SAG Response to AMPTP Statement

Los Angeles - Screen Actors Guild released the following statement: “The Screen Actors Guild negotiating committee, representing all Screen Actors Guild members across the United States, is working hard to secure a fair deal for actors. We continue to believe that it is possible to complete negotiations and secure a fair deal before the expiration of the current agreement. “SAG’s negotiating committee has made significant moves in the AMPTP’s direction on a number of proposals. The limited progress the AMPTP referred to in its recent statement is largely because management has not made an equally dedicated effort to achieving progress. Negotiations are about give and take and thus far it has primarily been SAG’s negotiating committee “giving.” “Nevertheless, Screen Actors Guild is dedicated to the process and is committed to continuing the hard work it has already given the effort to negotiate a contract that best serves the interests of actors in the rapidly evolving entertainment media industry. “The committee is motivated to finding a path to agreement. To do otherwise would do a great disservice to the more than 120,000 members of Screen Actors Guild whose livelihoods depend upon this contract. Management’s time would be better spent by committing to real progress and substantive negotiation of our various proposals. “It is well known and understood by SAG members that a consistent employer tactic in negotiation is to distract from core issues and attempt to sow dissension -- as management attempted in its latest communications. This tactic will not work. “The Screen Actors Guild national negotiating committee, comprised of representatives from the Guild's Hollywood Division, New York Division and Regional Branch Division is unanimous in its commitment to successfully concluding these negotiations. We hope we can count on an equal effort from management.” About SAG Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents more than 120,000 actors who work in film and digital television, industrials, commercials, video games, music videos and all other new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at www.sag.org . Contact: Pamela Greenwalt 323.440.2892