After some saber rattling due to the cast of the "Bold & the Beautiful" intention of decertifying AFTRA to join SAG's jurisdiction, AFTRA not only did not show up for the joint plenary between SAG and AFTRA in preparation for the upcoming Primetime TV/Theatrical negotiations with the AMPTP but has announced that it is withdrawing from their Phase One agreement with SAG.

This could mean that the union that has been selling out actors on cable shows, now intends to go after all of SAG's jurisdiction with their inferior minimums and residual giveaways.

Leslie Simmons

Hollywood Reporter

March 29, 2008

In a dramatic turn of events, AFTRA's national board of directors Saturday overwhelmingly voted to suspend its joint bargaining agreement with SAG and negotiate its primetime TV contract alone with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

SAG's national board was notified of the decision by AFTRA's president Roberta Reardon and national officers Susan Boyd Joyce, Denny Delk, Bob Edwards, Matt Kimbrough and Shelby Scott at what was to be an afternoon joint meeting of both unions' national boards.

An AFTRA spokeswoman confirmed the decision, saying "We voted to suspend phase one and negotiate the primetime contract on our own."

The split by AFTRA opens the doors to the possibility that the AMPTP will begin bargaining with that union before SAG.

SAG president Alan Rosenberg blasted the decision, calling it "calculated, cynical and serves the interests of their institution, not its members."

Rosenberg said, "We remain focused on negotiating the best terms for actors covered by the TV theatrical contract. We spent weeks working with our fellow actors in AFTRA on joint proposals to improve the lives of all working actors."

Earlier this week, SAG and AFTRA members put the finishing touches on a proposal package that was to be reviewed by members of both unions' national boards for approval on Saturday. Reports out of the meetings indicated things went well between the two unions.

The relationship between the two unions has been anything but amicable over the last year.
For decades, SAG and AFTRA have negotiated jointly with the AMPTP. But last July, SAG was pushing to change that partnership and institute bloc voting on the negotiating committee rather than the usual 50-50 split.

SAG back-peddled that decision in February, deciding to work toward keeping the relationship with AFTRA intact. Despite that, things have continued to sour between the two unions and both have rarely been on the same page over what and when to negotiate with the studios.

The AMPTP's Nick Counter offered to start talks April 1. But while AFTRA has welcomed that date, SAG has not committed to starting negotiations that early.

My recommendations for current AFTRA election rerun are the following "AFTRA Artist" Candidates:

For the Actor AFTRA "Los Angeles" Board of Directors: Vote for only 3 candidates Steven Barr, Carole Elliott and Russell McConnell. All others are part of the current leadership that is responsible for AFTRA undercutting its own contracts with under par contracts with residual giveaways.

For the Actor AFTRA National Board of Directors: Vote for Bonnie Bartlett, Sumi Haru, and Carole Elliott!

For the "At-Large" category: Renee Aubry, Steven Barr, Anthony DeSantis, Frances Fisher, Peggy Miley, Jeff Austin, Paul Napier, David Sobolov, Russell McConnell. (You can only vote for EIGHT!

Now that AFTRA's current leadership has terminated Phase One, it is more important than ever that there are AFTRA board members that will look out for actors interests.

AFTRA Fails to show up for SAG/AFTRA Joint plenary today, and has announced that they are canceling Phase One.

Hollywood Reporter