SAG Members Dismiss Rumors Of Immediate Strike

Members of the Screen Actors’ Guild (SAG) have denied plans for an immediate
strike against Hollywood studios despite their contracts expiration on Monday
(30Jun08).

Union bosses have been involved in crucial contract talks with film and TV
studio bosses to prevent another strike similar to the The Writers Guild of
America’s walkout, which brought Hollywood to a standstill from November (07)
until February (08).

Actors have threatened walkouts at the time of their contracts expiration if
talks between the unions and major film studios failed to resolve a dispute
over pay and working conditions.

But despite the lack of resolution, SAG president and working actor Alan
Rosenberg has insisted a strike is not forthcoming in the immediate future.

He says, “We have taken no steps to initiate a strike-authorization vote.”

The SAG members dismissed a previously agreed deal between studio bosses and
members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) –
suggesting it undermines their own contract.

Members of the union called upon heavyweights Jack Nicholson and Ben Stiller
to urge AFTRA leaders to reject the deal just last week (begs23Jun08).

(JMA/PYN/MJ/ZN)