AMPTP, SAG talks break down again (VAR, DHD, TW)

By Nancy Tartaglione-Vialatte

The AMPTP and SAG broke off three days of talks late Thursday as the studios issued a "last, best and final" offer which could be withdrawn in 60 days. The negotiations reportedly fell apart over the issue of the length of the new contract. The guild wants a feature-primetime deal to expire on June 30, 2011 - meaning that the deal would last just over two years - while the AMPTP wants a three year deal. At this point, eight months since the last contract expired, it feels like the stalemate itself could last three years...

"The terms in the offer are the best we can offer or will offer in light of the other five major labor industry deals negotiated over the past year and the extraordinary economic crisis gripping the world economy," the AMPTP said.

The majors say the full three years would be needed to provide stability amid a volatile outlook for the industry. However, a three year term would also push SAG's expiration to at least March 2012 and distance it from the WGA's in May 2011 and the DGA's and AFTRA's in June 2011.

Deadline Hollywood Daily reports that SAG's new task force "didn't bother to negotiate the New Media terms or the residuals issues or other equally vital stuff."

The new leadership was said to be "flabbergasted" when the AMPTP demanded the 3-year contract that would ensure SAG would be dead last again in bargaining.

The three days of talks represented only the second round of talks for SAG and the AMPTP since last July.

SAG's national board will meet Saturday to discuss the failed talks. Given the other happenings around town this weekend, the number of attendees will likely be greatly reduced. DHD notes that there are also questions as to whether the meeting is even legit because there is no official agenda.

As DHD reported yesterday, it's very possible that the Saturday plenary meeting is intended to get approval for the AMPTP's offer which the SAG National Majority knew was coming this week.

And, if Membership First can't muster a full contingent, the SAG National Majority could do almost anything it wants.