AFTRA to Start Talks Tomorrow; Wither SAG?

AFTRA just announced it will start negotiations on a new prime-time network deal with the AMPTP tomorrow, May 7, as planned. AFTRA had postponed twice to give SAG more time with the suits, but apparently that time has now run out.

No official word from SAG or the AMPTP on the state of their talks today, though a news blackout has largely been in effect since talks started April 15.

One SAG source told Strike Watch today that the typically warring factions within the guild--the Hollywood and New York branches--unanimously agreed on something during the three-plus weeks of talks: They rejected an offer from the studios of $25 per actor for unlimited re-use of original online content. That's a far sight worse than what the directors and writers got for the same deal: a maximum of $1,200 a year.

Said the source, who requested anonymity: "The offer would be so laughable if it weren't so serious."

--Andrew Salomon