The Sag Reporter

PAMM FAIR, SAG DEPUTY NED, RESIGNS EFECTIVE DEC. 31, 2009

2009-11-25T10:33:00.000-08:00

Pamm Fair, who joined the Screen Actors Guild staff in 2002 and served as a deputy national executive director, is resigning from the organization effective December 31, 2009. No immediate replacement will be named to her position and Fair remains on staff through the end of the year to transition responsibilities.

Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard said, “On behalf of the Guild, I want to thank Pamm for her contributions and service to SAG members and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

National Executive Director David White said, “During her time with the Guild Pamm directed key efforts ranging from communications to high profile outreach. Over the last several years she has been engaged in redefining the Guild’s new media initiatives, organizing efforts and legislative advocacy on key Guild issues. Her contributions to the Guild have been varied and significant and I thank her for her dedicated service. I know I speak for all of us in wishing her continued success in this next phase of her journey.”

SAG SEMINAR--AGENCY CONTRACTS: DEC. 2, 2009

2009-11-25T10:31:00.000-08:00

Don’t Miss this SAG General Services Agreement Seminar on
“What You Need to Know About Your Agency Contract Before Signing It”
Wednesday, December 2, 2009

What: Screen Actors Guild National Agency staff will hold a bi-coastal educational seminar on general service agreements, or GSAs (i.e. the contracts that ATA/NATR agents have been using to represent our members instead of the standard SAG agency contract). These GSA contracts are signed outside of SAG’s protection, and it is imperative that members have a working knowledge of what these contracts say before signing them—your professional future and your income may depend on it. This educational seminar will be especially helpful to any member who is having trouble making sense of the complicated legal language contained in the contracts that their agents have provided them. We urge all SAG members to attend. This event will not be taped.

When: 12-2:30 p.m. (PST) and 3-5:30 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, December 2, 2009

(RSVP required*)

Where:
Los Angeles: James Cagney Board Room (first floor), 5757 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Parking will be validated.
New York: NY Boardroom, 360 Madison Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017

Who: The seminar will be conducted by the National Director and Senior Counsel of Agency Relations, Zino Macaluso, and the Senior Agency Manager, Xochitl Cerda, in Los Angeles. Members in New York will participate live via videoconference. We strongly encourage all members who attend to bring a notepad and pen with them to these meetings.

*RSVP: Performers interested in attending should immediately email the Guild’s agency mailbox at agentquestion@sag.org. Please write SAG GSA Seminar—Reservation in the subject line. YOU MUST ALSO INDICATE IF YOU ARE PARTICIPATING FROM HOLLYWOOD OR NEW YORK. Only those members who have received confirmation emails from SAG may attend, so please act quickly as seating is limited.

Questions about upcoming events should be directed to the SAG Agency Department at (323) 549-6745 (Hollywood) or (212) 827-1445. (Any performer who has to cancel a reservation is asked to notify SAG immediately so that members on the waiting list may be contacted). Thank you. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, December 2, 2009.

All paid-up SAG members in good standing will be able to 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).

AFTRA APPROVES VIDEO GAME CONTRACT EXTENTION FOR AFFECTED MEMBER RATIFICATION

2009-10-25T20:15:00.000-07:00

AFTRA National Board of Directors Meets for Fall Plenary

Approves Video Game Contract Extension for Affected Member Ratification

LOS ANGELES AND NEW YORK (October 24, 2009)—The National Board of Directors of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), a national union of more than more 70,000 performers, journalists, broadcasters, recording artists and other talent working in the entertainment and news media, met today by videoconference plenary in Los Angeles and New York.

The AFTRA National Board approved that the tentative agreement with the video game industry for an extension to the AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement, which is currently set to expire on December 31, 2009, be sent out for ratification by a referendum vote of the affected members who perform work under the contract. The Board is sending out the referendum with an overwhelming and strong recommendation for a yes vote on the new terms. The AFTRA Interactive Media Steering Committee, which is made up of members from around the country who work under this agreement, and the AFTRA Administrative Committee previously approved and recommended to the Board the tentative agreement, which was reached with video game employers in early October. If ratified, the 15-month extension will take effect on January 1, 2010, and remain in full force until March 31, 2011.

The extension delivers a 2.5 percent wage increase and a 0.2 percent increase in employer contributions to the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds, both effective April 1, 2010, and a new liquidated damages payment provision to incentivize employers to give notice of vocally stressful work – the first-ever such payment under any union contract. The agreement also preserves the extra “Remote Delivery” payment for performers – currently 135 percent of the original session fee – and establishes a new category of performance called “Atmospheric Performer” that will provide the potential for organizing additional work opportunities for union performers.

“AFTRA members pioneered union work under the Interactive Media Agreement in the early 1990s, and today this contract generates millions of dollars in earnings and benefits for thousands of AFTRA members in both large and small markets around the nation,” said AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon. “As recommended by the Board, it is critical that AFTRA members who work under this agreement and who understand the needs of performers working in video games vote yes to ratify this contract. A yes vote will enable union performers to continue building union density in order to grow their fair share of this multi-billion dollar industry.”

In her report to the Board, AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth announced that the union is moving forward on the internal organizing plan overwhelmingly approved by delegates to the AFTRA National Convention this past summer.

Hedgpeth said, “Anticipating the hard battles ahead in the upcoming 2010 contract negotiations, starting with the Sound Recordings Code which expires on June 30, AFTRA members must work together to build even greater leverage to the confront the challenges in our industries.”

Hedgpeth also reported that the AFTRA Los Angeles Local Unable to Locate (UTL) Fund has paid more than $2 million to more than 3,000 members since 2007. A new tracking system was implemented in September 2008 to help identify and locate members for whom the union receives payments, but is unable to find through standard procedures.

Past National President Shelby Scott, who serves as Union Chair of the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds Board of Trustees, reported that as of September 2009, the Retirement Fund investments are up more than $100 million since she last reported to the Board in August at its face-to-face plenary in Chicago, and the Health Fund has more than a year’s reserves.

In other actions, the Board approved a number of member committee appointments, and received reports from the Finance, Equal Employment Opportunities, Governance and Health and Retirement Issues Committees.

The AFTRA National Board is next scheduled to meet via videoconference plenary session in Los Angeles and New York in February 2010.

SAG INTERACTIVE MEDIA CONTRACTS MEETINGS THIS WEEK: OCTOBER 26 AND 27, 2009

2009-10-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

Start: 10/26/2009 - 2:00pm
End: 10/27/2009 - 9:00pm

Screen Actors Guild to Hold Ratification Meetings in Four Cities for the Purpose of Voting on the Tentative Deal Between Producers and Screen Actors Guild Regarding the 2009 Interactive Media Agreement

You are invited to attend the following Ratification Meetings to VOTE on the Tentative Agreement reached between the Producers and Screen Actors Guild regarding the 2009 Interactive Media Agreement, which covers video games.

Please inform your fellow union members who work under this agreement about this important meeting. Participation is limited only by fire department regulations.

Date: Monday, October 26, 2009

San Francisco: 2-3:30 p.m. PDT
Regus Center
One Market, Spear Tower, Suite 3600
San Francisco, California 94105
RSVP via email at SFRSVP@sag.org or by phone at (415) 391-7510
Use of public transportation is recommended for this location

New York: 7-8:30 p.m. EDT
Leon Janney Board Room
360 Madison Ave, 14th floor
New York, NY 10017
RSVP to Courtney Doherty via email at cdoherty@sag.org or by phone at (212) 827-1402

Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Chicago: 7-8:30 p.m. CDT
McCorkle Court Reporters
200 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60601
RSVP to via email at ChicagoRSVP@sag.org or by phone at (312) 867-2547

Los Angeles: 7:30-9 p.m. PDT
James Cagney Board Room, ground floor
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
RSVP to Mary Hashimoto via email at mhashimoto@sag.org or by phone at (323) 549-6453
Parking will be validated.

All paid-up SAG members in good standing can 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).

AFTRA MEMBERSHIP INCREASE NOVEMBER 1, 2009

2009-10-23T16:44:00.001-07:00

Please note the initiation fee to join the American Federation of Television
and Radio Artists (AFTRA) will increase from the current $1,300 to $1,600 effective November 1, 2009 with the increase to be specifically earmarked for organizing.

They will still offer a payment plan after November 1 of course, but they wanted to make sure that those of you considering AFTRA membership were aware of this scheduled increase.

More info contact: AFTRA

DAVID WHITE APPOINTED SAG'S NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

2009-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

WHITE CAN DROP "INTERIM" FROM HIS TITLE.

NATIONAL BOARD MEETING GOES INTO SECOND DAY.

NO RESPONSE FROM MEMBERSHIP FIRST PARTISANS AT PRESS TIME.

