SAG and AFTRA Together Again?

SAG just confirmed a rumor that's been swirling around blogs like SAGWatch.net today. In addition to getting a mediator involved in the TV/Theatrical talks -- and giving the negotiating committee power to call for a strike authorization vote should mediation fail -- it looks like the board is (almost) on-board to bargain the Commercials Contract with their old pals at AFTRA.

Here's what SAG has to say:   

"SAG National Board of Directors Approves Conditions that Will Permit Joint Bargaining with AFTRA on Commercials Contracts

Los Angeles (October 20, 2008)—The Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors meeting in Los Angeles Saturday, October 18, approved a proposed agreement outlining conditions to permit joint bargaining with AFTRA for the Commercials Contracts under the terms of the Phase 1 agreement.

The AFL-CIO and its Department of Professional Employees helped facilitate the proposed agreement. The exact terms of the proposed agreement, which is still subject to modification until deemed final, are confidential. Committees delegated by each individual union will meet to review and approve the final agreement language.

The Board also received an informational briefing on the Guild’s outreach program to inform members regarding the Booz Allen Hamilton Commercials Study findings jointly commissioned by SAG, AFTRA and the advertising industry’s bargaining representative, the Joint Policy Committee (JPC). SAG and AFTRA representatives are delivering the presentations in joint member meetings in various cities in preparation for upcoming Commercials Contracts Wages and Working Conditions meetings.

After a 5-month extension agreed to by SAG, AFTRA and the JPC on August 27, the Commercial Contracts will expire March 31, 2009."

Are AFTRA and SAG going to kiss and make up? As Michael Heister says, "Mazel tov!"

Some news on that mediator, too. A source close to the producers says Juan Carlos Gonzalez of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service has contacted the AMPTP about mediating with SAG. The source says the studios are considering it.

At the risk of being a Gloomy Gus, Gonzalez's mediation in the WGA-AMPTP talks did not prevent the writers' strike, and some questioned whether he had prior experience in mediating entertainment union disputes. The sources I've spoken with today say calling for mediation was a good move, but they don't have much hope that it'll solve anything between actors and producers. I say, at least it could get them talking.

--Lauren Horwitch