Monday, August 31, 2009

MEMBER ALERT: "CHRISTMAS IN BEVERLY HILLS" FEATURE NOT SIGNATORY TO GUILD

MEMBER ALERT
FROM THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD:

LOS ANGELES, 31 AUGUST, 2009

Please be advised that the theatrical motion picture entitled "Christmas in Beverly Hills" will be shooting the Los Angeles area starting Monday, August 31, 2009. The producers of this motion picture are not intending to sign an agreement with Screen Actors Guild covering the terms and conditions for performers and background actors employed on the picture.

Guild members are reminded of their obligation not to accept employment on any non-signatory project, as well as their obligation to confirm with the Guild that a project is signatory. Employment on any non-signatory project within the Guild's jurisdiction may subject a member to a Rule One violation.

Members who have questions or who wish to discuss the status of this picture should contact the Theatrical Contracts Department at (323) 549-6828.

TO ENDORSE OR NOT TO ENDORSE?


SAG ELECTION CAMPAIGN RAGING
"TO ENDORSE OR NOT TO ENDORSE.
THAT IS THE QUESTION."
Editorial by W. Burns, Editor-In-Chief, The Sag Reporter

HOLLYWOOD

With fires raging in LA burning up over 20,000 acres and now threatening Mt. Wilson and a blazing blitzkrieg that could wipe out cell phone and TV transmission towers, stunning news of The Mouse House acquiring Marvel Entertainment in a 4 billion dollar deal, and the kids going back to school today and tomorrow, folks may have a few things on their minds other than the SAG elections.

Four are running for National President. Ken Howard, Anne-Marie Johnson, Seymour Cassel and Asmar Muhammad. Two for National Secretary-Treasurer. Amy Aquino and Connie Stevens. And dozens for the Hollywood board, New York and in the regional branches. Big election year.

The staff and contributors here at The Sag Reporter have been debating all weekend about coming out with endorsements. It's been quite heated; about as hot as the Arizona desert in August. And Labor Day weekend is coming up. It's all about Labor and who will lead performers with their best interests in mind, isn't it?

So here's my decision: I'm going to flip a coin. On Friday. Got to get the kids off to school first, and those fires are worrying...

2009 DAYTIME EMMY WINNERS

RESULTS FOR DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS, SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2009
THE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES

BEST DRAMA SERIES: The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS)
BEST ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES: Christian LeBlanc, The Young and the Restless (CBS)
BEST ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES: Susan Haskell, One Life To Live (ABC)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, DRAMA SERIES: Vincent Irizarry, All My Children (ABC)
and Jeff Branson, Guiding Light (CBS)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, DRAMA SERIES: Tamara Braun, Days of Our Lives (NBC)
BEST YOUNGER ACTOR: Darin Brooks, Days of Our Lives (NBC)
BEST YOUNGER ACTRESS: Julie Berman, General Hospital (ABC)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Sesame Street

MEMBERSHIP FIRST NY TELECONFERENCE WITH ANNE-MARIE JOHNSON

ANNE-MARIE JOHNSON TO HOLD TELECONFRENCE WITH NY MEMBERS
QUESTIONS TO BE SCREENED BEFORE "LIVE" TELECONFERENCE

NEW YORK

A "live" tele-conference with Membership First's National Prez candidate Anne-Marie Johnson is scheduled for September 2, 2009.

The New York Branch of Membership First, under the moniker "SAGNOW!" aka "Solidarity and Gains Now!" is hosting the event to address Membership Firster's in New York. Questions for Johnson must be emailed first to be vetted and must received by September 1, 2009.

The tele-conference will be held, using the pre-selected questions and comments by Membership First, on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 from 8:45 to 9:45 PM (EST). The call in number is (218) 862-1000 and the Participant Access Code is 961283#.

