SAG: The Show Must Go On, for Now

Actors' union agrees to let members work under terms of expired deal, until further notice; talks with studios to resume Wednesday

By Natalie Finn Jul 01, 2008 2:21 AMTags
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The Screen Actors Guild has agreed to disagree for the moment.

As the clock on the union's contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers continues to tick toward its 12:01 a.m. expiration date, SAG announced Monday night it has agreed to let members continue to work under the terms of their existing deal until further notice.

The two sides are scheduled to reconvene Wednesday afternoon.

The AMPTP, which represents major studios and networks, issued a last-minute offer this evening reportedly worth an additional $250 million in compensation to working actors, but SAG executive director and chief negotiator Doug Allen indicated the stipulations aren't quite up to snuff for them yet.

"This offer does not appear to address some key issues important to actors," Allen said in a statement. "For example, the impact of forgoing residuals for all made-for-new-media productions is incalculable and would mean the beginning of the end of residuals."

A spokeswoman for the alliance said its reps will meet with SAG's people on Wednesday to further discuss and explain the current offer, not to entertain counterproposals.

"In short, our final offer to SAG represents a final hope for avoiding further work stoppages and getting everyone back to work," the AMPTP said in a statement.

The latest proposal was described as comparable to the tentative deal the AMPTP struck with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists last month.

The results of AFTRA's vote on the new deal are expected in by July 8.