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The federal mediator had arranged the first formal face-to-face in months between the two parties. But, given the acrimonious history of their stalled negotiations, it’s not surprising that there was no progress. The question, just as it was before the economic climate collapsed, is what happens next? SAG seemed to answer that by issuing this statement about the breakdown of talks:
“Our leadership was optimistic that federal mediation would help to move our negotiations forward, but despite the Guild’s extraordinary efforts to reach agreement, the mediation was adjourned shortly before 1:00 AM today.
“Management continues to insist on terms we cannot responsibly accept on behalf of our members. As previously authorized by the National Board of Directors, we will now launch a full-scale education campaign in support of a strike authorization referendum. We will further inform our members about the core, critical issues unique to actors that remain in dispute.
“We have already made difficult decisions and sacrifices in an attempt to reach agreement. Now it’s time for SAG members to stand united and empower the national negotiating committee to bargain with the strength of a possible work stoppage behind them.
“We remain committed to avoiding a strike but now more than ever we cannot allow our employers to experiment with our careers. The WGA has already learned that the new media terms they agreed to with the AMPTP are not being honored. We cannot allow our employers to undermine the futures of our members and their families.
“No timeline has been set for the mailing or return of the strike authorization ballots.”
SAG’s National Board left it up to the guild’s national negotiating committee to determine if and when mediation became fruitless. Once that point was reached, then the referendum seeking a strike authorization goes out to members. 
I’m told this process takes anywhere from 30 to 45 days, including three weeks for the ballots to come back to SAG. If the vote is yes to empower a strike by at least 75% of eligible SAG members who return ballots, this still does not mean a strike will be called. Because then it’s up to the National Board to decide if and when to call for the work stoppage. So Hollywood is a step closer to another strike — but it still may not happen. Now everything is up to SAG members. Nevertheless, the timing could threaten the Golden Globes and Academy Awards again.
The AMPTP got out first word of the talks breakdown with this statement:
“The AMPTP accepted the federal mediator’s invitation to meet with SAG in hopes of concluding our seventh major agreement of 2008. The Producers met for two days with SAG at the request of federal mediator Juan Carlos Gonzalez. The parties were unable to reach an agreement and the mediator has adjourned the mediation process.”
Long Stalled SAG-AMPTP Talks Resume
SAG National Board Requests Mediator Before Strike Authorization Vote
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Along with most other people in the country, especially those of us who are losing our jobs and our benefits, as a DIRECT result of SAG’s stubbornness, I am fed up reading about SAG striking. Considering Citibank’s stock is now worth approximately 1/10th of what it was a month ago, how about taking 1/5 of what you were offered months ago and walking away happy ??
My post-production company has already laid off a large percentage of my co-workers, and my job is none too safe. It is time to go hat in hand to the SMPTP and state the obvious: “This is not the time for a strike, for many reasons…can we please all just try to get back to work, and when the economy is healthier, we will revisit the issues which have held us up for so long…”
PLEASE – use some common sense, and make a deal, to make a deal later on, and let us all try to get back to a semblance of normality. Along with so many others, I’m just a month or two from having to leave my house of many years, and find another place to live…
THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO STAND FIRM, it’s the time to take a firm stand that the industry needs to be back to normal, and we all would like to work – right now !!
There is no way on God’s green earth that they’re gonna get a strike authorization in this economy. Even the waiters pretending to be actors are finding jobs scarce and tips even scarcer. I believe in SAG’s cause– I really do. But another work shutdown in this town — which is largely working despite everything happening around us — is going to create an us-versus-them atmosphere which is going to make the WGA strike look like a walk in the park. The actors will have NO support. None.
Editor J,
But I thought new media wasn’t making any money? SAG just wants the free-air window for online media to close so that while the studios and networks make money, the talent makes money. But management kept saying that they aren’t making any money off this stuff so how can it possibly cost them anything to concede the issue?
Just shows how full of it the studios are on this. They *are* making money on new media and they still don’t want to share, not unless they have a gun to their head.
Well too bad for them, since this is all based on percentages then they can afford to pay the talent.