More information is available at http://www.solidarityand/ gainsnow.org

Friday, August 28, 2009

UNITE FOR STRENGTH DEBUTS NEW, UPDATED WEBSITE

UNITE FOR STRENGTH, running 35 candidates in the current SAG elections, top-lined by Ken Howard for President and Amy Aquino for Secretary-Treasurer, have unvieled a newly redesigned website. Check it out at http://www.uniteforstrength.com/ .

New information on the site includes their 2009 Voter's Guide, profiles and statements from SAG National Board candidates including Assaf Cohen, Gabrielle Carteris, and Tim DeKay.




>"Let’s end the internal accusations and build a more powerful, efficient
union."
-Assaf Cohen




>"My goal is to make sure our unions work together – it’s our only hope to achieve a strong future."-Gabrielle Carteris



>"Let’s end the unproductive inter-union hostility and instead work towards inter-union cohesiveness. For the future’s sake." -Tim DeKay



For detailed biographies and complete statements, visit www.uniteforstrength.com

Thursday, August 27, 2009

RIP FORMER SAG ADVISOR AND LEGAL COUNSEL DAVID ALTER



David Alter, former Screen Actors Guild senior advisor and legal counsel, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 26 at age 85.


Alter was legal counsel to Screen Actors Guild in a variety of capacities beginning in 1966 and concluding with his retirement from the Guild in 2004. He began his career as an attorney for individual performers until he was tapped by SAG leadership to represent the interests of the Guild and all its members. He was named outside counsel to the Guild in New York in 1966 and became national outside counsel in 1980. Alter served in this role until 1998, when he retired from private law practice and became the Guild's director of legal affairs and in 2004 senior advisor. He retired in July of that year.


Alter, a widely regarded entertainment law specialist, devoted his professional life to representing actors and their interests. He was an expert negotiator whose legal acumen and tenacity helped favorably conclude a number of significant arbitrations resulting in considerable savings and settlements for the Guild.


Screen Actors Guild Interim National Executive Director and former General Counsel David White said, "David Alter was a tremendous advocate for the rights and interests of actors and he was a respected and admired part of the Screen Actors Guild for many years. His deep knowledge and expertise were invaluable contributions to my early years with the Guild and I will personally miss his brilliant spirit. He was a friend to actors, a friend to the Guild and a friend to me. We are all deeply saddened at his passing and extend our condolences to his family."


"David Alter's contributions to Screen Actors Guild and to the entertainment industry were unmatched," said John McGuire, Screen Actors Guild's senior advisor and chief negotiator. "He was a beloved member of the SAG family and the entire entertainment community benefited from his years of service and wisdom."


Alter is survived by his wife Deborah, his daughters Lisa and Amy and four grandchildren.
Memorial services are scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 W. 76th Street, New York, NY 10023.


In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to:
Parkinson's Disease Foundationc/o Lucine J. Cote, M.D.1359 Broadway, Suite 1509New York, NY 10018

MEMBERS: CAUCUSES FOR 2009 INTERACTIVE MEDIA AGREEMENT


Attend a Caucus for an Update on the Status of Negotiations for the 2009 Interactive Media Agreement Tuesday, September 8, 2009


Screen Actors Guild will host caucuses for the purpose of providing an update to members on the status of negotiations for the 2009 Interactive Media Agreement. The caucuses will be held in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Francisco (please see the locations and times below).

Members of the Interactive Media Agreement negotiating committee and staff will be in attendance to provide the update. Please inform your fellow Guild members who work under this agreement about these important meetings. Participation is limited only by fire department regulations.


When: Tuesday, September 8, 2009


Locations:Los Angeles: Two identical caucuses will be held — you may choose the time that is most convenient for youFirst Caucus: 4–5:30 p.m. (PDT)Second Caucus: 7–8:30 p.m. (PDT) James Cagney Board Room, ground floor5757 Wilshire Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90036Parking will be validated.


