RSS Feeds
Breaking Down The SAG / AFTRA Squabble
Posted by Defamer Hollywood at 3:00 AM on April 2, 2008
There's nothing inherently sexy about the ongoing labour disputes between producers and writers, producers and directors, producers and actors and whatever other banal kerfuffles you care to conjure. But the SAG/AFTRA square-off pitting actors against producers and themselves is quite a tentpole-ready disaster in the making, setting up a showdown that could torch yet another slate of projects on Hollywood's horizon:
In the wake of Saturday's decision by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists to ditch its longstanding bargaining partnership with SAG on the feature-primetime contract, the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers held off Monday on deciding which union it will sit down with first.
SAG, which earlier spurned offers to start negotiations in March, now contends it should be first up because it covers all film work and the lion's share of TV work done by thesps. SAG prexy Alan Rosenberg noted in a message to members that studios want to end the uncertainty over a possible strike, further motivating the AMPTP to start talks as soon as possible as the June 30 contract expiration looms.
The political dynamics here are much uglier than earlier squabbles, and they have potentially dire consequences. AFTRA, which represents a minority of actors on cable and network television, has basically wanted to break off from its SAG partnership for years. Rosenberg, despite warnings from A-list membership like George Clooney and Meryl Streep, delayed negotiating a new deal until producers would be forced to play ball or face a work stoppage. That misfire gave AFTRA the out it needed to both split with SAG and, through what looks like a good-faith gesture toward producers, earn increased presence among SAG-heavy television programs.
How? Rosenberg's arrogance will likely send producers to bed with AFTRA first, and the terms of that settlement will dictate what SAG stands to gain — if anything — as the June 30 deadline approaches. Without the bargaining leverage it shared with AFTRA, SAG's only remaining alternative is a strike — the likelihood of which just boomed as the union awaits the AFTRA deal. So you get a labour stoppage and a thespian civil war all in one.
We're not sprinting for high land just yet, which is probably why we can still hear whispers about sketchy studios preemptively pushing an increasing number of film projects toward development limbo. Be sure to tell us if you've heard the same.
- SAG sees Leverage Lost [Variety]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Shumina
Posted 5:50 AM 2/4/08
...in solidarity.
Shumina
Shumina
Posted 5:50 AM 2/4/08
The more Rosenberg opens his yap, the less thrilled I am he ended up in the top seat. "Arrogance" is the head of the nail. I wonder if I should re-up my AFTRA membership.
Shumina
shutupitsmine
Posted 6:21 AM 2/4/08
I thought we agreed that there would be no more SAG/AFTRA coverage that ignored Justine Bateman.
shutupitsmine
HwoodHills
Posted 6:51 AM 2/4/08
This is a nightmare. AFTRA is a cheap, disgusting union that low balls rates so they can grab shows and give away residuals. Dual members in both SAG and AFTRA hate AFTRA because of their low ball quotes. An under 5 on a SAG job is something like $700 for one day's work. AFTRA allows them ten hours for $330 that can be split over two days. Then they allow that $330 to buy 15 days of re-runs with no residuals for performers. Not 15 airings, 15 DAYS. So they could technically run an episode non-stop for 24 hours, 15 days and teh actor wouldn't see a penny.
I realize this kind of money seems large to someone working a 9-5, but in the entertainment industry, with companies like Disney getting those deals and running shows multiple, multiple times?
It's a crime.
AFTRA should stick to newsmen and recording artists, not take away from their acting members.
Members who, by the way, are just as much at fault for not doing something to change all this.
These could be dark days ahead with the movement of shows being shot on HD Video and AFTRA being so willing to provide much cheaper options that benefit them earnings-wise and take away greatly from actors.
HwoodHills
Shumina
Posted 6:09 AM 3/4/08
@HwoodHills: It eventually bottoms out, though. You work to either pay the bills, because you love your craft, or both. Once you can no longer pay the bills, you realize just the shitty position you're in and steps can then be taken en masse to improve it. There's a reason I let my AFTRA go and it's for the reasons you mentioned. However, I can't say SAGs done a whole lot for me either and with Rosenberg closing doors...I can do nothing but shake my head and hope this thing works out before I'm out of work.
Shumina
mitchny
Posted 12:37 PM 2/4/08
AFTRA has wanted to break off with SAG for years? What have you been smoking? the last two merger attempts who voted over 60%? AFTRA. Who voted no? SAG.
as to H'wqood Hills obviously he/she has been reading the SAGazine and can quote it verbatim, but has not done any research to back up anything said here.
Anyone with sense would have voted to merge the last time since digital was facing us, but, no, the same crowd who now run SAG killed it...see they used to call themselves, SAVESAG, now their MemberFirst. They raised a bunch of money, stole a proprietary address list from SAG, and sent out misinformation like, "We are not in competition with AFTRA." Yeah...they think that since they always made movies on film therefore they will always make movies even on digital.
Wake up! Clean out the mess at the Guild--- Kick out the Memberfirsters who elect stars and then when they are too busy to come to meetings they send in the MFer Cronies to vote to go to war with AFTRA. Is that what you want your dues money to go to? Lawyer fees and court costs? Well, that is where this is all heading. So enjoy the ride.
mitchny