I am disgusted by the blind that continue to say SAG is stubborn. Open your eyes to reality. Take a look around. See the AMPTP for what they really are. Stubborn, greedy, arrogant children! SAG has dropped many important demands from the table, yet the AMPTP hasn’t dropped a thing. Instead, what do they do? They walk away from the table like spoiled little children not willing to play fair. It’s the AMPTP who wont play ball. Now the WGA has begun to see just what kind of deal they ended up with. SAG won’t let its members be fed the same rubbish that’s being offered up around town by the AMPTP. SAG is not a low-ball Union like AFTRA. SAG will play ball… but knows better than to take what is clearly another raw deal from the AMPTP.
Well, here’s one actor who’s ready, willing and able to go on strike. It’s high time we stand up and fight for what’s fair. Nothing more … but nothing less! The sooner we refuse our services, the sooner we turn this ship around. I am disgusted by the blind who continue to say SAG is stubborn. Open your eyes to reality. Take a look around. See the AMPTP for what they really are. Stubborn, greedy, arrogant children! SAG has dropped many important demands from the table, yet the AMPTP hasn’t dropped a thing. Instead, what do they do? They walk away from the table like spoiled little children not willing to play fair. It’s the AMPTP who wont play ball. Now the WGA has begun to see just what kind of deal they ended up with. SAG won’t let its members be fed the same rubbish that’s being offered up around town by the AMPTP. SAG is not a low-ball Union like AFTRA. SAG will play ball… but knows better than to take what is clearly another raw deal from the AMPTP.
Hollywood’s spin only works when goods are being produced. And very few goods are being produced right now. “Largely working”? Where? I can’t count on two hands the number of professional above-the-line people I know who currently have a contract that’s going nowhere fast. How can you work in this town and not recognize hype? All the “little” people have been out of the loop for months, and now that the noose is getting tighter, the “bigger” people are starting to say “Hey! Wait a min-” before their words are choked off. I believe in America – so I voted. I believe in Hollywood too, so I will strike with SAG.
Please, by all means send out that Strike Authorization Ballot. I’ll mark it no and mail it back before before the first post mailing piece of misleading propaganda hits my mail box. While you’re at it send a real ballot for the “last, best final offer” out (not some non-secret opinion poll) and lets see which one passes kiddies…For us to be holding the line for more than the other guilds got when other workers in other industries are taking concessions to keep their jobs and losing them en masse is arrogant and contemptable.
And so now SAG will pull us all down with them. F**k SAG and F**K those who will vote to strike – you will lose more than you ever would have gained times 10 and take us all down. No solidarity and NO SUPPORT from this Teamster!
Dear Editor J,
While I feel for you, I have to say, why on earth should SAG actors accept a shittier contract just to keep you working.
Actors live off feast-or-famine, take HUGE financial risks to succeed at their craft, but now, they’re to earn less money so you have a little more job security? Please, get real.
THIS IS WHY THERE ARE NO PAYMENTS TO WGA. THEH GREEDY BASTARDS DON’T WANT ANYONE TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE MAKING.
NOW IS THE TIME TO REALIZE THAT UNLESS ALL THE UNIONS STICK TOGETHER WE ARE ALL SCREWED.
THE COMPANIES ARE TRYING TO BUST ALL THE UNIONS BEFORE LIBERALISM COMES BACK.
SAG strike =
1 – More AFTRA contracts (you don’t like your terms now SAG actors, wait until you see what AFTRA contracts have to offer….)
2 – More productions moving out of California
3 – More talented below the line crew members with years of experience devoted to their craft, losing their houses, health insurance, etc.
4- A ton of struggling actors and background actors who vote yes to a strike having a coronary when they realize that if their union strikes they cannot collect unemployment! Wow, you lost your apartment through all of this, but hey Bruce Willis and Julia Roberts are getting better residuals! And the stars of Lost (shooting in Hawaii) are getting a few extra pennies when their show streams on ABC.com! So hey it was worth it huh!
Since Nov. of last year, this town has never been the same and if SAG strikes, it’s all over. Bye, Bye Hollywood as everyone knew it not so long ago…
By the way, what bothers me most is when people talk about strikes interfering with awards shows…Geez. A failing national economy, Hollywood and it’s crews and talent going to pieces and people give a crap about giving each other awards! Remember everyone, make sure a strike does not interfere with the dress up night that give statuettes to those movies and stars that the studios paid the most to advertise in the trades!
