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SCREEN ACTORS GUILD CONTINUES TO NEGOTIATE

Screen Actors Guild Continues to Negotiate
Members Continue to Work Past Contract Expiration

Los Angeles, June 30, 2008 – The Screen Actors Guild national negotiating committee has bargained with the AMPTP for the last 42 days and remains committed to negotiating a fair deal for actors as soon as possible.

The AMPTP today delivered a last-minute, 43-page offer that upon initial examination appears to be generally consistent with the AFTRA deal, particularly in its provisions relating to new media. The union is reviewing the complex package and will prepare a response to management once that analysis is complete.

The parties are scheduled to meet Wednesday, July 2, at 2:00 p.m.

“This offer does not appear to address some key issues important to actors. For example, the impact of foregoing residuals for all made-for-new-media productions is incalculable and would mean the beginning of the end of residuals,” said Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Doug Allen.

The Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic and Television Agreements covering television programs and motion pictures expire tonight at midnight. Work will continue and all SAG members should report to work and to audition for new work past the expiration date until further notice from the Guild.

Other Screen Actors Guild agreements, including the Commercials Contract, Basic Cable Live Action Agreement, Basic Cable Animation Agreement, Television Animation Agreement, Interactive Media Agreement, Internet Agreement, and Industrial Educational Contract are unaffected by the status of these negotiations, and members should continue to audition and work under them as usual.

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In other words, look out working actor because a strike is on the horizon and you’ll get hit from BOTH sides! When we strike, and yes I chose that word carefully, it will only be the Codified Basic and Television Agreement that we strike on. So for us working schmoes living under the Commercials Contract we should be fine, right!?! NOPE! What will happen is every major name in TV and Film will all the sudden decide voice-over, commercials, and Broadway all sound appealing as a way to make some pocket change during the strike. It will be that much harder to make a living in an environment already prone to suicidal tendencies thanks to the difficulty in acquiring work. That job in real estate isn’t looking so bad! Oh crap, thats right, we’re in a recession and the housing market is a mess. Singing telegram anyone?

Contact:
Pamela Greenwalt, Screen Actors Guild
323-440-2892 Cell