As the leadership of the Screen Actors Guild of America (SAG) persists in its stalemate with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) regarding the terms of the new prime time contract, a faction within SAG is accusing its bosses of fumbling negotiations.
The faction, called Unite for Strength, plans to challenge SAG leadership in the upcoming Guild elections on 18 September. The Unite for Strength candidates include Adam Arkin (Chicago Hope), Kate Walsh (Private Practice), Amy Brenneman (Judging Amy) and Doug Savant (Desperate Housewives).
Meanwhile, in an attempt to break the contract negotiations impasse, on 21 July the AMPTP placed an ad in the Los Angeles Times featuring quotes from the other four major Hollywood unions (including the Writers Guild and the Directors Guild of America) with whom the AMPTP has signed contracts. The ad notes that the AMPTP’s final offer to SAG would result in $250m in pay raises over three years and increases in minimum payments, pensions and health contributions. But the SAG leadership is still holding out for better terms.
Sources: Variety, Studio Briefing
