In the news…8-12 June 2009
Veteran end-of-the-week pub trip survivor Michael O’Connor is here to keep you occupied midway through the excitement of Friday, with a round-up of the week’s major headlines.
Negotiations break down between SAG and AMPTP
Federally mediated negotiations between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the Screen Actors Guild have broken down after just two days. The AMPTP has blamed the SAG for being unwilling to accept the same deals that were concluded with other Hollywood unions, during what has been a tumultuous year in labour negotiations. … Continued
SAG and AMPTP to meet Thursday
Following acquiescence to Federal intervention in the Screen Actors Guild/Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers contract dispute, the two sides will meet face-to-face officially for the first time in five months on Thursday. Juan Carlos Gonzalez, the Federal mediator who bridged the divide in the Writers Guild of America/AMPTP negotiations earlier this year, has … Continued
SAG election results
The Screen Actors Guild, which represents the vast majority of actors in American film and television, has announced the results of their elections to the National Board Of Directors. The poll results were released on 18 September 2008, with approximately 25 per cent of the Guild’s membership in the Hollywood and New York divisions casting … Continued
Hollywood labour disputes have more desperate consequences than we realise
“Hollywood faces the threat of a second, crippling strike as the contract runs out between the biggest actors’ union and studio chiefs,” screams The Telegraph’s website at me this morning, while the news inevitably spreads like wildfire along the veins and conduits of the internet. “Actors strike to ruin Comic-Con!” “It’s happening again!” “Strike Two!”, … Continued
SAG strike rumours a ‘distraction’
As the deadline for the SAG-AMPTP contract negotiation looms overhead, the actors’ union president Alan Rosenberg has released a statement in an attempt to allay fears of a possible strike. “We have taken no steps to initiate a strike authorisation vote by the members of Screen Actors Guild. Any talk about a strike or a … Continued
AFTRA inks deal with AMPTP
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has signed a tentative deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers after weeks of negotiation. The deal was signed in the early hours of 28 May, and while it still has to be ratified by the union’s members in early June, it looks likely … Continued
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 … Continued
SAG talks stall
Contract negotiations between the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have reportedly made no progress nearly two weeks after commencing. In a lengthy statement, the AMPTP revealed that, “Although both parties have spent considerable time in the negotiating room, we are not yet close to an agreement.” The Hollywood … Continued
SAG Gives Guarantees To Indie Firms
The Screen Actors Guild has given assurances to independent film companies by offering contracts that guarantee completion of work beyond the 30 June contract expiry date between the union and the AMPTP. Doug Allen, the SAG’s chief negotiator and national executive director, had this to say on the proposal. “We are pleased to offer guaranteed … Continued
