Labor talks between a major Hollywood actors' union and studios for a new contract ended Tuesday without an agreement, as the two sides failed to extend their negotiations for a third time.
Officials of the 12,000-member Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), which represents the largest movie and television companies, have met 18 times since April 15. The talks earlier had been extended twice.
"Insufficient progress has been made to extend negotiations for a third time," said a statement issued by the AMPTP late Tuesday.
The trade association said that "significant differences" remain on residuals for DVD sales, pay for shows streamed over the Internet and for programming for so-called new media, including the Internet and cell phones, and new media use of clips and library materials.
The AMPTP said the actors' union refused to acknowledge that the deals already struck with the writers and directors reflect the economic realities faced by those in the entertainment industry, including actors.
"It is unfortunate and deeply troubling that the AMPTP would suspend our negotiations at this critical juncture," said Alan Rosenberg, president of the Screen Actors' Guild.
Rosenberg said the SAG negotiating team is prepared to work around the clock for as long as it takes to get a fair deal.
SAG's current three-year contract with major Hollywood studios and television companies expires on June 30. Both sides are trying to avoid a repeat of the recent 100-day writers' strike, which crippled almost all new productions in the entertainment industry.
It is unclear whether the actors' union would have the willingness to call a second strike in Hollywood. SAG has not scheduled a date for a strike-authorization vote.
Meanwhile, negotiations are scheduled to begin Wednesday between the AMPTP and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, the smaller of the two performers' unions in Hollywood.
Source: Xinhua
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