Just when ACTRA and the CFTPA were sealing a new Independent Production Agreement…Hollywood producers are dissatisfied. So, both unions are back at the table working on yet another new agreement.

Nick Counter, president of the AMPTP, representing U.S. studios, subsequently told ACTRA representatives that the studio heads were nervous about the clauses on Internet compensation, and most of all didn’t want a precedent-setting Canadian deal boxing them in during their own contract talks with Los Angeles unions and guilds, beginning later this year.

The studios wanted an “understanding” that would help them ratify the IPA without prejudicing their own U.S. labor negotiations.

So the chief negotiators for both sides began working out the kinks, to make sure the new deal made regarding new media residuals didn’t apply to members of AMPTP or their affiliates who film in Canada until after the big studios sort out their contract with the Screen Actors Guild.

Until a new deal is worked out, ACTRA’s strike–now in its seventh week–will continue. All sides are acting in good will and want this resolved quickly.

Playback Daily