NO OFFICIAL BREAKDOWN OF HOW BOARD MEMS VOTED.

from SAG's press release:

Los Angeles (October 18, 2009) -- Screen Actors Guild announced today that its National Board of Directors appointed David P. White as National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator. White has been serving as the Guild's Interim National Executive Director since January of this year.

The board approved a two-year contract, by a vote of 70.91% to 29.09% at its national board meeting in Los Angeles this weekend.

Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard commented, "I am very pleased that our board has selected David White as National Executive Director. David is a highly skilled professional, with a remarkable ability to listen to the concerns of all sides of complex issues. He is respected by members and staff and I am confident that under his leadership, the Guild will continue building on the achievements he has overseen in the past nine months. We now have six previously open contracts ratified, new cost saving and administrative improvements in place, and innovative initiatives underway. I congratulate David on this position and look forward to working with him during my term as President."

White stated, "I am honored to accept this position and want to thank the National Board, and the many members who have reached out to me, for their support and statements of confidence in my leadership. I particularly want to extend my personal thanks to my colleague John McGuire for stepping up to the plate during this transition.

"We will continue to get our house in order-financially and strategically. I have great confidence in the Guild's ability to navigate the dramatic changes taking place in our industry. Screen Actors Guild has a remarkable history and we look forward to the extraordinary future that we know awaits us."

Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino stated, "Screen Actors Guild is extremely lucky to have David White at the helm for another two years. From his hiring nine months ago, he made it a top priority to make a clear and unflinching assessment of SAG's financial situation, and then he took the difficult and necessary steps to address it. David truly appreciates and admires actors and understands the challenges we face as professionals. His expertise and previous tenure at the Guild make him the perfect choice for this crucial position, and his strategic vision will help SAG thrive as we navigate this critical phase in our history."

SAG veteran executive John McGuire, who was appointed chief negotiator when White came on as interim national executive director, will continue as senior advisor.
Prior to rejoining the Guild staff, where he previously served as General Counsel from 2002 to 2006, White was Managing Principal of Los Angeles-based Entertainment Strategies Group (ESG) providing consulting services to the entertainment industry.

During his tenure as the Guild's General Counsel, White directed the organization's 40-person legal and governance staff, and played a central role in contract negotiations, strategic planning efforts and diversity programs.

A graduate of Stanford Law School and a Rhodes Scholar, White was a labor and employment attorney at O'Melveny & Myers LLP before joining the executive ranks of SAG. Prior to law school, White served as Executive Director of the neighborhood-based, non-profit Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Inc. He also consulted for the Department of Justice, the Chapin Hall Center for Children (University of Chicago) and a variety of urban development projects in the United States, England and South Africa.

White has been selected as a "Southern California Super Lawyer - Rising Star" and has received numerous other awards for his work and service throughout his career. He is the former Co-Chair of the Sports & Entertainment Labor Law Standing Committee of the American Bar Association. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Grinnell College, and was appointed by the Mayor of Los Angeles as a Commissioner for urban area planning and development. White has served on the Board of Advisors for the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel and a member of the Board of Advisors for the Posse Foundation-LA, an organization dedicated to expanding educational and leadership opportunities to students across Los Angeles County.

White has been a contributing writer for the Los Angeles Lawyer and, as a frequent commentator on entertainment industry trends, has been quoted on National Public Radio's "Marketplace," and in the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Daily Journal, the Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, Broadcasting & Cable, and other publications.

SAG/AFTRA APPROVE EXTENTION ON INDUSTRIAL/EDUCATIONAL CONTRACT

2009-10-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles (October 15, 2009)-Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced today that the AFTRA Administrative Committee and Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors have approved an 18-month extension to the SAG Industrial and Educational Contract and AFTRA Code of Fair Practice for Non Broadcast/Industrial/Educational Recorded Material. The contracts, which were set to expire on Oct. 29, 2009, will now be effective Nov. 1, 2009, to April 30, 2011.

In addition to the extended term, the agreement includes a 0.5% increase in employer contributions to the Screen Actors Guild-Producers Pension and Health Plans and AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds, effective Nov. 1, 2009, and an important clarification that work produced under the contracts is not and never has been intended for the production of commercials.

Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard said, “These contracts are critical to our members across the country and extending them gives us the opportunity to strategize ways to increase covered work under the agreements. The successful extension of the Industrial and Educational Contract directly reflects the continued importance of joint bargaining and allows our members to continue to work under a fair contract for the next year and a half, and with a bump to their pension and health.”

Roberta Reardon, AFTRA National President praised the extension saying: “Work under the Non-Broadcast/Industrial Code rarely grabs headlines or elevates performers to celebrity status. It does something far more important: it provides steady employment for thousands of union members in small and large markets across the nation. This extension will keep our members working, increase their opportunities to qualify for health and retirement benefits and will permit our unions the opportunity to organize more work for more members under this contract.”

“We’re glad to have achieved this extension jointly with AFTRA and look forward to joint negotiations again on the Industrial and Educational Contract in 2011,” said Ray Rodriguez, the Screen Actors Guild deputy national executive director who oversees contracts.

“The increase in employer contributions to our health and retirement plans, along with the confirmation by the industry that the Non-Broadcast Code cannot be used for commercial production are important achievements in this extension agreement,” said Mathis L. Dunn, Jr., Chief Negotiator for AFTRA.

The extension agreement was negotiated by both unions under the terms of the AFL-CIO facilitated Joint Commercials Contracts Negotiating Agreement, which governs the bargaining and administration of the 2009-2012 Commercials contracts, and was expanded earlier this summer to cover the 2009 negotiation of the AFTRA Non-Broadcast/Industrial Contract and the SAG Industrial and Educational Contract. The Chief Negotiator for the Industry Lee W. Gluckman Jr., who represented the employers in the negotiations said, “This extended agreement will quite beneficial to producers and their clients in growing production. The ‘no commercials here’ clarification is also an important addition to the contract.”

The SAG and AFTRA contracts cover performers rendering on-camera and voiceover services in sales programs, educational and training videos, informational and promotional messages seen in stores and video included in certain consumer products, and other projects that are exhibited outside of the traditional broadcast arena (with AFTRA’s contract also covering audio-only content, such as telephone messages and sound included in consumer products).

CAROL LOMBARDINI NAMED PRESIDENT OF THE AMPTP

2009-10-15T18:11:00.000-07:00

FROM THE ALLIANCE OF MOTION PICTURE AND TELEVISION PRODUCERS PRESS RELEASE:

October 15, 2009

Carol Lombardini named President of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers

Veteran negotiator Carol Lombardini has been named President of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the industry’s bargaining representative in labor negotiations with the motion picture industry Guilds and Unions in the United States and Canada.

Lombardini has played an instrumental role in the more than 300 major Guild and Union contracts negotiations over the course of her 27-year career at AMPTP. As AMPTP President, Lombardini will serve as the industry’s chief negotiator on more than 80 industry-wide collective bargaining agreements on behalf of over 350 motion picture and television producers.

READ THE REST HERE.

MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS-OCTOBER 2009

2009-10-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

2009 National Membership Meeting October 18 and
Important Information about the Commercials Contract

[1] Join us at the 2009 National Membership Meeting, Saturday, October 18

[2] Important Information about The Commercials Contract

In observance of Columbus Day, Screen Actors Guild will be closed Monday, October 12.

[1] Join us at the 2009 National Membership Meeting, Saturday, October 18

Come be heard at the 2009 National Membership Meeting.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2009
2-3 p.m. – Mixer with national board, staff and members, visit Committee tables, sign-up for speakers list for an opportunity to speak at the microphone during the open forum section of meeting
3-6 p.m. – Meeting/Q&A

Where: Beverly Hills Ballroom at The Beverly Hilton
9876 Wilshire Blvd.

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.beverlyhilton.com

Parking: Parking will be validated. Please read all posted signage. Guild is not responsible for illegally parked vehicles.

Agenda:

· Reports by President Ken Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino and Interim National Executive Director David White

· Find out about SAG member events and activities

· Purchase thesagshop.com merchandise

· Register for SAG 24/7 and iActor®

No RSVP necessary. For more information call (323) 549-6447 or email specialevents@sag.org.

The membership meeting is only open to paid-up SAG members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guest 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).

[2] Important Information about The Commercials Contract

Did you know?

You may have noticed the rapidly changing pace of the industry and of technology itself. It seems like every week a commercial breakdown comes out with new terminology in it that makes you question which Screen Actors Guild contract the job falls under. In an effort to clarify some commonly used terms and how they apply to the Commercials Contract, we have chosen two areas of discussion that we, the SAG staff, get questions on every day. We hope you find them useful.

