AFTRA bags SAG request to hold off
The inter-union rivalry between AFTRA and SAG reached a new high yesterday as AFTRA once again denied a request by SAG to hold off on negotiations with producers (AMPTP) on a contract. That’s not to say AFTRA’s being difficult; they twice postponed their own negotiations with producers in favor of giving SAG more time to hammer out an agreement.
But after two delays and no resolution in sight, AFTRA’s ready to go and get their deal done before time runs out and they are forced to be part of a work stoppage against their will. Depsite two previous delays, SAG is blaming AFTRA for being unreasonable, which tells me that perhaps SAG reps need a little drug treatment center vacation before resuming their talks anyway.
“While some have questioned the decision to negotiate apart, know that the decision was not taken lightly,” AFTRA president Roberta Reardon said. “Through a constant barrage over the past 15 months, our once-positive relationship with SAG deteriorated, making it impossible now to continue joint bargaining. The AFTRA national board decided on March 29 to suspend joint bargaining because the first and foremost expenditure of AFTRA’s resources must be deployed in facing down management in negotiations, enforcing members’ contracts and caring for members’ interests.”
AFTRA has a two week timetable in which to reach negotiations with the AMPTP; SAG will get its next turn at bat on May 28.