SAG Board Seeks Mediator in Dispute with Producers

LOS ANGELES, October 20:
The national board of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is asking for a federal
mediator to be brought in to its stalled negotiations with the Hollywood
producers, and has decided to ask its members if they want to authorize a
strike.

SAG’s contract with the
Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) expired at the end
of June. SAG rejected the AMPTP’s final contract offer in July, arguing over
new-media residuals. SAG attempted to resume negotiations last month, but the
AMPTP rebuffed that request, citing the union’s refusal to budge on certain
issues. Earlier this month, SAG’s negotiating committee asked its national
board for a strike authorization vote. The board is now sending the issue to
its 120,000 members. A strike authorization would require approval from at
least 75 percent of members who vote.

“We hope mediation will
help move this process forward,” said Alan Rosenberg, the president of the
union. “This action by the board demonstrates our commitment to bargain with
the strength of our unified membership behind us. Economic times are tough for
all Americans, but we must take a stand for what is fair.”

Doug Allen, SAG’s
executive director and chief negotiator, added: “Our number one goal remains
securing a good contract without a strike. I am pleased by the board’s strong
show of support for the national negotiating committee and look forward to
meeting with the federal mediator and AMPTP representatives as soon as
possible.”

Responding to the SAG
statement, the AMPTP said: “The AMPTP has successfully negotiated four major
labor pacts with Hollywood Guilds this year, and we would like to close a fifth
with SAG. That said, there is simply no justification for SAG to expect a deal
that is in excess of what the other Guilds negotiated in better economic times.
No matter what SAG does—whether it be authorizing a strike or following a
different approach—it will not change the harsh reality that currently
confronts our industry.”

—By Mansha Daswani