#1 WEBISODES and WEB CONTENT

The term “webisode” is used to describe content that is made for and airs specifically on the Internet. For the framework of this discussion, the terms “webisode” and “web content” will be applied specifically to commercials and ad-related content. A webisode is a one-off commercial for an advertiser or a web series created for a long term campaign. A webisode or web content for an advertiser may or may not feature a product. Ad campaigns with overtly entertainment-based content and no typical commercial message are known as “branded entertainment” or “branded content.” With branded content, an advertiser attempts to link its product or service with a wider audience by adding another creative layer to its brand marketing strategy. Sometimes the advertiser will create a microsite–a webpage separate from the advertiser’s homepage that may have a different domain name – on which to air the webisode(s), so at first there may appear to be no direct link to the advertiser. Branded content/entertainment is financed by the advertiser. Under the Commercials Contract, a webisode can be anywhere from 15 seconds to 3 minutes in length. Any web content of significant length is evaluated by SAG staff to determine whether it falls under the Commercials Contract or the Industrial & Educational Contract. SAG has had jurisdiction over Internet commercials since 2000.

#2 MOBISODES and NEW MEDIA CONTENT

The term “mobisode” was originally coined to define television episodes that were reformatted for mobile devices/cell phones and for episodic content created specifically for mobile devices/cell phones. This term has expanded to include commercials and/or branded entertainment shown on mobile devices. Under the Commercials Contract, new media is defined as “digital, electronic, or any other type of delivery platform including, but not limited to, commercials delivered to mobile phones and other digital and electronic media. The term new media is intended to be all inclusive of digital, electronic or any other type of delivery platform, whether now known or unknown.” Please be aware that for commercials, the term new media does not apply to commercials on the Internet. A commercial that is available for viewing by using the web browser on a BlackBerry would be considered Internet use. A commercial that pops up on a cell phone via a digital network available only from a particular wireless provider (i.e., Verizon) would be considered new media use. SAG has had jurisdiction over new media commercials since 2006.

Questions? Please contact the Commercials Contract Department: Los Angeles (323) 549-6858 / New York (212) 827-1454

DIGITAL MEDIA LAW OPINES ON THE ROSENBERG/SAG LAWSUIT

2009-10-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Jonathan Handle reports on the on-going lawsuit filed by ex-President Alan Rosenberg and current VP Anne Marie Johnson against The Screen Actor's Guild.

Alan Rosenberg is no longer president of SAG, nor even a national board member, but his lawsuit against his own union drags on pointlessly. Believe it or not, he’s still trying to undo Doug Allen’s firing, the appointment of David White, the ratification of the TV/theatrical contract and, no doubt, the discovery of a new ring around Saturn. That last is probably a particularly bitter blow for the ex-president.

Rosenberg and his fellow Membership First plaintiffs 1st VP Anne-Marie-Johnson and board members Diane Ladd and Kent McCord might see some reason to continue the charade, but the Court of Appeal is apparently more skeptical: in a one-paragraph letter to counsel last week, the court asked both sides’ lawyers to be prepared to discuss at oral argument whether the appeal is moot, given that the SAG board reaffirmed Allen’s dismissal and White’s appointment, and the membership at large ratified the TV/theatrical agreement.

Read more HERE at Digital Media Law.

SAG CLOSED MONDAY OCTOBER 12, 2009!

2009-10-07T18:35:00.000-07:00

FOR COLUMBUS DAY. SAG RE-OPENS ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009.

WASH-BALT RBD: NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH OCT. 10-11, 2009

2009-10-07T18:33:00.000-07:00

Join Screen Actors Guild at the National Equality March

Washington D.C., October 10-11, 2009

Please join SAG members, staff, allies and National Chairs Jason Stuart and Chad Tyler of the SAG National LGBT Actors Committee, as we gather in the nation’s capital to let elected leaders know that now is the time for full federal equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Please let us know if you’re planning to attend the National Equality March: Email us at LGBTactors@sag.org and please put ‘DC March’ in the subject line.

Saturday No-Host Meet-and-Greet

6 - 8 p.m., Saturday Oct. 10

Nellie’s Sports Bar

900 U Street, NW

Washington, DC 20001

(202) 332-NELL (6355)

METRO: Green Line U St / Shaw

(1 block away from the U Street African American War Memorial Metro Station)

www.nelliessportsbar.com

Sunday March with SAG LGBT Actors Committee, SAG Members, Staff & Allies

Meet and assembly time: 11 a.m. - noon Sunday, October 11

Noon: March

We will assemble at the statue of David G. Farragut in the center of the

Farragut Square Park (click for map)

(Nearest Metro stops are Farragut West and Farragut North)

Look for the Screen Actors Guild banner.

Once we have all gathered, we will proceed to the march route a few blocks away.

To get updates on the march and other events that day, please let us know if you plan to attend by sending an email to LGBTactors@sag.org and put ‘DC March’ in the subject line.

For New York City Area Members:

Marriage Equality NY (MENY) is organizing buses and buses/hotels from New York City metro area to Washington, D.C.

Please contact dcmarch@meny.us for full info, to volunteer, to donate, etc.

For more information about the National Equality March and related events: http://equalityacrossamerica.org

Click to download PDF file of the march route and click to download a large map of the DC area.

SAG PUTS JOHNSON BACK IN THE VP SEAT

2009-10-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK'S MIKE HODGE 2ND VICE PRESIDENT

FROM SAG:

SAG Division Elections Held in Hollywood and New York
Hollywood Board of Directors Re-elects Anne-Marie Johnson 1st Vice President;
New York Board of Directors Elects Mike Hodge 2nd Vice President
Los Angeles (Oct. 7, 2009) – The Screen Actors Guild Hollywood Division Board of Directors and New York Division Board of Directors elected the union’s 1st vice president and 2nd vice president on Monday. The Hollywood Division Board re-elected by acclamation Anne-Marie Johnson to the position of 1st vice president of Screen Actors Guild. The 1st vice president also serves as chair of the Hollywood Division Board. The New York Division Board elected Division President Mike Hodge to the position of 2nd vice president.

1st Vice President Anne-Marie Johnson said, “I am honored to have been re-elected 1st vice president of the Screen Actors Guild and I hope to continue to help lead with honesty, inclusion and determination. We are and will be facing extraordinary challenges and it is my responsibility, as SAG’s 1st V.P., to do my best to continue to put the concerns and well being of SAG members first.

“I would again like to thank and express my deepest appreciation to Alan Rosenberg for his tireless dedication and love for this union, and to Connie Stevens for her hard work on behalf of the members. I look forward to serving alongside President Ken Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino and the newly elected and returning SAG board members. For the union’s sake, I hope we find that we have more in common with regard to the future of the Screen Actors Guild than it may appear.”

New York Division President and 2nd Vice President Mike Hodge said, “I’m excited and looking forward to a year of very productive volunteering. We’re not out of the woods yet, but I think we can make some real progress this year.”

Johnson is a 25-year SAG member who has served the Guild on the Hollywood Division and National boards over the course of the last decade. She is an accomplished film and television actor and has starred in several successful television series, including In The Heat of the Night, What’s Happening Now, In Living Color and Melrose Place. Johnson co-starred as Donna Cabonna on The Disney Channel’s hit television series That’s So Raven, and for five seasons she portrayed Congresswoman Bobbie Latham on CBS’ hit military drama JAG.

Johnson appeared for two seasons on the hit UPN comedy Girlfriends as “Sharon Upton Farley.” Her feature film credits include L.A. Riots Spectacular, Hollywood Shuffle, Strictly Business, I’m Gonna Git U Sucka, Robotjox, True Identity, Down in the Delta, Pursuit of Happiness and Legacy of A Hit Man.

Johnson has served three prior terms as 1st national vice president and has also served as chair of the SAG National Ethnic Employment Opportunity, Communications and Legislative committees.

Hodge has been on the Screen Actors Guild Board of Directors for nine years. As a national director, he has served as New York Division secretary and vice president. As a member of the New York Division Legislative Committee, he testified before the New York City Council in the successful effort to get city tax incentives and furthered lobbying efforts at the New York State Legislature. (The additional incentives have been significantly responsible for the growth of television and film production in the city and state.) He has also been a part of the Guild Governance, Communications and Negotiations committees. Hodge’s acting has included guest-starring roles in television with recurring work on Law and Order and Fringe, as well as film, commercial and stage work, including four Broadway shows.

The Regional Branch Division will elect the 3rd national vice president at its next two-day board meeting October 15 and 16.

