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SAG-AFTRA has agreed to state mediation to break the deadlock with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, but said, “We are not certain the employers have any intention of negotiating a settlement.”
The deadline for an agreement remains Wednesday at midnight PT.
In a statement, the union said its bargaining committee “approved AMPTP’s last-minute request for federal mediation and reaffirmed the bargaining committee’s determination to reach a fair deal by the time the extended contract expires at 11:59 p.m. PT” Wednesday , July 12.
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“We will not be dissuaded from negotiating in good faith to ensure a fair and equitable deal until our agreement expires. We are committed to the negotiation process and will examine and explore all possible avenues for an agreement. However, we are not convinced that the employers have any intention of negotiating an agreement.”
“Furthermore, we condemn the tactics set forth in today’s inaccurate Variety article, which credits the CEOs of several entertainment companies as the driving force behind the request for arbitration; Information leaked to the press by the CEOs and their “anonymous sources” before our negotiators even knew of the mediation request. In this process, the AMPTP has betrayed our trust and damaged the respect we have for them. We’re not going to be swayed by this cynical ruse of getting an extension when the companies have had more than enough time to negotiate a fair deal.
“SAG-AFTRA represents artists. We’re here to close a deal that ensures our members can earn a living wage in the expansive industry we work to enable. The AMPTP can enable this at any time. They know what our members need and if they bring it up we will listen, but it is important to know: time is running out.”
SAG-AFTRA entered negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on June 7 and voted 98% to authorize the strike. The contracts were renewed on June 30th and will now expire on July 12th at 11:59pm PT.