Entertainment Community Fund Officials Warn That Strikes’ Impact Will Be Felt “For Months To Come”
deadline.comOfficials with The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund) are warning that while yesterday’s end to the SAG-AFTRA strike is welcome news, the economic and health impact of the months-long work stoppage “will impact the industry for months to come.” “We are pleased that the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Committee and AMPTP have reached a tentative agreement,” said Joseph Benincasa, President and CEO of the Entertainment Community Fund, in a statement, “but we are very concerned about the long-term impact that the work stoppage will continue to have on people directly and indirectly affected.” According to Benincasa, the Fund has distributed more than $11.2 million to more than 5,200 people working in film and television. “It will be months before the industry fully recovers,” he said, “and we encourage those in need to reach out to the Fund.
And we hope that those who can help, continue to do so.” RELATED: SAG-AFTRA Picket Line Photos: A Look Back At Actors Who Hit The Streets During 118-Day Strike The national human services organization addresses the needs of people who work in performing arts and entertainment with services focused on health and wellness, career and life, and housing.
In its statement today, the Fund notes that while both the SAG-AFTRA and earlier WGA strikes have now ended, people who are unemployed will need to find new jobs or wait until their prior work resumes. RELATED: SAG-AFTRA Lauds New Deal, Valuing It At Over $1B With “Unprecedented” Provisions & “Extraordinary Scope” “Many have back rent that is owed and are facing potential eviction,” reads the statement. “Others have lost health insurance and have additional medical expenses, with others needing increased mental health
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