AFTRA: ARTISTS TO ASK OBAMA ADMIN TO PROTECT COPYRIGHT

2009-10-07T18:21:00.000-07:00

FROM THE AFTRA PRESS RELEASE:

ARTISTS TO ASK ADMINISTRATION TO PROTECT COPYRIGHT

GRASSROOTS NETWORK OF CREATORS CIRCULATES LETTER

AFTRA, as a founding member of the Copyright Alliance, is joining a grassroots network of creators to circulate among those in the arts and entertainment community nationwide a letter to President Obama and Vice President Biden, asking the Administration to pursue policies supportive of the rights of artists.

"I urge our members and supporters to join creators nationwide to ensure the creative work of American performers continue to receive protection from theft and exploitation," said AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon. "By upholding copyright protection, creators will have the ability to earn a living from their work and talent which further enriches American culture and the world.”

There has been a rapid internal response to the letter, which within a few days of circulation among the Alliance's grassroots network garnered nearly 7,000 electronic signatures. With artists encouraging participation within their personal networks on blogs and Twitter feeds, the letter already has been signed by creators in all 50 states and representing a full spectrum of creative disciplines.

"Artists and creators make important contributions not only to our society and culture, but also to our economy," said Lucinda Dugger, the Alliance's Director of Outreach. "Increasingly, creators are finding their work misappropriated, reproduced and distributed without their knowledge, consent or benefit by those who believe intellectual property should be free for the taking. It is important that creators speak up about their works and how the principle of copyright empowers and provides incentive for creators to earn a living with their talents and ideas."

Signers include authors, photographers, songwriters, graphic designers, filmmakers, musicians, publishers, jewelry designers, web designers, photojournalists, illustrators, video game developers, architects, cartoonists, composers, playwrights, voice actors, animators, sculptors, painters and videographers.

Creative works are a key contributor to America's economy. In 2007, copyright industries in the U.S. contributed $1.52 trillion to the nation's GDP. They employed over 11 million workers and represented over 43 percent of the U.S. economy's total real growth between 2006 and 2007. [Source: Copyright Industries in the U.S. Economy, the 2003-2007 Report; Stephen E. Siwek, Economists Inc. for the International Intellectual Property Alliance].

"We believe the Obama Administration understands and values the important contributions creators make in our society," said Copyright Alliance Executive Director Patrick Ross. "The appointment of Victoria Espinel to the position of Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator was a strong sign by the Administration that it believes in the importance of creators' rights and seeing those rights are enforced here and abroad. But there is much more that needs to be done, such as ensuring Ms. Espinel has the tools and resources to do her job and receives the cooperation she needs from key officials throughout the Administration. We'll be watching with optimism."

AFTRA, along with the Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (IATSE), Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) joined together on Sept. 25 to support Obama's nomination of Espinel.

Individuals interested in signing the letter can do so at www.copyrightalliance.org/letter. The Alliance intends to deliver the letter to the Administration later this fall.

UNIONS REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON VIDEO GAME CONTRACTS

2009-10-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

FROM THE SAG PRESS RELEASE:

Los Angeles (October 2, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) today announced they have reached tentative agreements with video game companies on new contracts. The agreements -- which become effective upon ratification and remain in full force until March 30, 2011 - achieve parity between the AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild contracts and include contemporaneous expiration dates of March 30, 2011.

In addition, the contracts deliver a 3 percent wage increase upon ratification for SAG, thereby bringing SAG's wages into parity with AFTRA's, and another 2.5 percent increase on April 1, 2010, for both unions. Both pacts contain increases in benefit contributions and a liquidated damages provision to incentivize employers to give notice of vocally stressful work.

The contracts also establish a new category of performance for "atmospheric voices" that is designed to increase work opportunities for union performers by allowing Producers the flexibility to record multiple minor character voices in a single session. The agreements also establish a cap of $125,000 on contributions to the AFTRA Health and Retirement and SAG Pension and Health funds. The cap will only apply to performers who are paid more than $125,000 by a single producer in a single year for work done on the same game franchise.

The tentative agreements must be approved by Screen Actors Guild's National Board of Directors and the AFTRA Administrative Commitee, both of which will meet in the coming weeks.

Highlights of these agreements include:

* The achievement of parity between the SAG and AFTRA contracts including contemporaneous expiration on March 30, 2011.
* A 3% wage increase for Screen Actors Guild members upon ratification and additional 2.5% increase on April 1, 2010, for both unions.
* A .5% increase in the pension and health contribution rate for Screen Actors Guild member effective upon ratification and another .2% on January 1, 2010, for both unions (bringing the total rate to 15%).
* The establishment of a $100 liquidated damage for failure to give notice of vocally stressful work.
* An agreement to develop during the term of the contract a set of guidelines for conducting vocally stressful work.

PRESIDENT HOWARD'S FIRST OFFICIAL APPEARANCE RECOGNIZES DIVERSITY

2009-09-30T11:58:00.000-07:00

FROM THE SAG PRESS RELEASE:

LOS ANGELES (September 30, 2009)—Newly minted Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard made his first public appearance in his official capacity Monday night. The event was a SAG American Indian membership caucus hosted by SAG National President’s Task Force on American Indians, and SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity.

Howard’s remarks demonstrated his strong, personal commitment to diversity within the entertainment industry, which also has been an ongoing historical mission of Screen Actors Guild.

“”We all know the media does not accurately reflect the full range of the American Scene,” Howard said. And we all know we have not reached our goals for diverse portrayals or diverse casting.”

The president’s appearance served as a commencement of a wide variety of programs and initiatives honoring Screen Actors Guild’s Diversity Awareness Month in October. (Click here for a complete calendar of events.)

“By pulling together we can achieve a greater awareness and commitment to fair employment practices on the part of industry decision-makers and ultimately we will see expanded casting and hiring,” Howard told members.

But he noted that making strides is never easy.

Jaisey Bates, Vice-Chair, DeLanna Studi, National Chair, Ken Howard and Brian Wescott, Membership Caucus Subcommittee Chair
From left to right: Jaisey Bates, Vice-Chair, DeLanna Studi, National Chair, Ken Howard and Brian Wescott, Membership Caucus Subcommittee Chair

Howard related his own experiences in pitching The White Shadow to network television in the 1970s. The story chronicled the efforts of a white high school basketball coach working with a predominantly African American inner-city team. While the show was ultimately produced, achieving critical acclaim and syndication, there were initial concerns that audiences might not respond to a drama featuring so many non-Caucasian actors in major roles.

While views on diversity have evolved, there is more work to do and Screen Actors Guild members can help change attitudes, Howard said.

The audience, which included about a half dozen Writers Guild of America, West cardholders, also were empowered by a screening of a segment from the PBS miniseries Trail of Tears and subsequent panel discussion with casting director Rene Haynes, actor Russell Means, actor Tonantzin Carmelo, President’s National Task Force Chair Delanna Studi and SAG Affirmative Action Diversity National Director Rebecca Yee.

For more information about upcoming Diversity and Affirmative Action Events, check the Diversity page of SAG.org, or e-mail diversity@sag.org with questions.

SAG DECLARES OCTOBER 2009 "DIVERSITY AWARENESS MONTH"

2009-09-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

FROM SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:

Month to Feature Special Events, Release of Diversity Casting Reports

Los Angeles (September 29, 2009) — Screen Actors Guild announced today that it has declared October “Diversity Awareness Month.” For decades, SAG has been a leader in advocating diverse hiring of underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, women, seniors, LGBT actors and performers with disabilities in the entertainment industry.

While the Guild works year round to advance issues of employment diversity, it is shining a spotlight during October on the efforts of its Affirmative Action & Diversity Department, as well as the union’s various diversity committees comprised of SAG members.

“Screen Actors Guild historically and consistently has strived for fairness and diversity both within our Guild and the industry at large,” said Interim National Executive Director David White.

“We are continuously working to make a difference toward a more representational, multicultural community,” White said. “I encourage all of our friends in the creative community to work toward a more diverse and accurate media landscape and invite them to participate in our diversity events in October and throughout the year.”

“Screen Actors Guild’s membership is made up of diverse actors,” said SAG Ethnic Employment Opportunities National Committee Chair Sumi Haru. “It is the media’s responsibility to be a reflection of its diverse audience and our members deserve a fair opportunity to be employed. While we’ve certainly seen improvements in this area over the years, SAG continues in its quest to fully make the media reflective of the American scene.”

In October, SAG will release various diversity-based reports and videos via SAG.org, including the highly anticipated Casting Data Report. This analysis of hiring statistics based on ethnicity/race, age and gender is an instrumental tool used by the entertainment industry.

“Diversity issues in the workplace, such as equal employment and representation as well as prevention of harassment and discrimination, impact all employees on a daily basis,” said National Director/Senior EEO Counsel of SAG Affirmative Action & Diversity Rebecca Yee.

The month features a dozen events either sponsored by SAG or where SAG members are participating in an effort to make visible those who are invisible in media. A full list of events is available online here.

