Really? No strike?! Here's the letter Mark Zimmerman from AEA is emailing widely:
Dear Friends:
Many of you have been contacting me regarding the Production Contract negotiations. Last night at about 10:30 P.M. the Producers walked out of the negotiations after our side accused them of negotiating in bad faith.
Having sat across from the Producers for the past three months (as the Chair of the Team), I can tell you that our accusation was not issued lightly. Our team has worked to fashion what we believe to be a fair deal. We realize that a new model must be created to address the issue of the "Road" which would mean salaries at rates much lower than the Production Contract minimums. We are prepared to address the problem that the Producers face is the exorbitant costs of advertising. We are willing to divert excess 045 monies (money collected from ticket sales) to help subsidize their payments to the Health Fund.
Do you begin to see a pattern here? We have given what I believe to be extraordinary breaks in order to recapture the "Road" and to save our Health Fund. And so when after privately assuring our Chief negotiator that a licensing agreement (which would assure that the B'way Producers would agree to not license to non-union entities) would be agreed to after we worked out the Tiered Touring contract, last night their Chief Negotiator informed us that their side would
never be able to agree to such a deal. Instead, he told us to "trust them" that they wouldn't license shows to non-union producers. Remember, these are the same guys who are already licensing shows to Troika, Big League and Networks, the three major non-union producers on the road. That's why we can't "trust" them.
And so we're at an impasse. We're in uncharted waters, and I can't begin to predict where this will lead. If you're a fellow Equity member, visit the Equity website (actorsequity.org | home) for updates and information. If you're a friend, please get the word out to others about what's at stake here.
Thanks for your support. The Negotiating Team will continue to
bargain in good faith (whenever the Producers agree to come back to the table).
Mark
Stop worrying about what I'm doing -- focus instead on what you're eating.