New York: 7-8:30 p.m. (EDT) (Videoconference with Los Angeles)Leon Janney Board Room360 Madison Ave, 12th floorNew York, NY 10017RSVP to Courtney Doherty by email at cdoherty@sag.org or by phone at (212) 827-1402


Chicago: 6–7:30 p.m. (CDT) (Teleconference with Los Angeles)1 East Erie St., Ste. 650Chicago, IL 60611RSVP to Kit Woods by email at kwoods@aftra.com or by phone at (312) 867-2547


San Francisco: 4–5:30 p.m. (PDT) (Teleconference with Los Angeles)350 Sansome St., Ste. 900San Francisco, CA 94104RSVP to Jessica Bowker by email at jbowker@aftra.com or by phone at (415) 391-7510


Performers who work the Interactive Media Agreement and who are not from these cities, yet happen to find themselves in these locations on the day of the caucuses are invited to attend.


All paid-up SAG members in good standing who work under the Interactive Agreement should attend. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/guardians of young performers under 18 years-old are welcome. PLEASE BRING YOUR SAG MEMBERSHIP CARD FOR ADMITTANCE (paid thru October 31, 2009).

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

BASIC CABLE LIVE ACTION AGREEMENT APPROVED

MODERATES GUIDE RATIFICATION OF ANOTHER CONTRACT, TOTALING SIX THIS YEAR. SAG MEMBERS VOTE TO APPROVE BASIC LIVE ACTION CABLE AGREEMENT.
SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:

Los Angeles (August 26, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild announced today that members have approved a two-year successor contract to its Basic Cable Live Action agreement by a vote of 93.71% percent to 6.29% percent. The agreement is effective retroactive to June 10, 2009 and will expire concurrently with the Guild's Theatrical Motion Picture and Television agreements on June 30, 2011.

With this vote, representing a 25.83% percent return, the Guild has now ratified its sixth contract this year. Integrity Voting Systems of Everett, WA, provided election services and tonight certified the final vote tally upon completion of the tabulation.

The terms of the agreement include a 3 percent wage increase retroactive to June 10, 2009, a .5% increase in pension contributions also retroactive to June 10, 2009 and a 3.5 percent wage increase on June 10, 2010.

Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg said, "The members have spoken and I am pleased that they had an opportunity to have their voices heard."

"We are pleased to have this negotiation concluded so that our members can enjoy the enhanced benefits guaranteed under the new agreement," said Screen Actors Guild Interim National Executive Director David White. "Cable is a burgeoning marketplace for our members and will continue to be an area of focused attention for SAG."

SAG Chief Negotiator and Senior Advisor John McGuire said the new agreement "delivers growth in wages while providing the additional peace of mind of improved pension and health contributions, which is important to the wellbeing of both our individual members and the Guild as a whole."

At its July 25 meeting, the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors voted 95 percent to 5 percent to recommend that the membership approve the proposed successor to the Basic Cable Live Action agreement. Ballots were mailed August 5 with a return date of August 26. Tabulation was performed by election services company Integrity Voting Systems of Everrett, WA.

This agreement does not cover animated programs. The Basic Cable Animation and Television Animation contracts were ratified August 18 without the need for a referendum. The Motion Picture and Televisions contracts and the Commercials contract were ratified by members in June and May, respectively.

FLASH! THIS JUST IN: SAG MEMBER ALERT FOR "THIS IS IT" FEATURE FILM


MEMBER ALERT REGARDING THE THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURE “THIS IS IT”

The producer of the theatrical motion picture “This Is It” (also known as “Michael Jackson’s This Is It”) is not yet signed to an agreement with Screen Actors Guild covering the terms and conditions for performers and background actors employed on the picture.

Guild members are reminded of their obligation not to accept employment on any non-signatory project, as well as their obligation to confirm with the Guild that a project is signatory. Employment on any non-signatory project within the Guild's jurisdiction may subject a member to a Rule One violation.