And on a final note, start paying attention to the new passport laws, you’ll need one to work in Canada when all the productions go back there again like in the early and mid-90′s!
Signed,
A longtime member of SAG & AFTRA, married to a below-the-line crew member
Time for a bunch of out of work actors to put the working actors out of work. It’ll be just like the WGA strike – losers who haven’t worked in years feeling like real writers because they march around with picket signs.
No one can legitimately accuse SAG of not being reasonable in their negotiations. If anything, a close look at the AMPTP reveals that they [the AMPTP] are clearly attempting to drive a wedge between not only AFTRA and SAG, but also with the other Guilds as well. Even when the AMPTP signs a lousy contract they don’t honor it (witness the non-payments from “new Media” etc.), so why shouldn’t SAG ask for what’s right and fair?
Having spent one wet and cold winter on the line, I’m prepared to do it again, if for no other reason than to support every actor who stood shoulder with me as I walked the line.
Hi Paul,
I think what Editor J is trying to say is that actors quibbling with the studios over Internet residuals is like the waiter arguing with the restaurant manager over a bigger slice of the tips…on the good ship Titanic.
SAG is shooting for dumbest organization of the new millennium!
Seriously, how stupid can they be?
If SAG doesn’t take a stand now, chances are they’ll never be able to revisit the issue. When the time comes to renew the next contract, everyone saying a strike shouldn’t be called now will be saying the same thing then. The point is management will never give in EVER unless forced to do so, leaving SAG with no choice but to make the difficult call. And don’t say no one will support them. Since the present contract already isn’t being honored, I’m sure the Writer’s Guild has more than enough motivation to march lockstep alongside SAG. As for the non-Hollywood types out there, they’re already pissed as hell at what the management types have already done to screw the economy, so it’s not like they’re going to be supporting the AMPTP on this one either. 2009 and 2010 are going to be very rough whether SAG strikes or not in any event. Better they should protect their own interests and everyone else figure out how to deal with theirs.
GIven the imploding economic environment, why should we sign up to a deal that screws us royally and will never be revisited? I’m truly sorry for everyone and anyone who is suffering currently, but things are likely to get a whole lot worse and if collective bargaining means anything at all, it means looking out for the members’ interests in LEAN times particularly.
How dare the AMPTP, a collection of obscenely remunerated studio chieftains, try to throw responsibility for any hardship caused back onto the union representing the vastly lower paid workers they exploit? It’s positively Orwellian. The fact that they bullied and starved the other, less powerful guilds into submission is no reason for us to roll over. This fight will set the parameters for decades, not three years as they would have us believe – and lied about before – so let’s take it to them and force them to react as their share-prices nosedive.
I’m not cavalier, just resolute and optimistic that, ultimately, the studios are both pragmatic and responsible to their shareholders. We CAN force a compromise from them, if we stay clear and united.
Let’s give SAG the ammunition to have a fair fight and, very probably, all will be well without a stoppage. If we don’t, the committee are toothless and the rights we lose will never be clawed back. Ever. Lean times or fat.
People like “Editor J” (above) still don’t get it. SAG isn’t asking for more anything, and the studios are profiting greatly from online media.
Get it? We (SAG) only want the same deal we already have – to get a share of the profits only from online media as we do/have from our traditional media contracts. It’s how we make our living.
The AMPTP is using the current economy situation to “cry poor”, but the truth is that they’re richer than ever and they can absolutely afford this. Again, we would only share in the profits of any new media, not take anything (except our paychecks) from production costs.
Along with the AMPTPs ridiculous demands to use non-union actors in their profit-making new media endeavors, they also want SAG to write off some $60 MILLION dollars in monies already owed to SAG members, plus remove the force majeure clause from the current contract. Yeah, right.
There are a couple of other things the AMPTP is trying to take away from us, which won’t happen either. And even if SAG were to let these things go for now and come back to them at a later contract negotiation date, everybody should be clear by now that the AMPTP will not honor their promises and bargain in good faith in the future, any more than they are now.
Put yourselves in SAG’s shoes: would you agree to earn about half of your income for the rest of your career?
None of this, none of this has anything whatsoever to do with the economy. I feel bad that anyone is having a rough go if it, but you all have to understand that none of this is SAG’s fault.
