AMPTP and SAG to meet again Wednesday

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By Brian Frederick

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 7/01/08 — “All members should continue to report to work and to audition for new work past the expiration date until further notice from the Guild. Such work will be covered under the terms of the expired television and theatrical agreements.” SAG wrote to its members.

At 12:01 a.m. (PST) Tuesday, the Screen Actor’s Guild contract and the AFTRA contract with the AMPTP expired. SAG has made it clear to the studios that a strike is not in the best interest of its members. Monday was the 42^nd consecutive day of wrangling between the AMPTP and SAG. The expiration of the contract between the two entities means that any provision to not strike by SAG or not lockout actors by the studios is no longer in effect. Meaning that both sides are free to do either. The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have a tentative agreement in place.

SAG reported the AMPTP today delivered a last-minute, 43-page offer that upon initial examination appears to be generally consistent with the AFTRA deal, particularly in its provisions relating to new media. The union is reviewing the complex package and will prepare a response to management once that analysis is complete.

A strike authorization letter from the SAG board to its members would take nearly two weeks to complete and would require at least 75% approval.

Now that the contract has expired for SAG and AFTRA, AFTRA’s immediate task is complete and their ratification vote is to be counted by July 8. AFTRA’s members have made it clear to the press that they will vote for ratification. SAG on the other hand has only one option since they will not strike and that is to negotiate relentlessly until they and the AMPTP can compromise on a tentative agreement. SAG has a legitimate concern if they do secure a better contract than AFTRA’s. It is likely that the studios will use the lower expense AFTRA contract which could make AFTRA better suited to expand its market share and build a stronger relationship with the studios.

Although SAG has informed its member to go to work today as if everything is normal, business patterns are still being interrupted and studios have to think twice about new productions.

The parties are scheduled to meet Wednesday, July 2, at 2:00 p.m.

“This offer does not appear to address some key issues important to actors. For example, the impact of foregoing residuals for all made-for-new-media productions is incalculable and would mean the beginning of the end of residuals,” said Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Doug Allen.

The Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic and Television Agreements covering television programs and motion pictures expire tonight at midnight. Work will continue and all SAG members should report to work and to audition for new work past the expiration date until further notice from the Guild.

Other Screen Actors Guild agreements, including the Commercials Contract, Basic Cable Live Action Agreement, Basic Cable Animation Agreement, Television Animation Agreement, Interactive Media Agreement, Internet Agreement, and Industrial Educational Contract are unaffected by the status of these negotiations, and members should continue to audition and work under them as usual. The parties are scheduled to meet Wednesday, July 2, at 2:00 p.m.

Other Screen Actors Guild agreements, including the Commercials Contract, Basic Cable Live Action Agreement, Basic Cable Animation Agreement, Television Animation Agreement, Interactive Media Agreement, Internet Agreement, and Industrial Educational Contract are unaffected by the status of these negotiations, and members should continue to audition and work under them as usual.

As of Monday night SAG had yet to request a formal contract extension and the studios had stated they are more inclined to sign a formal agreement rather than extend the existing one, though that is wht apparently happened.

SAG is fighting on multiple fronts, with AMPTP on one side and AFTRA on the other. A poor contract with the AMPTP could cost the SAG board its job in the next SAG election and a really good contract with the AMPTP could cost its members jobs if the studios go looking for cheaper work through AFTRA.

The knock-down drag out fight SAG insinuated with the AMPTP is sure to continue with AFTRA once contract negations have ended with agreements.

Both SAG and AFTRA have enlisted heavy duty A-list stars to represent either side for the up and coming AFTRA ratification vote. Of AFTRA’s 78,000 members 44,000 are joint members with SAG. SAG’s board believes AFTRA has sold out to the studios which has weakened their negotiating power with the AMPTP. Tom Hanks is supporting AFTRA with a “yes” vote while Jack Nicholson is on the side of SAG. Peacemaker George Clooney is taking a neutral position declaring that both sides are right in their cause, and perhaps he will broker a treaty.