Hollywood actors' union seeks mediator in labor talks with studios
20/10/2008 16:56
Hollywood's major actors' union yesterday decided to request a federal
mediator for its labor contract talks with studios, and to seek strike
authorization from its members if mediation fails.
The National Board of
Directors of the 12,000-member Screen Actors Guild (SAG) almost unanimously
voted for the action at a meeting in Los Angeles, "in hopes of moving the
theatrical and TV negotiations forward," according to an SAG statement.
A
strike authorization, which requires the approval of 75 percent of members who
vote, would give the executive board the power to declare a strike if the
mediation fails.
"We hope mediation will help move this process forward,"
said SAG President Alan Rosenberg.
"This action by the board demonstrates our
commitment to bargain with the strength of our unified membership behind us," he
said.
Meanwhile, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
(AMPTP), which represents major studios and television networks in the contract
negotiations, said yesterday that it will not budge from its final offer.
The
group said its offer would increase pay to actors by a total of US$250 million
and increase residuals for new media, especially while the economy has gone
sour.
AMPTP said it has successfully negotiated four major labor pacts with
Hollywood guilds earlier this year, and SAG should not 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," said the AMPTP statement.
Representatives from SAG
and AMPTP had negotiated for 44 days without reaching a new contract to replace
the previous one that expired June 30.
Xinhua
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