Bob Iger hit out at the strikes for fair wages in Hollywood (Picture: Getty Images for Vanity Fair)
Disney CEO and multi-millionaire Bob Iger has labelled the strikes for fair wages ‘disturbing’.
Hollywood is officially on strike as US union Sag-Aftra confirmed its first major members strike in more than 40 years, leading to the cast of Oppenheimer to walk out of their own premiere.
It comes in the middle of the strike from the Writers’ Guild of America (WGA) which began in May after failure to reach an agreement with trade association Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) over pay.
Now Disney CEO Iger has called the strikes of writers’ and actors for better wages’disturbing’ after the disruptions the industry already faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘This is the worst time in the world to add to that disruption,’ he told CNBC’s David Faber shortly before the actors’ strike was confirmed, but as the threat of it loomed.
He said he ‘understands any labour organisation’s desire to work on behalf of its members to get the most compensation and be compensated fairly based on the value that they deliver.’
He called the strikes ‘disturbing’ and said the unions’ expectations were not ‘realistic’ (Picture: North America)
Iger argued the industry had ‘negotiated a very good deal with the directors guild that reflects the value that the directors contribute to this great business.’
‘We wanted to do the same thing with the writers, and we’d like to do the same thing with the actors.’
The businessman said the ‘level of expectation that they have… is just not realistic.’
The millionaire CEO was revealed to have the potential to earn up to $27 million this year (Picture: Getty Images for Vox Media)
‘And they are adding to the set of the challenges that this business is already facing that is, quite frankly, very disruptive.’
He said that the writers’ strike, and the plan for the actors’ to join them, was ‘very disturbing to me.’
Iger was reportedly paid $15 million (£11.4m) in 2022. It was revealed last year by company filings that he has the potential to earn up to $27 million (£20.5m) in 2023.
However this is a pay cut compared to the compensation of $45.9 million(£35.4m)he reportedly earned in 2021.
Iger had been due to step down as Disney CEO in 2020, with the role taken over by Bob Chapek, however Chapek was again replaced by his predecessor in 2022.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Oppenheimer cast laugh and cuddle on red carpet for UK premiere moments before walking out on strike
MORE : Hollywood goes on strike as Sag-Aftra officially announces walk-out after talks break down
The businessman said the ‘level of expectation that they have… is just not realistic.’
