The Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers have failed yet again to reach an agreement ? this time after three days of contract negotiations. The studio group said they made numerous additional concessions, and claimed that the terms were the best the AMPTP could offer given current economic conditions and other labor contacts previously negotiated in the industry. Speculation surrounding the talks suggests that although progress was made, SAG and the AMPTP could not agree on a start date for the new contract. The groups have been unable to agree for over half a year, though the AMPTP reached deals with writers and directors last year. SAG has also faced internal conflict, as membership factions disagree over bargaining techniques and the potential need for a strike.
See "Actors, studios end contract talks, hit new snag", Bob Tourtellotte, Reuters, February 19, 2009