Actors' union: No strike - yet

2009-01-14 12:00

Los Angeles - Leaders of Hollywood's biggest actors union ended a two-day meeting here on Tuesday, but failed to set a date for a referendum that could lead to a potentially devastating walkout.

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) board met during a two-day, 30-hour showdown to discuss divisions within the union over plans to hold a strike authorisation ballot following the breakdown of contract talks with Hollywood producers.

The meeting ended with no new date for the authorisation ballot, originally scheduled to take place on January 2 before being postponed amid howls of protest from moderate members opposed to a strike.

"No mailing date has been set for the previously approved TV/Theatrical strike authorisation referendum," the SAG statement said.

"We have no further comment."

Leverage

Efforts to replace lead negotiator Doug Allen by members opposed to a strike were unsuccessful, the statement added.

SAG leaders said in December they would call a referendum to obtain strike authorisation from the union's 120 000 members.

Although union leaders have said they want to avoid a stoppage, they argued a vote authorising a strike would give them greater leverage at the bargaining table with Hollywood producers.

The actors union has been in a standoff with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) since a previous contract expired in June. Fresh attempts to broker a deal foundered in November.

The actors union is holding out for a greater share of royalties from sales and showings of work screened on the internet.

The AMPTP said the actors' demands were unreasonable and have refused to improve a final offer made in June, similar to other agreements reached with writers, directors and a smaller actors union.

- AFP