"AFTRA has reached a tentative three-year deal with networks on its network code, which covers work by its members on nonprimetime TV." Variety.com reports, adding that the move "opens the door for the performers union to begin negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers on coverage of primetime TV. No date has been set, but talks are likely to start in late March or early April."
"Although AFTRA has threatened to negotiate a deal on its own, it's expected SAG leaders will agree this week to joint bargaining under conditions of the two unions' 27-year-old Phase One agreement (Daily Variety, March 7), though the situation has not been finalized following a long feud." Source.
The SAG-AFTRA contract on feature film and primetime TV expires June 30, 2008.
AFTRA (The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) is a national labor union representing over 70,000 performers, journalists and other artists working in the entertainment and news media.
SAG (Screen Actors Guild) is the USA largest labor union representing working actors. It represents nearly 120,000 actors who work in motion pictures, television, commercials, industrials, video games, Internet and all new media formats.