SAG leader defends member survey

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2 (UPI) -- The Screen Actors Guild's top negotiator Tuesday shrugged off U.S. producers' accusation of delay tactics, saying polling its members is "appropriate."

The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers fired a salvo at the actors' union Monday, saying SAG's negotiators have had plenty of time to "close this deal" and calling its mass postcard mailing "just another delay tactic."

Doug Allen, SAG's national executive director and chief negotiator, fired back Tuesday, pointing out the producers had suggested previously the actors be sent their last offer, made June 30, "and now that we have done so they object."

"It is understandable that the studios and networks are concerned about the members' reaction to a proposal that contains incentives to produce non-union and no residuals for new media productions re-used by streaming on the Internet," Allen said in a statement. "It is appropriate that we inform our members and seek their input on these critical matters."

Allen added the reason a contract hasn't been reached is because the producers haven't made an offer acceptable to SAG's national negotiating committee and national board.

The SAG-AMPTP contract expired July 1. No new discussions between the two parties have been set.