“Now it’s time for SAG members to stand united and empower the national negotiating committee to bargain with the strength of a possible work stoppage behind them.” I don’t want a strike either, but I tire of this unfair bullshit.
Where’s my authorization form, and where do I sign?
A poster ironically calling him- or herself “common sense” wrote that should they strike, “SAG will have no support and outright antagonism from all quarters.”
Not from ALL quarters, buddy. Not even close.
And a name-calling mudslinger posting under the name “Stricter Membership Laws” suggested that the WGA strike was the result of “losers who haven’t worked in years feeling like real writers because they march around with picket signs.” If that’s so, why would they ratify the contract in such large numbers — especially such a CRAPPY one?
In fact, WGA voting privileges are rescinded after 48 months of failing to meet the earnings thrshold.
Seems the shills are marshalling already.
Here is another SAG actor that will vote no on strike authorization.
How many lives must be destroyed right now? This has been so mismanaged I can hardly believe anyone even follows these idiots. I will not stand by and watch this town be destroyed by Rosenberg.
I dont know where they think the support will come from. All SAG actors I know arent even getting auditions right now, and certainly wont vote for a strike.
GOOD LUCK…..You are gonnna need it
The studios are already not paying the new media payments they agreed to in writing with the WGA. They are not paying the force majeure payments they agreed to in writing with SAG. Why on earth should SAG agree to a written contract now, on the verbal promise of things being better in the next contract? Because the studios have shown their word can be trusted?
Yeah, the economy sucks. But, the studios are taking advantage of that by laying people off even before the strike. They treat the people that help them make millions of dollars a month like crap, and some of those same people just say “thank you sir, may I be treated like crap some more.” Guess what? Strike or no, you are going to get laid off if the studios feel like doing so. At least lose your job for a hope for things getting better. Not just because a mogul needs to make his club membership fee by saving your salary.
Protest SAG – Monday morning at:
5757 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
360 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017
Non-violent legal protest march for all indusrty workers including SAG members who oppose a strike. Please be there!
Reading the possibility that SAG will call and get a strike vote is so frightening I almost can’t sleep at night. I worry about the economy of my country and my business. It’s unnerving to consider that the plight of my career and home and retirement is in dire straights, and that I can’t do anything about it. I hear and understand everyone’s position surrounding their jobs, but I beg that we choose to work, even with the idea of not having the best contract in place now. If SAG can find a way to agree to this contract, albeit not the contract they want, and agree that this is not the time to take our industry into further recession, they would be honored as heroes, now this is a cause I would stand behind and support.
Editor J,
I hope you’re a better editor than you are a writer, though somehow I doubt that. What’s the point of starting off your fifth paragraph by asking SAG to “please” accept a deal, when in your first paragraph you told them to take “one-fifth” of what they’ve been offered?
Something makes me think that I’m one-fifth the gutless pussy that you are.
The studios will start to claim that a severe recession is not the time for SAG to be striking, but the truth is that it’s the PERFECT TIME for SAG to walk out. CBS stock is at four bucks and change, down from $31 a year ago. They are staring into the abyss. Edging up to that abyss are News Corp and Viacom, with Sony, TimeWarner and GE not all that far behind. In fact, NBC/Universal is one of the biggest generators of free cash flow for GE right now while their other businesses, especially GE Capital, are hemorrhaging. The studios are all in a MUCH worse position than they were when they let the WGA walk out. If SAG were asking for something that would change the business model, then the studios would have no choice but to let them strike and hope for an advantage. But if you look at what SAG is asking for, it’s a minimal improvement over the WGA and DGA deals, and it’s in an area that will not cost the studios real money for a decade.
This is now a big game of chicken, but the studios know they have to cave. Last year’s writers strike killed their fall schedule and revs, and they can’t let that happen again.
My proposal — get one of the kingpins of your town to split the spread down the middle. Offer SAG and the studios the WGA/DGA deal plus half what their asking for. SAG is scared and will take it. Studios will avoid a strike that get them nothing but another chance to look macho. And after they got their asses handed to them by the writers, I doubt these studio chiefs want to take the chance of being embarrassed again.
Of course nothing happens without, and until, SAG membership authorizing a strike vote. Once that happens I predict people come to their minds quickly and a deal gets done stat.