US actors' unions want equal pay

The two unions are among the most powerful in Hollywood

Two of the US' most powerful actors' unions want to sign a joint contract over TV rights before the Oscars are awarded at the end of the month.

The Screen Actors' Guild (SAG) and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (Aftra) are trying to get equal pay rates for primetime TV.

TV producers have been able to take advantage of differing agreements.

The unions meet with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on Tuesday over new contracts.

Another of the unions' demands is to resolve issues over which of them has jurisdiction over shows that have been shot using digital cameras.

The two unions had tried to merge last year, but SAG members voted against them uniting. Leaders of both unions have said they want to launch another merger attempt.

If a deal is reached a members' vote is likely to go ahead before the end of March.

No strike

But there is likely to be opposition from the TV industry, which does not appear keen to raise Aftra's rates to SAG's level.

Both unions want producers to increase health care contributions, and to also increase the caps on earnings that are subject to pension and health contributions.

The unions have ruled out any strike action - they stopped work for six months in 2000 over a dispute with advertisers over repeat fees for commercials.

They have also included proposals in their talks with producers about increasing DVD and video "residuals" - the rates paid when programmes move are available on disc or video.

The pay rates are much lower than that of TV repeats, and have remained unchanged for nearly 20 years.

This issue is unlikely to be a cornerstone in their negotiations, which will put them in conflict with the Writers' Guild of America, which wants its members to get more of a share of residuals.