A study by the Milken Institute shows how last winters’ strike cost California $2.1 billion and caused 37,700 direct and indirect lost jobs. All in all, it had an enormous effect on the already difficult economy. “This was not a discrete one-time hit, [the strike] had a substantial impact on California’s economy in general and on Los Angeles County in particular,” the study stated.

It also pointed out how most fired workers didn’t get their job back after the strike ended in February. But other businesses were also squeezed. Caterers, cleaners and hotels for example, were all affected indirectly. The total Californian personal income is projected to drop $3 billion. And it won’t return to normal until next year.

That is, if there won’t be a second strike. “A SAG strike would have a devastating effect on the California economy because it would be occurring right at the point when we hope the economy begins to come out of recession,” one of the authors said. Well, let’s hope not. But I’m certainly not getting my hopes up.

The actors’ strike could get dirty for actors low on cash this summer. Regulars of, for example, ‘Lost,’ ‘CSI’ and ‘Ugly Betty’ claim the studios still owe them a big chunk of cash, a back pay caused by the writers’ strike last winter. They were temporarily suspended during the strike, but their contracts entitles them to 2,5 weeks’ pay when suspended for ‘extraordinary circumstances.’

The Screen Actors Guild says hundreds of actors still owe over $10 million in paychecks. “The employers have refused to live up to their contractual obligations and have instead attempted to shift the studios’ financial obligations onto the backs of the actors who are their employees,” a spokesman said, totally shifting the focus of their current negotiations.

The Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, spokesman for the studios, could not comment because of the pending judgment on this case.

After the AFTRA deal yesterday, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is back to negotiate theirs. After they failed to cut a deal with the studios for several weeks, the SAG had to make way for the AFTRA’s negotiations at the beginning of May. Hollywood now hopes the AFTRA deal will have a positive effect on the talks with the SAG. But their leaders say they still disagree on half a dozen key disputes.

SAG president Alan Rosenberg wasn’t praising the AFTRA. “The SAG negotiating committee and staff will thoroughly analyze and evaluate the principles of a tentative AFTRA deal with the AMPTP,” he carefully noted. No congratulations, no nothing. “We look forward to hearing more during a face-to-face briefing with AFTRA’s negotiating committee as soon as AFTRA provides the opportunity,” Rosenberg added.

With no solution for the online clip consent and DVD residuals disputes, it looks like the SAG may go past its deadline at the end of June. But the studios are still hoping for a happy ending. “We now look forward to the resumption of talks with SAG, to building on the foundation laid during our first round of SAG talks and to reaching an agreement that will prevent another harmful and unnecessary strike.“