LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Hollywood's two major actors unions announced late Thursday they have agreed to a new contract with film and TV producers worth $200 million over three years.þþThe Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists had been immersed in negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers since Dec. 6. The unions have nearly 200,000 members nationwide.þþUnder the agreement, which still needs final approval, actors will get a 9 percent minimum pay raise over three years, increased money for the unions' health and pension plans and greater protections for stunt actors and extras, SAG said in a statement.þþHowever, actors did not get a larger share of DVD residuals, which unions representing writers and directors had tried unsuccessfully for in their recent contract negotiations.þþ``I am proud of what we accomplished in this agreement,'' AFTRA President John Connolly said. ``We made gains in nearly every priority area.''þþHe described the fight for increased money from DVD sales as ``an uphill battle from the start, and the next round would have been a lockout or a strike.''þþThere was no immediate comment from the producers alliance.þþThe joint board of SAG and AFTRA will consider the agreement Jan. 29, after which the contract must be approved by union members. That vote has not been scheduled.þþ
Source: NY Times
