SAG Strike Speculation Heats Up

Posted by Robert Fure (robert@filmschoolrejects.com) on September 1, 2008

Working, sleeping, eating, and hedonizing (yes, I made that word up) in Hollywood, sometimes I hear things. The talk of the town these days revolves around the “will they, won’t they, but aren’t they already” over the Screen Actors Guild and whether or not they’ll authorize a strike. Some argue that by not signing new contracts, SAG is, in effect, already striking as many new projects, notably in the theatrical department, have declined to pursue new productions. Some television shows are still moving forward, as they are more likely to work under IATSE guidelines.

While this can be filed under speculation or rumor, the word on the street is that the AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) have issued their final deal and will not negotiate further at this time. The interesting part comes in September, when more than a third of the SAG leaders are up for re-election. Most people are thinking now that the re-election vote will be a de facto vote on whether or not to strike. If the current SAG leaders/strike supporters are all re-elected, it will be seen as a vote of confidence in the strike. If they’re ousted, new SAG leadership will likely put forth the current AMPTP offer for ratification. Even if re-elected, many in the AMPTP feel there is insufficient support for a strike, after the months long work stoppage due to the WGA Strike earlier in the year.

We’ll keep our ear to the ground and let you know what we know as this delicate issue moves gingerly forward.

Should SAG strike or get on with it and sign the papers so we can see more movies?

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