SAG Opens Commercial Talks While Studio Stalemate Continues

The AMPTP’s willingness to negotiate for the first time since November also indicated they might give way on some issues. One would think even president Alan Rosenberg and guild 1st VP/Membership First spokesperson Anne-Marie Johnson would be more inclined to come to some kind of consensus in order to focus on the commercials contract talks beginning next week in New York. 
 

Entertainment attorney and blogger Jonathan Handel speculated in TheWrap last week whether “Alan and Anne-Marie will try to spike the deal.” Today, Handel criticizes the AMPTP for refusing to make a few minor adjustments in SAG’s favor – on French Hours, for example – as a sign of good faith. In Handel’s view, sending the deal to SAG’s membership without the national board’s recommendation could backfire. If the members vote no (as they did in the unofficial “push” poll in September), the producers will have no choice but to make those minor adjustments when they eventually meet again with the task force. Is getting rid of guaranteed meal periods really that important to the studios?  

And if you just can’t get enough of labor palaver, check out a panel entitled “How Will Labor Discord Change Hollywood?” at 7:30 Monday night at the ArcLight Sherman Oaks. Moderated by L.A. Times Editorial Board Member Jon Healey, panelists will include AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgepeth, SAG Unite for Strength spokesperson Ned Vaughn, UCLA Law professor David Ginsburg, Veoh Founder and Chief Innovation Officer Dmitry Shapiro, and Jonathan Handel.

 

1 | 2