Members who have questions or who wish to discuss the status of this picture should contact the Theatrical Contracts Department at (323) 549-6828.
FOR MORE INFO VISIT: http://www.sag.org/

NEW WEBSITE FOR REGIONAL BRANCH MEMBERS: UNITED UNION PERFORMERS

SAG REGIONAL BRANCH DIVISION NEWS

UNITED UNION PERFORMERS is a newly launched website for SAG members living and working across the United States and are served by the 20 Regional Branch Divisions of The Screen Actors Guild.

A quick and handy reference for actors, the new site will be adding useful and timely material on the events and issues that face actors across the country. The site is not paid for by The Screen Actors Guild, and gives your elected leaders across the USA the ability to reach out and help and communicate with members in new and exciting ways. Vist and bookmark the UNITED UNION PERFORMERS site here: http://www.unitedunionperformers.org/

Visit the site today and check back often. See what your elected leaders have to say. Learn about the issues that threaten the continued existence of SAG as a truly National Union.

SAG CAMPAIGN RESTRICTIONS FOR AGENTS AND MANAGERS

'09 CAMPAIGN
SAG RESTRICTIONS ON CAMPAIGN DONATIONS


TO AGENTS, MANAGERS, CASTING AGENTS, AND PRODUCERS
REGARDING RESTRICTIONS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

This statement from the Screen Actors Guild National, Hollywood and New York Division
Elections Committees is to inform you of various obligations imposed on you by federal law in
connection with the upcoming SAG internal union elections.

Federal law prohibits any employer including employers who are agents, managers, casting
agents or producers from contributing anything of value to candidates for any SAG elected
office. In addition, federal law may require that candidates who receive such contributions
report them to the Department of Labor.

This prohibition includes indirect, as well as direct, expenditures. The prohibition against the
use of employer money includes any costs incurred by an employer, or anything of value
contributed by an employer, in order to support the candidacy of the member. The use of an
employer's office equipment without charge has been construed to be an impermissible
contribution by an employer.1

The following are examples of the application of these legal obligations to situations which
commonly are confronted by candidates for Guild office:
• No employer may provide any contributions or assistance of any kind to any
candidate. Thus, for example, no candidate may solicit the support of any employer that
is a talent agency for an individual’s candidacy nor may any talent agency lend such
support – through financial contributions, solicitations of support through emails or
mailings, etc. – even if the candidate did not request the support. Even forwarding emails
may be a violation of this policy.
• Employees may make contributions only if those employees are not acting on behalf
of their employer.

Engaging in any of the conduct described above may jeopardize the integrity of the SAG election
process. Please do not violate SAG Election Guidelines or federal law. If you have any
questions, please direct them to Michelle Bennett, Governance Executive Director, at 323-549-6094.

You can download this document by visiting www.sag.org

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

SAG ELECTION BALLOTS MAILED TODAY

Tuesday, 25 August, 2009

The Screen Actors Guild is mailing over 110,000 election ballots to fully paid-up members for the fall 2009 elections for National office and board seats and Regional office and board seats .

Ballots deadline is September 24th, 2009, when the votes will be tabulated and announced.

The Writers Guild of America is also holding elections with votes announced on September 18th.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

NEW YORK: MEET NATIONAL CANDIDATES KEN HOWARD, AMY AQUINO AND NY BOARD CANDIDATES MONDAY, 24 AUGUST, 2009


PRESS RELEASE/INVITATION FROM UNITED SCREEN ACTORS:

Dear USAN Friends & Supporters,We need your help in this critical election season. Please join usthis coming Monday & bring your SAG friends--we would love to have youall meet Ken Howard & Amy Aquino, candidates for National Presidentand Secretary-Treasurer and other NY SAG Candidates.Please forward this to all of your liststo help get the word out. We hope you can make it--and please bring afriend... or five!A PDF invitation may be found at this link:http://www.unitedscreenactors.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/monday-invite.pdfLooking forward to seeing you there.Sam, Mike, & the USAN Team---------------------------------------------------------------Date: Monday, August 24thTime: 6:00PM-8:00PMPlace: 1199 SEIU, 310 W. 43rd St., between 8th & 9thBring your SAG card for admittance.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

