FIRST OFF . . .

A tentative agreement has been reached for 20,000 behind-the-scenes Hollywood workers whose contract expired at midnight Tuesday, but negotiations continue in New York for another union, the one that represents talk-show hosts, news people, singers, dancers and actors and extras who appear on live television and some taped shows. Dale Paule, assistant business representative for Local 44 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, said negotiators here reached a tentative pact but were still hammering out details Wednesday. The talks in Sherman Oaks between movie and television producers and IATSE negotiators lasted late into the night. The union represents camera operators, art directors, sound people, script supervisors and other non-actors. No strike had been authorized by the members, who make an average of $17.46 an hour, plus benefits. Back East, representatives of the television networks and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have resumed talks after taking last week off. Some 37 different contracts are being hammered out for AFTRA workers whose contracts expired Nov. 15 but who continue to work under a day-to-day agreement.