SAG Feels its Own Labor Pains

Labor unrest is hitting SAG close to home.

Negotiations between the actors guild and Teamsters Local 986, which represents more than 40 of SAG's Los Angeles-based business representatives, have gotten bumpy. The contract between the parties expired June 1, and one issue still to be resolved is what wage increases the new deal will grant.

Yes, even unions have unions. In this negotiation, SAG functions as management, not labor. After about a dozen meetings, the two sides are far apart, with the key sticking issues being wages and a SAG proposal to require the employees to arbitrate discrimination and sexual harassment claims rather than file them in court.

For more details, see my piece in The Hollywood Reporter: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i7ac2488e5367c3860b8b6e94dda149c5.

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