October 19, 2008 by Editor.

At first blush, the compromise resolution coming out of the SAG National Board today looks like it has a little something for everyone. There’s a request for a mediator, extra, and presumably more moderate, members of the negotiating committee, and, at the end, authorization of a strike vote. But, and it’s a huge “but,” on the issue of the strike authorization vote, it looks like all the board really did is stall, sending the timing of any strike authorization vote back to the negotiating committee - which is exactly where it always has been. Some may even argue that the moves make it a bit less likely that the negotiating committee will send out the strike authorization ballots.

The fact is that the negotiating committee always had the authority to send out a strike authorization ballot, but didn’t use it. At first the Membership First dominated committee realized it wouldn’t get the votes for a strike. Then, after the faction was repudiated in the recent elections, in a move to box in its Unite for Strength opposition, the committee sent the request for a strike ballot to the new National Board.Now that board has bent over backward to try to restart talks (something the AMPTP says isn’t going to happen) and, without firing the entire negotiating committee, has voted to add new members, and to request a federal mediator.

The AMPTP hasn’t exactly said no, but is hinting that it won’t make any difference. Here’s their statement:  

The AMPTP has successfully negotiated four major labor pacts with Hollywood Guilds this year, and we would like to close a fifth with SAG. That said, there is simply no justification for SAG to 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. 

So, assuming that everyone stays right where they are in their positions, we end up with the negotiating committee again having the power to send out a strike authorization ballot. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether an educational campaign will make any difference at that point.

Here’s the reaction from the professional media. The Hollywood Reporter seems to have it right, calling it a stall and noting the refusal to send out the strike ballot immediately, which we see as a recognition that the Membership First hard line tactics won’t fly. 

Variety punts, Dave McNary apparently not sure what to make of the situation.  The Los Angeles Times must not want to pay the overtime for someone who understands this stuff to work the weekend.

This one’s still developing. One of the things we want to look at is what this says about the new majority in the SAG board room - if it says anything at all.

Right now we think Unite for Strength has shown it has some real political and coalition building skills, surprisingly strong skills this early in its existence.

Posted in SAG Politics, Exhibit A - TV Theatrical | Print | 36 Comments »

October 19, 2008 by WW.

Here’s the release - analysis will follow: 

Los Angeles (October 19, 2008) – The Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors today passed the following resolution at its quarterly plenary in Los Angeles:

“In hopes of moving the Theatrical and TV negotiations forward, the national board hereby takes the following actions:

SAG will formally request a federal mediator be brought into the negotiations.

The Board adds four new members to the National Negotiating Committee, two from the Hollywood Division, one from the New York Division and one from the Regional Branch Division.

Adopted 96.72% to 3.28%Approval of the strike authorization would require 75 percent approval of members who vote. “We hope mediation will help move this process forward. This action by the board demonstrates our commitment to bargain with the strength of our unified membership behind us. Economic times are tough for all Americans, but we must take a stand for what is fair,” said Screen Actors Guild National President Alan Rosenberg.

“Our number one goal remains securing a good contract without a strike,” said SAG National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Doug Allen. “I am pleased by the board’s strong show of support for the national negotiating committee and look forward to meeting with the federal mediator and AMPTP representatives as soon as possible.”

Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) negotiating committees met for 44 days of formal negotiations and have not yet reached a successor agreement to the TV/Theatrical Agreement that expired June 30, 2008.

The board further resolved to add four new members to the negotiation committee, two from the Hollywood Division, one from the New York Division and one from the Regional Branch Division.

Posted in SAG Politics, Exhibit A - TV Theatrical | Print | 7 Comments »