SAG kicked off its celebration on Monday, Sept. 28 with the National President’s Task Force on American Indians Membership Caucus where SAG National President Ken Howard addressed the Guild’s American Indian membership.

Additional highlights of the month include:

Sept. 30 – Reading Between the Lines: Uncovering Unconscious Bias
Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild of American West, Americans for American Values, Kirwan Institute and the Equal Justice Society present a panel discussion on unconscious bias and insights that challenge and inspire new ideas in developing and producing programming that reflects the true diversity of our rapidly changing society. Opening remarks by Norman Lear. Writers Guild of America, West, 7000 West Third Street, Los Angeles, California 90048, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 7 – Out in Hollywood III: The Rise of the LGBT Actor
In celebration of National Coming Out Day, SAG National LGBT Actors Committee and GLAAD present a panel of LGBT actors, director-producers and casting professionals to explore the challenges and opportunities of being out in entertainment. Featuring Mad Men’s Bryan Batt, Oscar-winner Dan Jinks, Emmy-winner Paris Barclay, and more. SAG James Cagney Board Room, 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 10 & 11 – National Equality March in Washington, D.C.
SAG National LGBT Actors Committee leads a group of members, staff and allies marching for full federal equality for LGBT people.

Oct. 19 – 18th Annual Access Awards
Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities and Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will present an Access Award to the tri-union (SAG, AFTRA, AEA) I AM PWD campaign for its “leadership, commitment and outstanding contribution for advancing equality and access for people with disabilities.” Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens, Downtown Los Angeles

Oct. 24 – The Hollywood Disabilities Forum
The tri-union I AM PWD campaign, in partnership with WGAW Writers with Disabilities and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, presents an executive industry conference on accuracy, inclusion and access of people with disabilities in entertainment. UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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About SAG
Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents over 120,000 actors who work in film and digital motion pictures and television programs, commercials, video games, industrials, Internet and all new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at SAG.org.

SAG ELECTION '09: HOWARD AND AQUINO WIN !!!

2009-09-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

KEN HOWARD WINS SAG NATIONAL PRESIDENCY. AMY AQUINO WINS SECRETARY-TREASURER. MODERATES SHOW WELL IN ALL AREAS OF ELECTION.
LOW VOTER TURN-OUT. MEMBERSHIP FIRST DELIVERS 'NAMES' IN HOLLYWOOD BOARD RACE. UNITE FOR STRENGTH SHOWS GREATER STRENGTH IN HOLLYWOOD, NY AND THE RBD.

FROM THE SAG PRESS RELEASE:

Guild Also Announces Results of National Board Elections

Los Angeles (September 24, 2009)—Screen Actors Guild today announced results of elections for its top two elected positions. Ken Howard will serve as Screen Actors Guild president and Amy Aquino will serve as secretary-treasurer. Both will serve two-year terms beginning September 25.

Ballots were mailed to 99,485 paid-up SAG members on August 25, and 27,295 were tabulated today, for a return of 27.44 percent. Presidential candidates Ken Howard received 12,895 votes, with Anne-Marie Johnson coming in second with 8,906 votes, Seymour Cassel got 4,838 votes, and Asmar Muhammad received 402 votes.

DAVID WHITE SPEAKS:
“I’d like to be among the first to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our newly elected Screen Actors Guild national leadership. I look forward to working closely with our new president, Ken Howard, and new secretary-treasurer, Amy Aquino, as we focus on the wide range of critical issues facing our members in the coming year,” said SAG Interim National Executive Director David White. “I also extend my thanks, and the gratitude of SAG members and staff to Alan Rosenberg and Connie Stevens for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our union.”

KEN HOWARD SPEAKS:
“I am deeply honored to be chosen by the membership to lead the Screen Actors Guild,” said Ken Howard. “I campaigned on the promise that I’d do everything in my power to strengthen our position at the bargaining table by building a greater unity with AFTRA and the other entertainment unions, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Despite the sharp differences that those of us active in Guild affairs sometimes have over strategy and tactics, we need to continually remind ourselves that we’re all on the same team, fighting for the same thing — and by pulling together, we’ll only grow stronger.”

AMY AQUINO SPEAKS:
“I am truly honored that the members have entrusted me with this responsibility,” said Amy Aquino. “Progress has already been made toward strengthening SAG’s finances and I want to make sure it continues. Only by fortifying SAG in this way can we hope to ensure the protections that performers need in these challenging times.”

Screen Actors Guild also announced election results for the National Board of Directors. Twenty-two of the 69 national board seats were open for election this year, representing Screen Actors Guild’s Hollywood, New York and Regional Branch divisions.
“It is my privilege to welcome and congratulate our newly elected Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors for 2009-2010,” said White. “Along with our staff nationwide, I look forward to working with them to pursue a robust agenda as we navigate the Guild through these changing times.”

The National Board members elected today will assume office on September 25 for terms of three years.

SAG’s Hollywood Division elected eleven National Board members; the New York Division elected four National Board members; and seven National Board members were elected from the union’s branches in Chicago, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Philadelphia, Portland and San Diego.

National Board members elected from the Hollywood Division: Martin Sheen, Ed Harris, Elliott Gould, Ed Asner, Anne-Marie Johnson, Connie Stevens, Diane Ladd, Dulé Hill, Hill Harper, Nancy Travis, and Marcia Wallace (all three-year terms).

The following were elected to serve as National Board alternates and to the Hollywood Division Board of Directors (all one-year terms). Gabrielle Carteris, Jenny O’Hara, Michael O’Keefe, Clyde Kusatsu, Dawnn Lewis, Doug Savant, Michelle Allsopp, Alan Rosenberg, D. W. Moffett, Joe Bologna, Robert Hays, Jason George, L. Scott Caldwell, Clark Gregg, Patrick Fabian, Bill Smitrovich, Ellen Crawford, Stacey Travis, Mandy Steckelberg, Renee Taylor, Bernie Casey and John Carroll Lynch.

National Board members elected from the New York Division: Sharon Washington, Monica Trombetta, Sam Freed and Liz Zazzi (all three-year terms). Additionally, New York Division members elected Mike Hodge as NY Division President.

The following were elected to serve as national board alternates and to the New York Division board of directors (all one-year terms.) Manny Alfaro, Sheila Head, Marc Baron, Joe Narciso, Jay Potter, Dave Bachman, John Rothman, Kevin Scullin and Justin Barrett.
National Board members elected from the Regional Branch Division: John Carter Brown (Chicago – three-year term), David Hartley-Margolin (Colorado – three-year term), Dave Corey (Florida – three-year term), Scott Rogers (Hawaii – three-year term), Helen McNutt (Philadelphia – three-year term), Mary McDonald-Lewis (Portland – three-year term), Don Ahles (San Diego – three-year term).

Ballots for all eligible SAG members in Hollywood and New York were mailed on August 25 with a September 24 return deadline and were tabulated today by the independent election company Integrity Voting Systems. A total of 13,718 ballots were tabulated in the Hollywood Division (representing 25.25 percent of ballots mailed in the Hollywood Division) and 5,997 ballots were tabulated in the New York Division (representing 26.11 percent of ballots mailed in the New York Division). The number of ballots returned in the Regional Branch elections varied by region.

SAG ELECTION '09: STATEMENTS FROM KEN HOWARD AND AMY AQUINO

2009-09-24T20:29:00.000-07:00

KEN HOWARD'S STATEMENT:

I am deeply honored to be chosen by the membership to lead the Screen Actors Guild. I campaigned on the promise that I’d do everything in my power to strengthen our position at the bargaining table by building greater unity with AFTRA and the other entertainment unions – and that’s exactly what I intend to do. But SAG can’t reach out effectively to other unions, let alone stand strong in negotiations with our employers, if we aren’t united within our own ranks.

Despite the sharp differences that those of us active in Guild affairs sometimes have over strategy and tactics, it’s clear to me that we all have the same goal: getting members the best employment terms possible. It’s a goal we’re passionate about achieving, which is why our differences are frequently so heated. But with so much at stake now for performers, we have to find a way to harness our passions to strengthen SAG rather than divide and weaken it. We need to continually remind ourselves that we’re all on the same team, fighting for the same
thing – and by pulling together, we’ll only grow stronger.

I’d like to congratulate Anne-Marie Johnson on her campaign. Anne-Marie is one of the most dedicated, knowledgeable and articulate advocates within SAG leadership, and her campaign demonstrated that. In the end, members decided on a leadership approach for the Guild different than the one she offered. But Anne-Marie’s re-election to a national board seat reflects the value many members place on her contributions to SAG. I look forward to working with her as we move ahead.

I also want to congratulate everyone elected to board and officer positions in New York and throughout our Regional Branches, as well as our new Secretary-Treasurer, Amy Aquino, and all the candidates elected to the board from Hollywood.

