GEORGE CLOONEY - CLOONEY PLAYS PEACEMAKER

After one group of actors released a statement this week siding with the Screen Actors Guild and another group released a statement siding with the American Federation of Labor in their ongoing internecine battle over bargaining strategy with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, GEORGE CLOONEY has stepped in between them. "What we can't do is pit artist against artist," he wrote in an open letter, "because the one thing you can be sure of is that stories about JACK NICHOLSON vs. TOM HANKS only strengthens the negotiating power of the AMPTP." Clooney suggested that "maybe we could find a way to get what both unions are looking for." He did not indicate how that could be achieved. AFTRA leaders have said that they are satisfied with the results of their negotiations. SAG is calling for members who belong to both unions to vote against ratification of AFTRA's agreement. The existing contract covering members of both unions is due to expire at the end of the day on Monday.