LA Times: Actors, Studios Close to Labor Contract Deal

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.dmwmedia.com/news/2009/04/06/la-times:-actors,-studios-close-labor-contract-deal

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 6, 2009 - 9:02am.

Los Angeles - Following four weeks of private talks between Screen Actors Guild (SAG) interim executive David White and several top studio executives, including Disney (NYSE: DIS) CEO Bob Iger and News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) president Peter Chernin, the two sides are "very close" to resolving most of the sticking points holding up a labor contract deal, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing "people familiar with the situation."

Hollywood actors have been working without a contract for the past nine months.

Studios are reportedly ready to capitulate on one major sticking point -- the expiration date for a new SAG contract.

SAG wants any new contract to expire in June 2011, so it may come in line with expiration dates with other Hollywood talent unions, but the studios have pressed for an expiration date of 2012.

The "outlines of an agreement" are expected to be presented to SAG's negotiating task force tomorrow, potentially resulting in the reopening of formal talks between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the Times reported.