Aftra

Still, people familiar with the situation agree that whichever faction gains a voting majority on the board will affect the stalled negotiations with the Hollywood studios as well as future talks with SAG's alienated sister union, Aftra.

SAG Votes on Next Act 2008

The Aftra move is the latest indication of the town's increasing frustration over SAG's refusal to schedule formal negotiations as soon as possible, given the recently completed 100-day Writers Guild strike and the looming June 30 expiration of the SAG-AFTRA film-primetime contract.

The 'Free' and the 'Trade' 2008

In recent weeks, the Aftra vote became something of a referendum on the actors 'desire to continue negotiating for a better contract with the studios, as the two unions share about 44,000 members.

Actors Union 2008

SAG criticized Aftra earlier this month for striking a tentative deal with the studios that SAG leaders felt was insufficient and asked Aftra members to vote against it.

Hollywood Producers 2008

Aftra members approved the new contract by a lower margin than in the past, when contracts were jointly negotiated with SAG.

Actors Union 2008

SAG, currently embroiled in difficult talks with Hollywood studios, campaigned vigorously against the new Aftra deal as a means of demonstrating that its members are willing to aggressively pursue better terms in their own contract -- even on the heels of a crippling 100-day strike by screenwriters last winter.

Actors Union 2008

The Aftra deal is the fifth labor agreement made between the studios and a Hollywood union this year, after a three-month strike by screenwriters in late 2007 and early 2008 brought film and TV production to a near standstill.

Actors Union 2008

“It is essential,” he added, “that we vote down that Aftra deal.”

Actors Fight Steve Hulett 2008

That was the first time in 27 years that Aftra and the 120,000-member SAG negotiated separately.

Actors Union 2008

In late May, Aftra made the tentative deal with the studios that was ratified Tuesday.

Actors Union 2008