SAG meets on update; studios said to make a concession, with a hitch (THR, LAT)

By Nancy Tartaglione

SAG's negotiations task force met on Tuesday for a status update from interim national exec director David White. White has been engaged in informal talks with the heads of several of the studios and networks for the past few weeks. While The Hollywood Reporter says that one of the main sticking points - a new contract's expiration date - has yet to be resolved, The Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog indicates that the studios have conceded the point, with a hitch.

The studios have been pushing for a three-year contract that would start from the first day of ratification of a new deal. SAG, however, has held out for a retroactive agreement that would expire in two years putting its end date in line with that of the agreements reached by the other major guilds and thus allowing for a united front in future talks.

Without citing sources, the LAT says the studios are now willing to give in on the contract length issue, but that they are looking for SAG to agree to settle force majeure claims it filed last year.

Following the writers' strike, SAG lodged claims against more than 80 shows on behalf of series regulars who lost their jobs and wages during the walkout.

SAG's position was that producers violated a force majeure clause in the union's contract that entitled actors to receive roughly 2-1/2 weeks' pay if they were suspended as a result of an "act of God." But the studios accused SAG of overreaching.

Now, says the LAT, the studios want to impose a stricter interpretation of the force majeure clause and have offered to settle the outstanding claims for less than what the actors contend they are owed - how much less is not known, says the paper.

SAG interim Executive Director David White and Chief Negotiator John McGuire have indicated that they would accept the studios' demand, according to the LAT.

That will surely not sit well with White's opponents in the guild who maintain that the AMPTP's last, best and final offer is unacceptable. Previous reports have noted that the AMPTP was seeking to eliminate force majeure protection for actors. Some sort of concession on the AMPTP's position on the issue had been expected.

White and chief negotiator John McGuire plan to continue behind-the-scenes discussions with company heads in hopes of improving the offer to the point that they can recommend it to the national board for ratification.

No breakthrough is expected before SAG��s next national board meeting on April 18 and 19, says THR.