Burn Notice

Dave McNary of Variety tells us some of the things that will happen (besides the obvious) once the current contract expires between the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers

With SAG unlikely to make a deal in the next two weeks, both sides will move on to tricky turf as of July 1, the day after the guild's current feature-primetime deal with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers expires.

As of July 1, changes for thesps include the following:

The no-strike no-lockout clause is no longer in effect.

The union security clause, requiring actors to be under guild jurisdiction, is no longer in effect.

The grievance and arbitration requirements are suspended, meaning that grievances that are filed can't be arbitrated until a new deal's signed.

Biz insiders say the lack of grievance and arbitration coverage is by far the most significant issue for thesps during a period when there is no guild contract in force.

Although there are no explicit rules governing how the studios and guild should function after a contract expires without the guild going on strike, tradition in union negotiations dictates that SAG actors will continue to work under terms and conditions of the expired contract -- on those productions whose studios have decided to take their chances and not close down amid the uncertainty.

Though neither side has issued any public comment about the negotiations since the verbal sparring last week, those close to the talks have signaled that a resolution is at least a few more weeks away.

SAG has not taken a strike authorization vote, which would require 75% approval and probably a few weeks to get ballots out to 120,000 members. AMPTP companies have not given any sign that they are moving toward locking the actors out, even though such a step would be permissible once the contract expires. In addition, the AMPTP -- the negotiation arm for studios and networks -- has not yet made its "last, best and final" offer.

It's not uncommon for unions to continue negotiations beyond contract deadlines. SAG went four days past the contract deadline in 2001 before making a deal, and the WGA went five months past expiration in 2004 before it finally reach a tentative deal.

At this moment, it seems as though things are in a holding pattern...no "Final Best Offer", no ballot mailing...moving towards a strike. And yet no one is negotiating either...

Is this a game of chicken to see who blinks first?

Stay Tuned...