SAG, AFTRA get OK from AFL-CIO (Unions can negotiate jointly with AMPTP)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117982617.html?categoryId=1066&cs=1

Unions can negotiate jointly with AMPTP
By DAVE MCNARY

The AFL-CIO has given its blessing to the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA negotiating jointly at upcoming contract bargaining with the majors on a new feature-primetime contract.

Tuesday's announcement -- issued without comment by either performers union or the AMPTP -- is another signal that negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers could start as early as April 1.

The move came after more than a month of threats by the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists to negotiate separately from SAG. The unions began mending fences two weeks ago but have persisted in wrangling as recently as last weekend over such issues as whether to include basic cable as part of the upcoming contract negotiations as part of the 27-year-old Phase One agreement.

The AFL-CIO, which noted that it had hosted several recent meetings at the request of the unions, appears to be aimed at removing any doubt that SAG and AFTRA will negotiate together, according to one labor insider.

"Both SAG and AFTRA have now advised president John J. Sweeney that they are fully committed to jointly negotiating and jointly administering the television/theatrical contract through its term pursuant to the terms of the Phase One joint bargaining agreement," the AFL-CIO said. "We congratulate the two unions for reaching agreement on this important matter and look forward to productive joint negotiations."

The statement also indicates that although disputes between SAG and AFTRA remain, the labor federation's likely to serve as a facilitator to help work through differences.

FULL story at link.