Report: Striking actors, commercial makers to negotiate

June 1, 2000
Web posted at: 4:19 p.m. EDT (2019 GMT)

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Federal mediators, trying to bring a one-month strike to a close, have managed to nudge striking actors and commercial makers closer to the bargaining table, according to Variety.

The Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists have agreed to meet with the Association of National Advertisers on June 13 to June 14 in New York, the trade publication reported Thursday.

Representatives from both sides say they don't expect to end the dispute quickly.

"This does not mean either side has changed its position," said John McGuinn, chief negotiator for the advertisers. "It means that we will meet for exploratory talks."

The actors, who went on strike May 1, are demanding to be paid each time a cable commercial runs, rather than in one lump sum. They also have raised concerns over Internet advertising.

Earning the union label

The strike is costing actors $2 million per day, estimated Anita Busch, editor of The Hollywood Reporter.

Commercial producers say they're being hurt the most.

"The fact of the matter is, actors continue to get residuals. Advertisers and agencies can hold tight," said Matt Miller, president of the Association of Independent Commercial Producers. "But commercial producers and the crews they employ -- if they are not working, they're not earning money."

Casting director Danny Goldman agrees. "A lot of people are being hurt, ... the people who do craft services, the gaffers, the cameramen. It's just all on the line," he said.

The strike has yielded some results. More than 1,300 advertising agencies have signed interim agreements with SAG, said William Daniels, president of the guild. One of the biggest agencies is to follow suit this week, he added.

SAG is also making efforts to ensure that nonunion talent doesn't cross the picket lines, offering membership cards to those who volunteer at least 80 hours of their time.

With a united membership, say SAG leaders, time is on their side.

CNN Entertainment News Correspondent Dennis Michael and Reuters contributed to this report.

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Screen Actors Guild
AFTRA National Homepage
American Association of Advertising Agencies
Association of National Advertisers, Inc.
Association of Independent Commercial Producers

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