AMY AQUINO'S STATEMENT:

I am truly honored that the members have entrusted me with this responsibility. Progress has already been made toward strengthening SAG’s finances and I want to make sure it continues. I look forward to working with David White, CFO Arianna Ozzanto, other elected members and staff to build SAG’s resources and improve the outlook for the future. Only by fortifying SAG in this way can we hope to ensure the protections that performers need in these challenging times.

I offer my thanks to Connie Stevens for her years of dedicated service. Along with building SAG’s fiscal strength, I look forward to working with our new president Ken Howard and all the Guild’s elected leaders to build consensus and to prove what a truly united Screen Actors Guild can do.

SAG ELECTIONS '09: PHILADELPHIA RESULTS

2009-09-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

From SAG's press release:

Dear Philadelphia Branch Members:
On September 22, 2009, Screen Actors Guild announced the election results for the Philadelphia Branch elections.
Philadelphia Branch President Tom McCarthy, Branch Vice President Sylvia Kauders, Secretary Harvey Jaffe, Treasurer Gail Lewis, and current Council Members at Large Donna Dundan, Deborah Carn and Tom McNutt welcome the following newly elected candidates to the Philadelphia Branch:
Helen McNutt / National Board Director / three-year termSara Jane Blazo / Council Member at Large / two-year termPatricia Cray / Council Member at Large / two-year termHarvey Jaffe / Council Member at Large / two-year termSylvia Kauders / Council Member at Large / two-year termAdrienne Wehr / Council Member at Large / two-year termJohn Wooten / Council Member at Large / two-year term
Those members elected as Council Members at Large may also be selected as Alternate National Directors who may be called upon to serve at National Board Meetings when the National Board member from the Philadelphia Branch is unavailable to attend.
The newly elected leaders will assume office on September 25, 2009.

SAG ELECTION '09: SEATTLE RESULTS

2009-09-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

From the SAG press release:

Dear Seattle Branch Members:
On September 22, 2009 Screen Actors Guild announced the election results for the Seattle Branch Elections.
Current Council Members at Large Jim Gall, Gary Schwartz, Laura Kenny and Alex Terzieff along with National Director Abby Dylan welcome the following newly elected candidates to the Seattle Branch:
John Patrick Lowrie / President / two-year termMaggie Stenson / Secretary-Treasurer / two-year termDick Arnold / Council Member at Large / two-year termSusan Connors / Council Member at Large / two-year termRon Holstrom / Council Member at Large AK / two-year term
Those members elected as Officers and 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 Seattle Branch is unavailable to attend.
The newly elected leaders will assume office on September 25, 2009.

SAG ELECTIONS '09: REGIONAL BRANCH DIVISON NEWS

2009-09-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Reports have been coming in regarding election results for the Regional Branches.

At post-time, here's what we know:

SEATTLE: John Patrick Lowrie wins Regional Branch Presidency.

SAN DIEGO: Don Ahles wins and retains RBD Presidency in San Diego.

PHILADELPHIA: Helen McNutt is re-elected.

No official breakdowns or statements yet. We'll post them as they come in.

REGIONAL BRANCH MEMBER ALERT: GET INVOLVED!

2009-09-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

From SAG's press release:

There are a variety of ways in which a member can serve the Union and committee service is a great way to lend your talents, experience and knowledge of the industry to benefit the Guild and its members.

If you are interested in serving your Union, you are encouraged to complete the appropriate Committee Service Request Form for your Division and return it to the Regional Branch Division Office of Administration via email, fax, mail or in person. Once the completed form is received, the request will be forwarded to the appropriate Committee Chair for consideration. You will be notified by the Guild in November if you have been selected for service.

With the exception of a few committees, all committees are reconstituted following the Guild’s annual elections in September. Therefore, if you wish to be considered for service in the 2009-2010 Committee Year, please submit the appropriate Committee Service Request Form by September 30, 2009.

On the SAG Committee’s section of the website, you will also find information on the Guild’s committee structure as well as lists of committees and descriptions. If you have any further questions, we are here to help! Please contact Lisha Brock for more information at (972) 361-8185 or by email at lisha.brock@sag.org.

KEN HOWARD WINS EMMY!--VIDEO UPDATE--

2009-09-20T18:16:00.000-07:00

UPDATED, MONDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER, 2009

(Sunday, 20 Sept. 2009) Ken Howard, SAG candidate for National president, wins Emmy for HBO's "Grey Gardens"! This was his first win.

Ken Howard won the supporting actor award for the HBO mini-series. He told reporters afterward that he hoped that the miniseries would make a comeback in television. Said Howard, "You get a long time to devote to the character. It's a great form, and I hope it comes back. It's great for actors and great for the audience."

The evening also marked the anniversary of his wife's birthday, to whom he dedicated the win.

WGA WEST ELECTION RESULTS

2009-09-18T20:18:00.000-07:00

Final Results of 2009 Officers and Board of Directors Election
From the WGA-W Press Release:

LOS ANGELES -- The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) has announced the final results of its 2009 WGAW Officers and Board of Directors election.

The following members were elected to serve as Officers: President – John Wells; Vice President – Tom Schulman; Secretary-Treasurer – David N. Weiss.

"I'm remarkably humbled by the membership returning me to the Presidency of the Guild. I look forward to working with the Board again and to working with David Young and his talented staff to meet the many challenges that lie ahead,” said Wells.

“My congratulations to John Wells for his success in a hard-fought campaign. And my congratulations to all members elected to the board. We writers can be somewhat argumentative and opinionated, as anyone who has ever sat around a writers’ table knows. This campaign certainly highlighted some our differences. Now, it's time to pull together and work for the benefit of us all,” said Elias Davis.

The following nine members were elected to the WGAW’s Board of Directors: Patric M. Verrone, Howard A. Rodman (inc.), Dan Wilcox (inc.), Linda Burstyn, Billy Ray, Steven Schwartz, Chip Johannessen, Carleton Eastlake, Ian Deitchman.

There was a tie for the eighth seat on the Board of Directors. Under the Guild’s constitution, both candidates will be seated.

NUMERICAL RESULTS: President: John Wells (1,191, 52.8%); Vice President: Tom Schulman (1,204, 55.5%), Secretary-Treasurer: David N. Weiss (1,114, 53.3%). Board of Directors: Patric M. Verrone (1,364, 10.1%), Howard A. Rodman (1, 270, 9.4%), Dan Wilcox (1,132, 8.4%), Linda Burstyn (953, 7.1%), Billy Ray (915, 6.8%), Steven Schwartz (914, 6.8%), Chip Johannessen (865, 6.4%), Carleton Eastlake (818, 6.1%), Ian Deitchman (818, 6.1%).

The Officers and Board members will serve for a term of two years, effective immediately.

OTHER RESULTS: Candidates for Officers: President: Elias Davis (1,066, 47.2%); Vice President: Howard Michael Gould (967, 44.5%); Secretary-Treasurer: Christopher Keyser (976, 46.7%). Candidates for members of the Board of Directors: Mick Betancourt (766, 5.7%), Jeff Lowell (745, 5.5%), Jan Oxenberg (725, 5.4%), Luvh Rakhe (636, 4.7%), David Wyatt (511, 3.8%), Jennifer Heath (437, 3.2%), Eric Wallace (273, 2.0%), Jed Weintrob (239, 1.8%).

A total of 2,348 valid ballots were cast, making this one of the largest election voter turnouts in WGAW history – illustrating ongoing Guild member engagement. The ballot count was supervised by Robbin Johnson of Pacific Election Services, Inc., an independent firm.

The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) is a labor union representing writers of motion pictures, television, radio and Internet programming, including news and documentaries. Founded in 1933, the Guild negotiates and administers contracts that protect the creative and economic rights of its members. It is involved in a wide range of programs that advance the interests of writers, and is active in public policy and legislative matters on the local, national and international levels. For more information on the WGAW, please visit: www.wga.org.

WGA EAST ELECTION RESULTS

2009-09-18T12:27:00.000-07:00

ELECTION RESULTS WGA-EAST: THOSE WHO PUT WORDS IN ACTOR'S AND PERFORMERS MOUTHS.

September 18, 2009

Michael Winship, running unopposed, senior writer for "Bill Moyers Journal," has been re-elected to a second term as President of the WGAE. Bob Schneider, a television and screen writer, was re-elected to a second term as Vice President.

Gail Lee,running unopposed, a writer/producer at CBS News, was re-elected to her seventh term as Secretary-Treasurer. The terms begin immediately and run through September 2011.

THE STATS--HOW IT BREAKS DOWN
427 valid ballots cast in the election.Bob Schneider received 230 votes (53.9%) versus vice presidential candidates Tom Phillips, who received 118 votes (27.6 %) and Ambrose J. Raftery, who received 39 votes (9.1%).

