Hollywood unions rift derails unified labor talks

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN3033905520080330

Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:38pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A unified front by Hollywood's two actors' unions engaged in labor talks with movie studios has dissolved in acrimony, leaving them to negotiate separate deals before a strike deadline.

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or AFTRA, told the Screen Actors Guild, or SAG, late on Saturday that it was terminating a joint negotiation agreement, accusing the more-powerful SAG of trying to undermine it.

"AFTRA believes it must devote its full energies to working on behalf of performers, and not wasting its time assessing whether our partner is being honest with us," AFTRA President Roberta Reardon said in a statement.

Reardon said AFTRA aimed to negotiate a contract as soon as possible for its 70,000 members, who include actors, singers, dancers, announcers and other broadcast performers.

The 120,000-strong SAG called AFTRA's move "calculated" and "cynical" and said it did not serve members' interests.

FULL story at link.