AMPTP walks away from SAG negotiations

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) has walked away from negotiations with the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG), citing their upcoming contract renewal talks with another actors’ union as well as the unwillingness of the SAG to back down on what they have termed “unreasonable proposals”.

In separate press releases, the two organisations have verbally sparred over the reasons behind the breakdown in communication. The SAG has said that, “the AMPTP suspended negotiations with SAG today over the objections of SAG’s negotiating committee. The committee had urged that the AMPTP continue discussion and had offered to negotiate around the clock if necessary in order to secure an agreement.” In counterpoint, the AMPTP said: “This round of SAG negotiations ended without an agreement because SAG simply refused to recognise the fundamental business and labour principles that have already been accepted by directors, writers and producers.”

One of the more startling pieces of information to come out of the proceedings, however, through Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily blog, is the combative language used by AMPTP executives, which one source is quoted as relating that, “The first thing that came out of [AMPTP Chief Negotiator] Nick Counter’s mouth was, ‘These proposals are unreasonable. Well, I guess you’d better prepare for a strike.’”

We will continue to bring you updates on this story as it progresses.