Tom Cruise attends the “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” UK Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on June 22, 2023 in London, England.Photo:Stuart C. Wilson/Getty

Tom Cruise attends the “Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One” UK Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on June 22, 2023

Stuart C. Wilson/Getty

Tom Cruisespoke up during the Screen Actors Guild’s negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers before the unionwent on strike.

The actor, 61, appeared via Zoom at a meeting in June as SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP reps were bargaining across the table, a source confirmed to PEOPLE. Cruise shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence and the potential threats it imposes on actors, and also spoke in support of SAG’s proposals regarding stunt coordinators.

While many SAG-AFTRA members made presentations on key points and issues, Cruise was reportedly the most high-profile of the guest speakers during negotiations before the union’s deadline to make a new deal with production companies expired last Thursday.

The Hollywood Reporterreported Monday that Cruise also suggested SAG-AFTRA allow actors to promote their films during the strike in order to help the movie theater business.

A rep for Cruise did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland on July 13.CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty

Fran Drescher (L) looks on as National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speaks during a press conference at the labor union’s headquarters in Los Angeles, California, on July 13, 2023

CHRIS DELMAS/AFP via Getty

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“This is a very big deal and it weighed heavy on us. At some point, you have to say no, we’re not going to take it anymore,” she added during the speech. “The jig is up. … We demand respect. You share the wealth, because you cannot exist without us.”

Mario Tama/Getty

A sign reads ‘SAG-AFTRA Supports WGA’ as SAG-AFTRA members walk the picket line in solidarity with striking WGA (Writers Guild of America) workers outside Netflix offices on July 11, 2023 in Los Angeles

Prior to the strike, Cruise’s success with last year’sTop Gunsequel ledSteven Spielbergto proclaim the actor “saved Hollywood’s ass” at the Oscars nominee’s luncheon in Los Angeles back in February.

“Seriously,Top Gun: Maverickmight have saved the entire theatrical industry,” Spielberg, 76, could be heard saying in a video shared at the time.

Cruise most recently made multiple appearances atMission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part Onescreenings across the country togreet fans viewing his latest entryin the action franchise.

source: people.com