SAG/AMPTP AGREE ON NEW 2 YEAR CONTRACT FOR TV ANIMATION AND CASIC CABLE ANIMATION

SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
Los Angeles (August 18, 2009) -- Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) today reached agreement on the terms of new, two-year contracts covering Screen Actors Guild members working in Television Animation and Basic Cable Animation.
David Jolliffe, national co-chair of the Screen Actors Guild Television Animation and Basic Cable Animation Negotiating Committee said, "I am pleased that we have resolved this agreement and appreciate the hard work of all of our negotiating committee members. The committee worked tirelessly to give members across the country a voice in caucuses."
"The SAG animation community has a long history and a longstanding tradition of successfully completing negotiations. We are proud to say the tradition continues," said Loren Lester, co-chair of the Screen Actors Guild TV Animation and Basic Cable Animation Negotiating Committee.
"We welcome the ratification of these new agreements covering Screen Actors Guild talent in both broadcast animation and basic cable animation. These contracts will help to ensure continued production and employment, which is especially critical in today's economy," said the AMPTP.
The agreements are effective retroactive to June 10, 2009 and will expire concurrently with the TV/Theatrical agreement on June 30, 2011, and include:
· Effective annual wage increases of 3.0% retroactive to June 10, 2009 and 3.5% one year later.
· A .5% increase in pension contributions, also retroactive to June 10, 2009.
· New media terms reflect those negotiated under the TV/Theatrical agreement ratified in June 2009.
Other terms match those in the recently ratified TV/Theatrical agreement.
Immediate ratification of the Television Animation and Basic Cable Animation contracts was recommended by the Screen Actors Guild Animation Negotiating Committee and approved by the Screen Actors Guild National Executive Committee and will not require a referendum.

