On July 13th, SAG-AFTRA made clear they would strike, both in solidarity with the WGA and their own struggles, as the unions pushed hard for fair wages and treatment of all staff. Streaming has completely changed the landscape of the entertainment world. The unions want their compensation and treatment to match. The AMPTP (and streaming services) are being idioticially stubborn, to such a point that an executive was quoted as wishing to simply wait out strikers until they could no longer afford to live comfortably.
Well, one actor is making sure he shows his support. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has shown he stands with fellow actors after donating what’s being called ‘a historic amount’ to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Relief Fund. (The Foundation is a non-profit organization associated with the union, but not part of it.)
After the announcement that SAG-AFTRA would be striking, Foundation president Courtney B. Vance and executive director Cyd Wilson penned a letter to 2,700 of the highest earners in the union, asking for help. Shortly after, Johnson responded, stating he wished to help as best he could. On a phone call with Vance, Johnson disclosed the amount he wished to send the union. A number large enough that its being kept confidential. But we do know it’s seven figures.
A Hero Off-Screen As Well As On
“It was a love fest. It’s like, ‘Man, you’re stepping up in a way that is allowing others to know the dire necessity of it,'” Vance said. “This is him saying, ‘In such a time as this, I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, whatever you need me to do.’ And that sends a huge message to other folks to do the same thing.” It is a huge relief for many members of SAG-AFTRA. These are emergency funds that can greatly help those on strike. Most union members can receive a grant of $1500. But depending on the severity — medical problems, emergencies, etc. — the grant can be up to $6000. Which means Johnson’s donation could literally help thousands of struggling actors in need. What a man.
It’s also setting an amazing example for the high-rollers of the actors guild. “It is a call to arms for all of us to know that we just have to step up however you can. If your step up is $10, step up. Because that $10 is going to help somebody. If it’s $10,000, if it’s $10 million, step up, because we have to,” Vance continued. “Everyone knows what happens when you go on strike, when you stand for something — as the saying goes, if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for everything — you can’t stand unless you have support underneath you, on the side, up top and up front. So Dwayne is letting everyone know, ‘I’m here. What are you going to do?.”
“He stepped up in a major, historic way to help us because he’s one of us,” Vance said. “We support our own.”
