*news SAG keeping cable on the table !! Hollywood Caucuse time 4-6PM !!

Posted: Wed., Mar. 15, 2006, 7:08pm PT

SAG keeping cable on the table

Guild mulls a cable strike

By DAVE MCNARY

The Screen Actors Guild is asking its members for strike authorization over its basic made-for-cable contract, which hasn't been revised in 16 years.
SAG announced Wednesday it will hold caucuses next week in Hollywood, Chicago, Miami, New York and San Francisco for members who work the cable contract. Negotiations on the deal launched Jan. 30, but talks haven't taken place for several weeks.

info below!

Under the current contract, performers receive 12% of the minimum of $716 for the first rerun, down to 1% for the 13th rerun and beyond. SAG leaders contend the residual structure needs to reflect the steady growth of basic cable's audience and revenues -- up from $2.2 billion in 1992 to $10.9 billion last year.

"The guild has been negotiating with producers for several months, yet the producers' last offer does not reflect the extraordinary growth of the cable industry," SAG said Wednesday. "Our members deserve a fair increase in residuals."

The DGA and WGA residual rates for basic made-for-cable are significantly better than SAG's, starting at 17% of minimum. SAG network rates are also much higher than the cable rate, with performers receiving 100% for the first rerun up to $3,200.

Not only is the DGA/WGA Deal better. They have had it for the LAST FIVE YEARS!

In another development Wednesday, negotiators for the ad industry pressed SAG and AFTRA about the industry's proposal to extend the current commercials pact for a year in order to perform a study of changing revenue models. That pact expires Oct. 29.

The last extension screwed us out of millions upon millions of DVD money! Thanks Whipsaw!

SAG hasn't yet agreed to an extension, first proposed by the ad industry last year. Guild said Wednesday its negotiating committee will meet soon to consider the proposal.

Ad industry announced it was seeking an independent consultant to develop alternate methods to compensate actors for their work in commercials. It asserted the current formula was developed to meet the needs and problems of the early 1950s.

Yeah, right! You’ll notice "they" have no problem with the basic cable and video/DVD Deal “developed to meet the needs and problems of TWENTY YEARS AGO!

"We need a new, equitable approach to talent payment -- one that recognizes that consumers are viewing commercials on cell phones and iPods, and advertisers are using digital editing to customize messages for very narrow audiences," said Doug Wood, the industry's lead negotiator. "Continued reliance on an outmoded compensation structure will lead to out-of-control costs and administrative burdens on the one hand and failure to account for all uses of a commercial on the other."

Translation: They want to take away, among other things, CLASS A!

For its part, SAG acknowledged the concerns about complexity of the ad industry but downplayed the costs of actors.

"Notwithstanding that complexity, the truth is that talent costs are generally less than 2% of the industry's media costs," SAG said. "So it goes without saying that we share the industry's commitment to ensuring that actors are fairly compensated."

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&a=VR1117939830&c=10

GUILD TO HOST IMPORTANT CAUCUSES IN SAN FRANCISCO, MIAMI, CHICAGO, NEW YORK & HOLLYWOOD

A Strike Authorization Vote on the Basic Cable Live Action Agreement will be Taken at Each Meeting All paid-up* Guild members who work under the SAG Basic Cable Live Action Agreement (The Closer on TNT, The Shield on FX) or paid-up members interested in these negotiations are urged to attend.

The Guild has been negotiating with producers for several months, yet the producers' last offer does not reflect the extraordinary growth of the cable industry.The Basic Cable Live Action Contract has not been negotiated in 16 years. During this time, cable network revenue has grown by almost 500 percent.

Our members deserve a fair increase in residuals.Your participation is vital to the future of this contract. Any member from any branch or division may attend one of the caucuses. You must attend in person to vote. Bring your membership card. No RSVP necessary.

*All active members in good standing whose dues are paid through the November 2005 (November 1, 2005-April 30, 2006) dues period.CAUCUS DATES:

SAN FRANCISCO: 1-2:30 p.m. (PST) Monday, March 20, 2006350 Sansome St. #900San Francisco, CA 94104For more info about the San Francisco caucus call Clarissa Buck at (415) 391-7510

MIAMI: 6-7:30 p.m. (EST) Monday, March 20, 20067300 N. Kendall Dr., Suite 620Miami, FL 33156For more info on the Miami caucus call Karen Weiss at (305) 670-7677 ext.224

CHICAGO: 7-8:30 p.m. (CST) Monday, March 20, 2006McCorkle Court Reporters200 N. LaSalle St., Suite 300Chicago, IL 60601For more info about the Chicago caucus call (312) 573-8081 or (312) 867-3710

NEW YORK: 6-8 p.m. (EST) Wednesday, March 22, 2006360 Madison AvenueLeon Janney Board Room (14th Floor)New York, NY

HOLLYWOOD: 4-6 PM (PST) Sunday, March 26, 2006 Harmony Gold Theater 7655 Sunset Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90046(Parking available underground and on Stanley - as well as on the street)