SAG Agrees to Joint Bargaining with AFTRA

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK: The Screen Actors Guild’s national board has agreed to joint bargaining with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) for a new prime-time TV and theatrical contract.

AFTRA’s board agreed to the joint bargaining two weeks ago. The contracts that AFTRA and SAG currently have with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers—which were negotiated separately—expire in June 2011. Negotiations for the new deal could begin as early as this October.

"This is a positive step that delivers a significant benefit to our members," said David White, SAG’s national executive director and chief negotiator. "There is no disputing that we are stronger together and joint negotiation of these contracts makes sense for both our organizations."