As expected, the union representing more than 35,000 film and TV workers approved a new three-year contract, fending off a vigorous opposition campaign by dissidents who accused their leaders of selling them short at the bargaining table.
The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees said today that the contract, which was largely modeled on similar agreements negotiated by other Hollywood unions, was unanimously endorsed by all 15 Hollywood local groups. The guild did not give a breakdown of actual vote results.
The new contract, which goes into effect on Aug. 1 includes some modest pay hikes but also cuts in health and pension benefits. The new benefits package includes a provision that raises the number of hours to 400 from 300 a member must work every six months to keep health insurance coverage. Union dissidents also expressed alarm over a provision in the contract that eliminates traditional job classifications and staffing requirements for new media productions.
But a majority of members were swayed by the union leadership's argument that the contract was the best that could be expected in the current environment. "We have delivered a strong contract in a very chaotic economic climate," IATSE President Matt Loeb said in a statement.
Jeffrey Goldenberg, an assistant cameraman on the Fox show "Til Death" who voted against the contract, said he was not surprised.
"The union ran a pretty strong campaign," he said. "Only time will tell how many members will lose health coverage for their families or how they will be treated on Internet productions without customary union protections for rate, conditions and staffing."
-- Richard Verrier
Warning: The 'Battlestar' finale will go long, set your DVRS accordingly
The series finale for "Battlestar Galactica" airs at 8 p.m. Central and 9 p.m. on the East and West Coasts.
Be aware that the finale is two hours and 11 minutes long. If you're recording the finale, be sure to set your DVR up to account for the extra time. I've read reports that say that some cable and satellite systems have not automatically added the extra running time for those who are recording tonight's broadcast, so double check if you're not sure.
I will have a lot of "Battlestar" goodies here once the finale is over. One thing you should be aware of: "Battlestar" executive producer Ron Moore wasn't terribly keen on the first hour of "Daybreak," being shown separately last week.
"It was not written that way. In fact, when I wrote the script, it wasnot even written as acts [i.e. Act 1, Act 2, Act 3]. I wrote the scriptas a [single] movie and it was meant to be seen that way," Moore said in an interview on Monday, after the finale was screened for the press. "I did manage to get them to agree to show all three hours this Friday,"
So if you want to see "Daybreak" as it was intended to be seen -- all three hours and 11 minutes of it -- be on your couch at 7 p.m. Central, 8 p.m. Eastern.
One more thing: Some folks have speculated in comments here that since I haven't said anything about the finale, I must have a problem with it. The reason I haven't said anything about the finale is because I promised not to. I am not sure if the release I signed before the finale screening on Monday would allow NBCU to take my left kidney if I talked, but you never know. So I'm not talking.
But I'm not very good at keeping my mouth shut. I absolutely cannot wait to post my thoughts on the finale, my interview with Moore and various other goodies, all of which will appear here after the opus airs.
See you back here tonight, fellow "Battlestar" fans.
A meeting of cultures
The common definition of culture is "a peopleÂ's way of life". This meaning seeks to irretrievably link culture and people, thus implying we can only talk about culture when it concerns humans.
Review: 'I Love You, Man' doesn't give quite enough love, man
The sexual anxiety of 21st-century heterosexual men struggling to be more "sensitive" is a terrific subject; and "I Love You, Man" slyly toys with the arc of a romantic comedy. It ultimately feels like a clever concept in search of a completely developed movie.
'Duplicity' has star power | 'Knowing' is hooey
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John Cullum Leads A Double Life — Onstage
He's best known for TV roles on Northern Exposure and ER, but the Tony Award winner has worked in theater for 50 years. These days, he's really working — performing in two plays each night, six nights a week.
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