Monday, August 10, 2009

SAG ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES FOR 2009 NATIONAL OFFICER AND NATIONAL BOARD ELECTIONS

SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
Los Angeles (August 10, 2009) – Screen Actors Guild today released the official list of candidates for its upcoming national officer and national board elections. National president and national secretary-treasurer positions are up for election, both of which carry two-year terms. Approximately 1/3 of the total 69 national board seats are open for election this year.
National officer ballots will be mailed to all eligible SAG members nationwide on August 25 with a return deadline and tabulation on September 24. Election results are expected to be announced that evening. The same schedule will apply to the Hollywood and New York division elections.
The candidates for national president are Seymour Cassel, Ken Howard, Anne-Marie Johnson and Asmar Muhammad. The candidates for secretary-treasurer are Amy Aquino and Connie Stevens.
The Hollywood Division will elect 11 national board members and 22 alternates. Each seat is for a three-year term (all national board alternates serve for one year). The New York Division will elect four national board members and nine alternates. Each seat is for a three-year term (all national board alternates serve for one year).
Candidates for New York Division president are Mitchell Green and Mike Hodge.
Directors holding seven other national board seats will be elected from SAG Branches outside Hollywood and New York.
2009 SAG Hollywood Division Board Election Candidates(Candidate names are listed in random order, as they will appear on the ballot.)
1. Michelle Allsopp2. David Jolliffe3. Diane Ladd4. Elliott Gould5. Charley De La Peña6. Patrick Fabian7. Anne-Marie Johnson8. Pete Antico9. Jason George10. Dawnn Lewis11. Woody Schultz12. Michael O’Keefe13. Renee Taylor14. Clark Gregg15. Angeltompkins16. Ed Asner17. John Tremaine18. Anthony DeSantis19. David H. Lawrence XVII20. Amir Talai21. Doug Savant22. Dulé Hill23. Clyde Kusatsu24. Stefan Leonid Lysenko25. Tim DeKay26. Martin Sheen27. Charles Shaughnessy28. Assaf Cohen29. Mobin Khan30. Hector Herrera31. Bernie Casey32. Alan Rosenberg33. John Diehl34. L. Scott Caldwell35. D.W. Moffett36. Kevin Dobson37. Anne DeSalvo38. Ron Harper39. Mandy Steckelberg40. Richard Speight, Jr.41. Jeff Austin42. Shawn Patrick Lane43. Jenny O’Hara44. Peaches Johnson45. Alan Ruck46. Leigh French47. Joe Bologna48. Jerry Kernion49. Jane Austin50. Connie Stevens51. Joe d’Angerio52. Gabrielle Carteris53. Jordana Capra54. Reneé Aubry55. Hill Harper56. JP Hubbell57. Bill Smitrovich58. Bob Bergen59. Ned Vaughn60. Nancy Travis61. Clancy Brown62. Gregory Itzin63. Lauri Hendler64. Ellen Crawford65. Rico Bueno66. Ted Lang67. Stacey Travis68. Michele Santopietro69. DeWayne Williams70. David Clennon71. Carole Elliott72. Dan Kelpine73. Christian Clemenson74. Conrad E. Palmisano75. Richard Fancy76. Ed Harris77. Marcus Lindsey78. Robert Hays79. George Coe80. France Nuyen81. Marcia Wallace82. John Carroll Lynch83. Brett Cullen84. Larry Gelman85. Keith Johnson
2009 SAG New York Division Board Election Candidates(Candidate names are listed in order by randomly selecting a letter and then listing candidate names alphabetically by last name starting with the letter selected. Following is the order in which they will appear on the ballot.)
1. Sharon Washington2. Celia Weston3. Liz Zazzi4. Manny Alfaro5. Dave Bachman6. Marc Baron7. Justin Barrett8. Doug Boes9. Sam Freed10. Mitchell Green11. Sheila Head12. Ruth Last13. Melissa Leo14. Tony Lo Bianco15. Matt Mulhern16. Joe Narciso17. Erik-Anders Nilsson18. Lisa Marie Palmieri19. Jay Potter20. David Rasche21. John Rothman22. Kevin Scullin23. Monica Trombetta
2009 SAG Regional Branch Division Board Election Candidates(Candidate names are listed in alphabetical order, as they will appear on the ballot. In most Regional Branches where candidates ran for office unopposed, the candidates may be declared elected without the necessity of a membership vote*.)
ChicagoJohn Carter Brown
ColoradoDavid Hartley-Margolin* (elected)
FloridaDave Corey* (elected)
HawaiiScott Rogers* (elected)PhiladelphiaJoseph DeBonaHelen McNutt
PortlandMary McDonald-Lewis* (elected)
San DiegoDon AhlesDavid Lloyd

Friday, August 7, 2009

CONTRACTS '09: BASIC CABLE LIVE ACTION AGREEMENT BALLOT IN THE MAIL

Here's the official press release of the National Board's recommendation:

Los Angeles, CA (July 25, 2009) – The Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors today voted an overwhelming 95 percent to 5 percent to recommend a successor agreement to the 2006 Basic Cable Live Action Agreement, which covers dramatic television motion pictures, excluding animated television motion pictures, produced for initial exhibition on a basic cable service.

The tentative agreement, which would expire concurrently with the TV/Theatrical agreement on June 30, 2011, includes:

• Effective annual increases comprised of 3.0% in year one and 3.5% in year two in wage increases and .5% in pension contributions upon ratification.

Other terms match the terms of the recently approved TV/Theatrical agreement.

The motion states:

The National Board recommends the Basic Cable Live Action Agreement in a referendum to the membership, with supportive information about the contract and the contract itself.

