SAG set to initiate anti-AFTRA campaign

LOS ANGELES, June 8 (UPI) -- The Screen Actors Guild of America is preparing a campaign to boycott a new deal by the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, officials say.

Variety reported Saturday the SAG national executive committee agreed to initiate a campaign that would oppose the recent prime time deal between AFTRA officials and top studios.

The guild's prime time contract with top studios is set to expire June 30, but negotiations between the two sides are stalled.

Variety said SAG officials had asked their AFTRA counterparts to delay the ratification of their new TV deal, but their plea was rejected by federation officials.

Top SAG officials Doug Allen and Alan Rosenberg said in a letter to those counterparts that the AFTRA deal would significantly interfere with the union's attempt to extend their contract.

"It has become clear over recent days that the prospect of an immediate ratification vote on the proposed AFTRA Exhibit A contract is distracting the industry from seriously engaging on SAG's proposals and has the unfortunate prospect of interfering with SAG's ability to exercise its leverage for the benefit of all actors, members of either or both of our unions," the pair wrote.