LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Hollywood’s two actors’ unions reached a contract deal with advertisers on Wednesday, creating an opening for the larger of the pair to jump-start stalled labor talks with film and television studios.
…Handel said SAG and AFTRA secured an attractive contract offer from advertisers by working together.
…The two unions began negotiations with the Joint Policy Committee of the American Association of Advertising Agencies on February 23 and reached a deal in New York on Wednesday.
…The AMPTP wants a three-year deal to start when the new contract is signed, and SAG has insisted on a retroactive June 30, 2008, start date and an expiration in mid-2011, when the Writers Guild of America and AFTRA will be up for new deals.
…The proposed contract must go to the unions’ rank-and-file for ratification, and if that happens the deal will expire March 31, 2012. It provides a 5.1 percent increase in wages and a $21 million contribution raise to health and pension plans.
Complete press release at: www.reuters.com