AFTRA: "NO WORK RULE" IN EFFECT FOR NICKELODEON

2009-09-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

FROM AFTRA ON 9/17/09

Important Notice to AFTRA Members and AFTRA Franchised Agents:
No Contract, No Work Rule In Effect for Commercials Produced by Nickelodeon
Please be advised that Nickelodeon is not signed to the AFTRA Television Commercials Contract or the AFTRA Radio Commercials Contract.

Although AFTRA has collective bargaining agreements with Nickelodeon covering other types of programs, members are prohibited from accepting employment for commercial services by Nickelodeon or by any other employer, unless that employer is signatory to the applicable AFTRA TV or Radio Commercials Contract.

Please be reminded that AFTRA members may not accept employment in commercials, whether for broadcast, cable or the Internet, unless the employer is signed to the AFTRA Television Commercials Contract or the AFTRA Radio Commercials Contract. (AFTRA members are also permitted to work under the SAG TV Commercials Contract.)

Franchised Talent Agents should check and verify the signatory status of an employer who seeks to engage their AFTRA member clients for services in a broadcast, cable or Internet commercial.
If you have questions about this notice, about the signatory status of an employer, or about whether a particular project is commercial in nature rather than a covered program or promo, please contact your nearest AFTRA office.

I AM PWD CAMPAIGN ENDORSED BY AFL-CIO CONVENTION

2009-09-17T08:01:00.000-07:00

AFL-CIO Convention Delegates Pass Resolution 18 Endorsing theI AM PWD Campaign of AEA, AFTRA and SAG

from SAG's Press Release:

Pittsburgh (September 16, 2009) – I AM PWD — the Inclusion in the Arts and Media for People with Disabilities campaign of Actors’ Equity Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild — was today endorsed by the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention delegates through Convention Resolution 18, entitled “Unions Should Give People with Disabilities a Voice and a Face.”

“It’s the dawn of a new day for workers with disabilities,” said I AM PWD national chair and SAG/AFTRA/AEA member Robert David Hall, who appeared before the more than 700 convention delegates to urge the passage of Resolution 18. “We are overjoyed that our I AM PWD campaign has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO Convention delegates, but even more meaningful is this loud show of support and solidarity from our brothers and sisters in the national labor movement.”

AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker said, “The AFL-CIO is proud of our progress toward diversity in our leadership, especially when it comes to race, gender and sexual orientation, but the fact is that workers with disabilities are not yet fully included in the life, work and leadership of our labor movement. We took action today to begin to change that, and to work toward full equality for people with disabilities in American life.” AFL-CIO Convention Resolution 18 pledges, “The AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions endorse and support the I AM PWD campaign and invite SAG, AFTRA and Equity to share its lessons.”

Beyond its endorsement of the I AM PWD campaign, Resolution 18 also declares the AFL-CIO’s intention to “make itself a model by including people with disabilities in all discussions addressing diversity and by encouraging the labor movement at all levels to do the same.”

About I AM PWD: I AM PWD is a global civil rights campaign seeking equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the entertainment and news media. I AM PWD was founded by members of Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association to bring media and public attention to the issues of media access, inclusion and accuracy for people with disabilities. You can visit I AM PWD online at IAMPWD.org.

HENRY GIBSON 1935-2009

2009-09-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Henry Gibson, the beloved character actor best known for his role reciting offbeat poetry on "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," has died. He was 73.

Gibson died Monday, September 14, 2009, at his home in Malibu after a brief battle with cancer.

After serving in the Air Force and studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Gibson — born James Bateman in Germantown, Pa., in 1935 — created his Henry Gibson comic persona, a pun on playwright Henrik Ibsen's name, while working as a theater actor in New York. For three seasons on "Laugh-In," he delivered satirical poems while gripping a giant flower.

After "Laugh-In," Gibson went on to appear in several films, including "The Long Goodbye" and "Nashville," which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. His most memorable roles included playing the menacing neighbor opposite Tom Hanks in "The 'Burbs," the befuddled priest in "Wedding Crashers" and voicing Wilbur the Pig in the animated "Charlotte's Web."

His recent work included playing cantankerous Judge Clarence Brown on ABC's "Boston Legal" for five seasons and providing the voice of sardonic, eye-patched reporter Bob Jenkins on Fox's "King of the Hill." In 2001, Gibson returned to the stage in New York in the Encores! New York City Center production of Rodgers and Hart's "A Connecticut Yankee."

Gibson is survived by three sons and two grandchildren.

AFTRA PREZ REARDON ELECTED AFL-CIO V.P. FOR NATIONAL COUNCIL

2009-09-16T15:27:00.000-07:00

AFTRA President Reardon Elected AFL-CIO Vice President to Serve on Executive Council

From the AFTRA Press Release:

PITTSBURGH (September 16, 2009)---Roberta Reardon, National President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), released this statement today following her nomination and election to a seat on the AFL-CIO Executive Council and the election of Richard L. Trumka as president of the AFL-CIO: "I am profoundly honored to have been elected to serve on the Executive Council of the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest labor federation representing more than 11 million workers in 56 national and international labor unions. I would like to thank IATSE President Matt Loeb for his nomination and President Trumka for his support. I am deeply grateful to my fellow AFL-CIO Convention delegates for the honor of electing and entrusting me with this incredible responsibility. I look forward to serving on the Executive Council as a new opportunity to represent not only the members of my union, AFTRA, but all working men, women and children in the American labor movement.

"On behalf of the 70,000 members of AFTRA, I am delighted to congratulate Richard L. Trumka on his election as the new AFL-CIO President. As AFTRA members witnessed first-hand when then Secretary-Treasurer Trumka addressed our delegates at this summer's AFTRA Convention in Chicago, he is an effective, experienced and inspiring leader.

"President Trumka's impressive career in organized labor, first with the United Mine Workers of America as a staff attorney, board member and ultimately as their president, followed by his distinguished service as Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO since 1995, make him an excellent choice for AFL-CIO President. His knowledge of the diverse issues facing working men, women and children, and AFTRA members in particular - from the Employee Free Choice Act, the Performance Rights Act, meaningful health care reform, Internet piracy and media consolidation to the importance of protecting quality journalism and diversity in the workplace, make him exactly the kind of tough and visionary leader to propel the American Labor movement forward in the 21st century.

"We look forward to working closely with the dynamic team of President Trumka, Vice President Arlene Holt Baker and Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler as we work together to guide union members, and all Americans, back to the path of economic success and the bright future we all deserve.

"We extend our deep and heartfelt appreciation to outgoing AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney, for his courageous leadership and dedicated service during some of the most challenging years that working Americans have ever faced. Without his leadership, we would not be able to stand united with hope for our future. Whether airline pilots or nurses; longshoremen or administrative professionals; or performers, recording artists and broadcast journalists, the working families of America have had, and will continue to have, a strong advocate in our friend John Sweeney."

The AFL-CIO is governed by a quadrennial convention at which all federation members are represented by elected delegates of our unions. Convention delegates set broad policies and goals for the union movement and every four years elect the AFL-CIO officers-the president, secretary-treasurer, executive vice president and 43 vice presidents.

These officers make up the AFL-CIO Executive Council, which guides the daily work of the federation. The AFL-CIO Executive Council meets at least twice a year to consider important union movement business and policies. The council regularly issues statements on legislative measures affecting the interests of working families, ongoing struggles for justice for workers and more. An AFL-CIO General Board includes the Executive Council members, a chief officer of each affiliated union and the trade and industrial departments created by the AFL-CIO constitution and four regional representatives of the state federations. The General Board takes up matters referred to it by the Executive Council.

About AFTRA: The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at http://www.aftra.com/.

SAG MEMBERS: HOLLYWOOD DISABILITIES FORUM IN OCTOBER

2009-09-16T08:28:00.000-07:00

FROM SAG 9/15/09

ATTENTION PERFORMERS WITH DISABILITIES
Seeking Submissions for Actors Master Class
at Hollywood Disabilities Forum
October 24, 2009

I AM PWD* – Inclusion in the Arts and Media of People With Disabilities – in partnership with WGAW Writers with Disabilities Committee and Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts, will host an executive industry conference on accuracy and inclusion of and access for people with disabilities in entertainment on Saturday, October 24, 2009.

SEEKING PERFORMERS:
A portion of the Hollywood Disabilities Forum will include an Actors Master Class for performers with disabilities. April Webster of April Webster and Associates Casting will be selecting performers to participate who will then be paired with another performer and given a short scene to memorize and rehearse before the class. The scenes will then be presented on the day of the forum, with highly-regarded actors and/or directors in the industry who will work with the actors in front of an invited audience of fellow performers and industry professionals. The dual purposes of the class is to provide awareness to industry decision makers of the wealth of untapped professional disabled actors out there ready to work, while the performers are given invaluable instruction in their craft.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING:
Eligibility requirements: You must be a performer with a disability and a member in good standing of Actors’ Equity Association, AFTRA or SAG.

