SAG, AFTRA OK CONTRACT STRIKE AVERTED IN PACT WITH PRODUCERS.

Byline: Greg Hernandez Staff Writer

Hollywood has avoided a major labor strike for at least three years now that the members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have overwhelmingly approved a new contract with producers.

While sister unions the Writers Guild of America and the Directors Guild of America had already settled on new three-year contracts in the fall, the actors had the trickiest negotiations - having not only to deal with producers, but also with union infighting over what gains the new contract should ultimately include.

While all three unions sought a higher percentage of DVD revenue, the producers' insistence on the status quo led some to believe there could be a showdown resulting in a strike. A work stoppage by writers and actors had barely been averted at the eleventh hour four years ago.

``The ratification by SAG and AFTRA removes that uncertainty at least for a few years,'' said entertainment labor attorney Arnold Peter. ``They made respectable but modest gains. It certainly helped that both sides were being more reasonable at the bargaining table.''

Despite SAG's efforts, producers again did not budge on the hot-button issue of increased DVD revenues but union negotiators were able to use that stance to gain a 9 percent across-the-board minimum pay raise over three years, major increases in employer contributions to pension and health plans, an expansion of jobs for background actors, and higher wages and better safeguards for stunt coordinators.

Overall, the memberships of SAG and AFTRA voted 76.5 percent to 23.5 percent in favor of the new agreement, which will run from July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2008.

``This contract represents a victory for solidarity, strategy and good sense,'' said AFTRA President John Connolly. ``The majority of the negotiating committee kept their eyes on the real prize, which was to keep actors working and keep cameras rolling. The members then concurred with their votes.''

Approximately 119,000 members of the unions received ballots, and 30 percent returned them, a number consistent with previous votes on union contracts.

SAG's vocal Hollywood board, a majority of which is opposed to SAG President Melissa Gilbert's policies, had taken a nonbinding vote in January overwhelmingly against the proposed pact. They encouraged members to vote down the pact but their efforts, successful in the past on other issues, never really gained traction this time around.

``The negotiating committee of working members felt this was a good deal for actors, the joint national board agreed, and I'm pleased and gratified to see that so many members from each division across our guild thought so too,'' Gilbert said.

As SAG celebrates its new contract, the union continued to have some behind-the-scenes drama Tuesday with news that SAG Chief Executive Bob Pisano plans to step down from his post in April after more than three years at the helm.

Gilbert has been a staunch supporter of Pisano, but he has been the target of heavy criticism from the dissident faction, which had tried unsuccessfully to remove him from office.

Pisano is expected to be succeeded by Greg Hessinger, AFTRA's national executive director. Pisano and Hessinger served as the lead negotiators for their respective unions in the recent contract talks.

Neither union would confirm the impending executive moves, but SAG spokesman Seth Oster said Tuesday that the union has called a management meeting for this week at which ``executive transition'' will be discussed.

Greg Hernandez, [phone]

greg.hernandez(at)dailynews.com