Are We In for Another Strike?

Just when you thought things were at peace in TV world, another possible work stoppage looms on the horizon…

The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists contract with the AMPTP expires June 30th. But SAG is taking its sweet time getting to the bargaining table, which is making people nervous.

People were made even more nervous by SAG’s announcement that it will offer “guaranteed completion contracts” to indie feature producers, just like the WGA did for more than 20 companies during the writers’ strike. This announcement is a sign that SAG is not expecting a quick resolution to talks—when they do finally begin.

SAG President Alan Rosenberg has said the guild won’t be ready to negotiate until April, but AFTRA and actors such as George Clooney are pushing for the negotiations to start sooner. AFTRA President Roberta Reardon sent a letter to Rosenberg to let him know if SAG is not ready to negotiate by March 31st that it will start bargaining on its own. This would diminish SAG’s leverage at the bargaining table, but Rosenberg has not responded publicly to the letter.

Meanwhile, film studios have ramped up production in anticipation of a possible strike.

It just makes you want to cry, doesn’t it?...