SAG to Hold Strike Vote as Talks Collapse

Actors, producers battle over internet profits as economy crumbles
By Amelia Atlas,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 23, 2008 5:01 AM CST
SAG to Hold Strike Vote as Talks Collapse
SAG members and castmates of "Ugly Betty," from left, Ana Ortiz, Christopher Gorham, Ashley Jensen and Becki Newton, join pickets from the Writers Guild of America to show support earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

The Screen Actors Guild will seek a strike authorization vote from members following a breakdown in two days of contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, reports Variety.  If approved, the SAG action would be the second major Hollywood strike of the year, following a writers strike that paralyzed the industry. SAG will need at least three weeks to conduct a vote.

A SAG representative accused producers of being "tone deaf" to actors' needs, while producers accused SAG of being oblivious to the economic crisis. The key sticking point in talks is compensation for internet media, with SAG lobbying for residuals on all web distribution. SAG will need support from 75% of its 120,000 membership to strike. Support for pressing for a better deal has been overwhelming, but it's unclear if the membership will back a strike as the economy continues to weaken.
(More Screen Actors Guild stories.)

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