IATSE, AMPTP finish three days of talks

LOS ANGELES, April 9 (UPI) -- The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and a group of U.S. film and TV producers say they've held productive negotiations on a new contract.

IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers issued a joint statement Wednesday saying they have held "extensive discussions on new media, minimums and the pension and health plans, including the impact of the 2006 Pension Protection Act on funding standards."

The technicians' union and the producers said they have agreed to take a break from the talks so previously scheduled bargaining sessions can take place between the AMPTP and the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

A news blackout is to remain in effect until the negotiations are over, the two parties said.

"These talks have been extremely helpful in understanding the fundamental issues before us in an environment that has been conducive to bargaining," IATSE International President Thomas C. Short said in the statement. "We look forward to the resumption of negotiations with AMPTP and to securing a contract that will benefit our membership."

"We've covered a lot of ground in an opening round that's been both respectful and mutually beneficial," AMPTP President Nick Counter added.