The Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers
each issued blistering statements about the other's negotiating tactics Thursday
that suggested that the "de facto strike" that currently has stalled motion picture
production in Hollywood will not be brought to an end soon. SAG's statement said that the
union's leaders believe that it is possible to complete negotiations and secure a
fair deal before the expiration of the current agreement" on June 30. The statement
was issued shortly after union president Alan Rosenberg remarked that he was skeptical
that an agreement could be reached before that date. (Daily Variety reported
that SAG's strategy may be to drag its feet in negotiations until July 7, the day
when results of AFTRA's membership vote on a new contract are announced. SAG has authorized
the expenditure of a reported $150,000 to "educate" AFTRA members about the perceived
shortcomings of its deal with the AMPTP.) In its own statement, the AMPTP said, "Any
effort by SAG to drag out these negotiations past June 30 would be a disservice
to the people in this industry whose livelihoods are being put on hold. SAG's inability
to close this deal has already put the industry into another de facto strike."
13/06/2008
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