Approved 95% - 5%

---------------------------------------
The Basic Cable Live Action Summary can be read HERE: http://www.sag.org/files/documents/2009BasicCable.pdf

"SAVE NEW YORK SAG NOW"

NEW YORK
This just in: a flyer from "SAVE NEW YORK SAG NOW", 7 August, 2009, responding to Membership First's attempts at gaining board seats in the '09 elections--

“SAGNOW” = MembershipFirst = Bad News for NY Actors
WHAT IS MEMBERSHIPFIRST?
MembershipFirst (MF) is the Hollywood political faction led by current SAG MF President, Alan
Rosenberg, 2009 MF Presidential candidate, Anne Marie Johnson and MF Secretary/Treasurer
candidate, Connie Stevens. Under their “leadership” MembershipFirst:
• Destroyed a 25-year joint negotiating relationship with AFTRA, which in turn neutralized our
leverage during the 2008-2009 TV/Theatrical negotiations.
• Cost SAG members $90 MILLION in earnings during the unnecessarily prolonged TV/Theatrical
negotiations.
• Cost actors MILLIONS MORE due to extending the old Commercials Contract for an additional six
months because TV/Theatrical negotiations weren’t finished.
• Squandered our money. During the last 4 years SAG’s budget went from showing a large surplus
to a $6.5 million deficit. Expenses climbed Millions/year while income declined.
WHAT IS “SAGNOW”? IT’S MEMBERSHIPFIRST IN NY.
MembershipFirst knows they can’t run under their own name in NY. Alan Rosenberg has called
the NY President “anti-union”, Ann Marie Johnson has censored communications from past and
current NY Presidents, and many MembershipFirst leaders have declared that NY members don’t
work enough to deserve a say in negotiations, because they had a different point of view. They’ve
lost seats in Hollywood and want to make up for them by running a slate in NY under the name
“SAGNOW”.
WHY IS MEMBERSHIPFIRST HIDING THEIR TRUE IDENTITY?
It’s not surprising that MembershipFirst candidates would create the dummy slate “SAGNOW” to
run on. NY members ratified the TV/Theatrical contract (that MF fought against) by a margin of
89% to 11% and would never support MembershipFirst candidates. MembershipFirst thinks
NYers would be fooled by a sham name change, and be attracted to some well-known faces and
names. That alone tells you how little respect they have for the NY membership.
- THEY CAN’T EVEN TRY TO DENY IT -
Melissa Leo, who heads the “SAGNOW”/MembershipFirst slate, co-hosted a
MembershipFirst fund-raiser in Santa Monica, appeared in a MembershipFirst video
urging members to vote no on the TV/Film contract and MembershipFirst leaders
announced Melissa Leo’s candidacy on June 26th. Backstage reported on June
29th, “…by running … Leo in New York, MembershipFirst hopes to win back the
majority on the national board.”
“SAGNOW” candidates Erik-Anders Nilsson and Matt Mulhern have made no secret
of their support for Rosenberg and MembershipFirst. Mulhern uses angry, expletive
laden blogs to promote the MembershipFirst agenda and to attack anyone who
disagrees with him. Nilsson has already run as a MembershipFirst candidate and
distributed their literature for years. Mitch Green, “SAGNOW” candidate for both the
Board and NY Division President, campaigned and ran with Lisa Scarola, supported
by Performers Alliance, which was the original name for MembershipFirst.
The other “SAGNOW” candidates, Tony LoBianco, Celia Weston and David Rasche
may simply have no idea that MembershipFirst has no interest in either “solidarity”
between the unions or “working in harmony” with NY and the Regional Branches.
But why run with a group without checking out their track record first?
- DON’T BE FOOLED -
Despite the complete failure of their “go it alone”, “my way or the highway” agenda
and negotiating strategy, MembershipFirst is more determined than ever to continue
following their destructive path. If they succeed in winning seats in NY with their
dishonest “SAGNOW” slate, NY SAG members can expect more isolation, more loss
of jurisdiction, and less of a voice than ever.
It’s a simple fact. “SAGNOW” is MembershipFirst. Vote for candidates
that will work for New York members’ interests –
VOTE THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE SLATE.
PAID FOR BY SAVE NY SAG NOW

