AMPTP TO SAG – ‘FINAL OFFER’ OR ‘LAST, BEST, FINAL OFFER’

While pundits in Hollywood debate whether the AMPTP has actually presented their ‘last, best and final offer’ or just their ‘final offer’, and what the difference is between a ‘final’ offer and a ‘last, best’ final offer, the two sides have broken off talks until next week.

SAG says it needs time to study the AMPTP proposal which the press says is the same deal that AFTRA is now voting on. What SAG really needs is time for AFTRA to count the votes on ratification of its deal with the producers. If the AFTRA deal is voted down, which doesn’t seem likely, SAG negotiators will have at least one arrow left in their quiver. If AFTRA delivers a ‘Yes’ vote to the producers, then SAG is really up against the wall.

SAG would presumably be left to settle for the AFTRA deal or call for a strike vote. As unlikely as it seems that AFTRA will vote down their agreement, it seems even more unlikely that 75% of SAG membership will vote for a strike. Not now. Not with the downturn in Hollywood real estate and the general softening of the national economy. Not with SAG being the last guild to settle with producers. Fair or not, SAG is in the no-win position of being at least the perceived culprit that is holding up production jobs for thousands of workers on both sides of the camera.

The AFTRA ratification results will supposedly be in around July 8th. Maybe SAG will find a way to settle prior to that date. That would mean SAG has to settle by Monday or be in a tight spot following announcement of results of the AFTRA deal.

Industry blogs are buzzing with stories of a conspiracy between AFTRA and the AMPTP to help AFTRA make a power grab in territory that has traditionally be under SAG jurisdiction. With AFTRA willing to contract work for lower rates, the theories go, AMPTP will funnel future ‘film’ work away from SAG and into AFTRA hands.

How can this happen since SAG represents actors for film? Well, since movies are now being shot on media other than film, there may be some upcoming disputes as to which guild has jurisdiction.

Conspiracy theories of one actor’s guild vs another. Yuck. Not a pretty picture whether it’s true or not.

Whatever happens over the next few weeks until SAG settles with the AMPTP, it looks like the business is in for some bumpy times in the not too distant future.