Studio
SAG News
4/15/2009 at 7:33 AM by Amy Allen
The Screen Actors Guild national board meeting happens in three days. The word on the street is that the AMPTP might have to let SAG's contract expire at the same time as the contracts of AFTRA, the WGA, and the DGA, which is something the studios definitely don't want to do. What's the current status of the union drama?
Backstage breaks it down:
"SAG's TV-theatrical negotiations task force convened Tuesday [April 7] for two-plus hours to hear an update on negotiations from interim national executive director David White, who has been engaging in informal talks for several weeks with heads of several of the studios and networks represented by the AMPTP.
The contentious issue of the proposed agreement's expiration date -- a deal-breaker for the guild -- remains unresolved. The likelihood of an agreement hinges on which side will move on the date in exchange for improvements in other contract terms."
And The LA Times points out that back pay from the writer's strike is at stake as well:
"In return for a two-year rather than a three-year contract term, the actors union would agree to settle so-called force majeure claims it filed last year seeking more than $10 million in pay.
After the writers strike ended in February 2008, SAG lodged claims against more than 80 shows on behalf of "series regulars" -- which encompass stars as well as those with a recurring role in a show -- who lost their jobs and wages during the writers walkout. The strike shut down popular series such as "Lost," "CSI" and "Ugly Betty."
Basically, SAG's collecting the bargaining chips: A $10 million force majeure and the combined power of other talent guilds. To be continued April 18th...
Comments (0)