Hollywood actors, studios reach new deal.

Hollywood’s actors’ unions and the major US studios have reached a tentative deal on a new film and TV contract, after nearly six weeks of talks aimed at averting a protracted labor dispute.

After the writer’s strike of 2008 that’s good news for everybody.

The deal between the Screen Actors Guild, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers provides for some modest pay raises and a significant increase in contributions to the unions’ health and pension plans.

“The deal offers increases in benefit contributions, wages and other areas critical to working performers while being responsive to the current challenges facing feature film and television producers,” the alliance said in a statement. “The early agreements also ensure that production can continue without disruption for everyone who depends on this industry.”

Both unions faced pressure to get a deal done before the Directors Guild of America started its negotiations later this month.

The deal must still be approved by both union boards before it is ratified.

Source: LA Times