Los Angeles - The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) has postponed a planned reopening of stalled contract negotiations with the studios and networks tomorrow, after it was threatened with a lawsuit seeking to reinstate ousted chief negotiator Doug Allen, the Los Angeles Times reported.

SAG president Alan Rosenberg and VP Anne-Marie Johnson gave notice they intend to file suit to reinstate Allen, who was ousted last week by a "moderate" branch of the union's board that is now looking to reopen negotiations with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

The two allege that Allen's removal by written assent was "undemocratic," and are seeking to block the attempt to restart contract talks.

People close to the negotiations told the Times that the lawsuit could delay new talks for "at least a week."

Related Links:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-sag3-2009feb03,0,975959.story

http://tinyurl.com/aqahen (SAG statement)

http://www.amptp.org