LAT: Urgency is absent in contract stalemate between SAG, studios

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sag21-2008jul21,0,7919268.story

Neither side says it's in a rush to resolve significant differences in contract talks
By Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
July 21, 2008

Hollywood's long, hot summer does not appear to be ending any time soon.

The talks between the major studios and the largest actors union are at a stalemate. And neither side professes to be in a hurry to break the logjam.

A meeting last week failed to bridge the significant gaps between the parties and yielded only further sniping between the warring sides.

The Screen Actors Guild said it rejected the studios' proposed contract because it doesn't adequately protect the financial needs of actors, especially in the area of new media. Studios countered that their offer was good enough for three other talent unions -- and was even generous amid the current economic uncertainty.

So why the lack of a sense of urgency?

The studios do not feel pressured to cut a deal because they spent months fast-tracking much of their movie production so that they wouldn't be caught short if the actors walked out. Moreover, they believe that the union's leaders don't have the leverage among their members to obtain a strike authorization vote.

FULL story at link.