Govt getting ready to reply to USTR queries

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3ic81707e04a7d92171295230b79ca8264

By Carl DiOrio

Oct 10, 2007

About 248 dual cardholders at SAG and AFTRA have signed a "statement of unity" seeking negotiating solidarity between oft-feuding performer unions.

The statement will figure in ads set to be placed in The Hollywood Reporter and other trade publications that AFTRA has agreed to fund. Those signing the letter include former SAG presidents Melissa Gilbert, Barry Gordon, Richard Masur and William Schallert.

"(We) appeal to our fellow actors to come together with one strong voice through both of our unions as negotiations approach," the dual cardholders urged.

It further asks members to "recognize and embrace the diversity of opinions that exist in our community of actors, keep Phase One in place as it has been since 1981 with one member/one vote (and) continue to work toward merger of our two unions."

Under the decades-old Phase One agreement, SAG and AFTRA negotiate jointly in their film and TV contract talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers.

FULL story at link.