Hollywood unions say AMPTP should resume SAG-AFTRA negotiations ‘immediately’ – The Hollywood Reporter

A shot of strikers’ signs at SAG-AFTRA picket lines on October 10, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

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Major Hollywood unions called on the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to resume negotiations with SAG-AFTRA “immediately,” citing the plight of industry professionals who are out of work.

“Every day that a fair contract that addresses the unique priorities of actors is delayed is another day that working professionals in our industry suffer needlessly,” the Writers Guild of America, Directors Guild of America, IATSE, Teamsters, Hollywood Basic Crafts, and American Federation of Musicians said in a statement. Statement on Friday. “At this point, it should be clear to the studios and AMPTP that more proposals are needed that merely replicate terms negotiated with other unions,” the unions said, arguing that the AMPTP is trying to force style bargaining on SAG-AFTRA.

“We collectively demand that AMPTP immediately resume negotiations in good faith, take meaningful steps at the negotiating table with SAG-AFTRA to address the specific needs of its performers, and conclude the fair deal they deserve,” the unions continued.

The statement comes shortly after SAG-AFTRA claimed that the studios made the decision to suspend ongoing negotiations on a new three-year contract, not the union. “I was certainly surprised by their decision last night to call me and cancel today’s scheduled negotiating session and tell me they had no plans to return to the table,” said Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s lead negotiator. Hollywood Reporter Thursday.

More is coming.