SAG to Hold Strike Vote as Talks Collapse

SAG: members can keep working, pending talks

(NEWSER) - The contract between the Screen Actors Guild and Hollywood studios expired early today—but SAG has decided to let members keep working for the time being, E! Online reports. The two sides are scheduled to reconvene tomorrow. The Alliance of Motion Picture and TV Producers made it what it called a “final offer” last night, but SAG officials were skeptical. More»

(NEWSER) - The Screen Actors Guild overwhelmingly approved a new contract tonight with the big Hollywood studios, ending an impasse that raised the threat of another strike in the entertainment industry, reports the LA Times. The approval, pushed by a group of top-tier actors such as George Clooney and Tom Hanks, comes a year after the previous contract expired. More»

Union schedules meeting to iron out division

(NEWSER) - Facing dissent in the rank-and-file, the Screen Actors Guild is delaying a member vote to authorize a strike, the Los Angeles Times reports. The union’s board will push back balloting slated to begin January 2 to “address the unfortunate division and restore consensus” at a special meeting January 12, said SAG’s executive director. "This will provide us with more time to conduct member education and outreach on the referendum before the balloting,” Douglas Allen wrote to members. More»

Most episodes are already filmed

(NEWSER) - No offense, actors, but TV viewers probably wouldn't notice a Screen Actors Guild strike if it happens. Production schedules will suffer, but not nearly like the disruption last year's writers strike caused, reports the Los Angeles Times. Many scripted series are almost done filming for the season, and more of them are now covered by AFTRA, a rival artists agency. More»

AFTRA approval weakens strike chance

(NEWSER) - Despite a campaign by the larger Screen Actors Guild to convince them otherwise, members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists yesterday approved a new contract with Hollywood studios, the Los Angeles Times reports. The ratification is seen as signaling weak support for an actors strike as SAG continues negotiations on its own deal with studios. More»