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

SAG HOUSTON BRANCH ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS

SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
Los Angeles (August 5, 2009)—Screen Actors Guild today announced election results for the Houston Branch elections.
Candidates elected from the Houston Branch include:
Kit Gwin - Secretary/Treasurer - two-year termBob Boudreaux - Member at Large - two-year termBonnie Gallup - Member at Large - two-year termJ “Sonny” Opiela - Member at Large - two-year termPamela Denise Weaver - Member at Large - two-year term
Those members elected as Council Members at Large will also be elected as Alternate National Directors who may be called upon to serve at National Board Meetings when the National Board member from the Houston Branch is unavailable to attend.
The candidates named today ran unopposed and were elected without the necessity of ballot vote pursuant to the Branch Rules of Procedure. The newly elected leaders will assume office on September 25, 2009.
Elections are being conducted in other SAG Branches and divisions across the country with all ballots tabulated no later than September 24th. The results of those elections will be reported when completed.

SAG NEVADA BRANCH ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS

SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
Los Angeles (August 5, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild today announced election results for the Nevada Branch elections.
Candidates elected from the Nevada Branch include:Charles Di Pinto - Council Member at Large - two-year termScott Mirne - Council Member at Large - two-year termArttours Weeden - Council Member at Large - two-year term
Those members elected as Council Members at Large will also be elected as Alternate National Directors who may be called upon to serve at National Board Meetings when the National Board member from the Nevada Branch is unavailable to attend.
The candidates named today ran unopposed and were elected without the necessity of ballot vote pursuant to the Branch Rules of Procedure. The newly elected leaders will assume office on September 25, 2009.
Elections are being conducted in other SAG Branches and divisions across the country with all ballots tabulated no later than September 24th. The results of those elections will be reported when completed.

SAG DALLAS/FT. WORTH BRANCH ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS

SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
Los Angeles (August 5, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild today announced election results for the Dallas/Ft. Worth Branch elections.
Candidates elected from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Branch include:
Suzanne Burkhead - Vice President - two-year termBrian Dakota - Member at Large - two-year termAda Lynn - Member at Large - two-year termMarco Perella - Member at Large - two-year term
Those members elected as Council Members at Large will also be elected as Alternate National Directors who may be called upon to serve at National Board Meetings when the National Board member from Dallas/Ft. Worth Branch is unavailable to attend.
The candidates named today ran unopposed and were elected without the necessity of ballot vote pursuant to the Branch Rules of Procedure. The newly elected leaders will assume office on September 25, 2009.
Elections are being conducted in other SAG Branches and divisions across the country with all ballots tabulated no later than September 24th. The results of those elections will be reported when completed.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

AFTRANOW MESSAGE: AFTRA-BASHING MEMBERSHIP FIRST HAS COPIED OUR NAME-DON'T BE CONFUSED BY THEIR TACTICS

AFTRANOW's PRESS RELEASE FROM THEIR WEBSITE:

A Message From the Members of AftraNOW

Please be aware that a group from another union has imitated our name. This group, SAGNOW, is “Membership First” in New York and has made many negative comments regarding AFTRA, AftraNOW, and the leadership of AftraNOW. We should not be confused with them, are not affiliated with them, and have have no realtionship with Membership First /SAGNOW.

Traditionally, AftraNOW members have supported the members of ALT, the AFTRA Leadership Team, USAN, the United Screen Actors Network, and more recently, UFS, Unite For Strength.

New. Organized. Working. From the beginning, the thirty eight members of AftraNOW have sought to negotiate the best media contracts possible, whether for television, radio, or recorded music and sound. Our goal has always been to build our strength, grow our opportunity, and develop strategy to successfully meet the changes of our new century. Thanks to your continued support, we believe we are well on our way.