Submission deadline: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 no later than 4 p.m.

· ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS AND HAND-DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AFTER SEPTEMBER 23.
· MAILED SUBMISSIONS POSTMARKED AFTER SEPTEMBER 23 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Submission guidelines:
· Please submit ONE headshot and resume along with a cover letter.
· If necessary, please indicate any accommodations you may need in your cover letter.
· Please do not submit DVDs, CDs, reels, or audio files.
· You can submit via email, via mail or via hand-delivery—follow the instructions below:
Email: You can email your headshot, resume and cover letter to diversity@sag.org

SAG members can also submit their iActor profile by emailing it to: diversity@sag.org
Please include your cover letter in the body of the email message.

Performers who have profiles on Breakdown Services http://www.breakdownservices.com/ or Actor Access http://www.actorsaccess.com/ are able to submit via email by sending it to diversity@sag.org

REGULAR MAIL:
Screen Actors Guild
Affirmative Action & Diversity
Attn: I AM PWD Actors Master Class
5757 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036

DROP-OFF SITES (no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23):
Please feel free to hand-deliver your headshot, resume and cover letter to any of these locations during regular business hours:

Actors’ Equity Association Actors’ Equity Association
Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class
6755 Hollywood Blvd. 165 W 46th Street
5th floor (entrance on McCadden Place) New York, NY 10036
Hollywood, CA 90028

AFTRA AFTRA
Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class
5757 Wilshire Blvd. – 9th Floor 260 Madison Avenue – 7th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036 New York, NY 10016

Screen Actors Guild Screen Actors Guild
Affirmative Action & Diversity Affirmative Action & Diversity
Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class Attn: IAMPWD Actors Master Class
5757 Wilshire Blvd. – 7th Floor 360 Madison Avenue – 12th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90036 New York, NY 10017

Performers selected to audition will be contacted no later than Tuesday, September 29 and must be available for auditions on Friday, October 1 or Thursday, October 2.
Final selections will be made the week of October 5.
MUST BE AVAILABLE on Saturday, October 24 in Los Angeles, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. for the Actors Master Class.

Please call (323-549-6644) or email (diversity@sag.org) us with any questions.

THANK YOU!

*I AM PWD is a national civil rights campaign seeking equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the entertainment and news media. I AM PWD was founded by members of Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA and Actors’ Equity Association to bring media and public attention to the issues of media access, inclusion and accuracy for people with disabilities.

AFTRA: 34 MILLION REASONS WHY BEING UNION MATTERS

2009-09-16T08:23:00.000-07:00

From the AFTRA Press release: 34.4 Million Reasons Why Being Union Matters

As reported at the 2009 AFTRA National Convention, AFTRA recovered more than $34.4 million in claims and H&R contributions for AFTRA members since the last Convention in the summer of 2007.

This is real money that your union has pursued against employers and returned to AFTRA members. Although most of these claims were initiated by the union office through AFTRA’s normal enforcement and compliance efforts, some claims were initiated based on information we receive from you – the members – about late payments or payments not received at all, or discrepancies between your AFTRA H&R Earnings Report and your pay stubs, or seeing your commercial or TV show re-run but not receiving your residual.

As a professional performer or journalist, stay vigilant and keep track of your earnings. Learn about what your AFTRA contract guarantees. Check your payments against your own records and time sheets. If you notice a mistake or have any questions, contact your AFTRA office right away, and we’ll help you figure it out.

In this economy, every dollar counts, and AFTRA is here to help make sure that you and your family get all the money and benefits you deserve.

Learn more at http://www.aftra.com/

BETTY WHITE TO RECEIVE 2009 SAG LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

2009-09-15T11:17:00.000-07:00

FROM THE SAG PRESS RELEASE ON 9/15/09:

46th Annual Accolade to be Presented During the 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® Simulcast on TNT and TBS on Saturday, January 23, 2010

Los Angeles, California (September 15, 2009) – Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced today beloved comedienne, pioneering television producer, host, author and animal advocate Betty White, will receive the Guild’s most prestigious accolade—the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment. White will be presented the Award, given annually to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession,” at the “16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®”, which premieres live on TNT and TBS Saturday, January 23, 2010, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7 p.m. CT and 6 p.m. MT.

In making today’s announcement, Screen Actors Guild National President Alan Rosenberg said, “Whether creating some of television’s most indelible characters, plunging into film roles with joyous gusto or perfecting the art of the quip as a television panelist and host, Betty White has entertained audiences with her impeccable comic timing and remarkable wit for more than sixty years. Her lifelong devotion to the welfare of animals, manifest in her work as an author, producer and philanthropist, is further evidence of her tremendous humanity and meaningful contributions in so many important areas. Screen Actors Guild is honored to celebrate Betty White’s extraordinary achievements over the course of an exemplary life.”

On the morning she was asked to accept Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor, White was headed to the set of the Disney feature “You Again,” starring Kristen Bell (as her granddaughter), Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver and Kristin Chenowith. Earlier this summer, White played Ryan Reynold’s scene-stealing Grandma Annie in the chart-topping Sandra Bullock romantic comedy “The Proposal.” She is currently heard in theatres voicing the elderly Yoshie in Oscar-winner Hayao Miyazaki’s animated adventure “Ponyo.”

Betty Marion White was born January 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Ill., the only child of Horace, an electrical engineer, and Tess, a housewife. The family moved to California when White was 2. After graduating Beverly Hills High School, White made her professional debut at the Bliss Hayden Little Theatre and landed parts in such popular radio shows as "Blondie," "The Great Gildersleeve" and "This Is Your FBI." Her first radio program, "The Betty White Show," followed. Her big break came in 1949, when she joined Al Jarvis’ five-and-a-half-hour, six-days-a-week live KLAC-TV variety show, “Hollywood on Television.” Starting out as Jarvis’ “Girl Friday,” White inherited the show’s hosting duties for two more years when Jarvis left in 1952.
The same year she formed Bandy Productions with producer Don Fedderson and writer George Tibbles. Spinning off characters from a “Hollywood on Television” sketch, they created the domestic comedy “Life with Elizabeth,” White received her first of six Emmys. Syndication brought the program to national audiences through the mid-’50s. The series made White one of only a few women with creative control before and behind the camera in television’s early years. White went on to produce and host a daily NBC talk/variety skein “The Betty White Show,” garnering a Daytime Emmy nomination. Her second situation comedy, “A Date with the Angels,” premiered in 1957, then evolved into another eponymous comedy/variety showcase.

White’s sly ribald humor made her an audience favorite on the late-night circuit, not only matching wits with Jack Paar (more than 70 appearances) Merv Griffin and Johnny Carson (including many “Mighty Carson Art Players” performances) but also subbing for all three as guest host. Her clever spontaneity also earned her spots on numerous game and talk shows, such as “The Match Game,” “To Tell the Truth,” “I’ve Got A Secret” “Liar’s Club” and especially “Password,” whose host Allen Ludden she married in 1963 after a persistent two-year courtship.
When White and Ludden’s pals, actor Mary Tyler Moore and her producer/husband Grant Tinker, were casting about for a cloyingly sweet “Betty White-type” to guest star on their hit “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” they ultimately decided to go with the real deal. White’s 1973 guest shot as the saccharinely catty, man-hungry “Happy Homemaker” Sue Ann Nivens was White’s entrée into one of television’s most iconic ensembles. The role relaunched White’s acting career and earned her back-to-back supporting actress Emmy and then a fourth Emmy nomination.

After the series’ historic final episode in 1977, MTM created “The Betty White Show,” with White playing the second-rate star of a TV police drama. After its brief run, White guest-starred in the miniseries “The Place to Be” (1979) and such telefilms as “With this Ring,” (1978) “Before and After” (1979) and “The Gossip Columnist,” (1980), before breaking ground as TV’s first female game show host on NBC’s “Just Men.” Drawing on the lascivious persona perfected as Sue Ann Nivens, White earned the first and only Daytime Emmy for Best Game Show Host awarded to a female emcee. A second Daytime Emmy nomination followed in 1984.
1983 also saw White begin a three-year recurring stint on Vicki Lawrence’s “Mama’s Family,” reprising the role of social climber Ellen Harper Jackson she’d created in sketches on “The Carol Burnett Show” in the early ‘70s.

In 1985, at 63, White began what became the most lauded role of her career, the sweetly naïve Minnesotan Rose Nylund on NBC’s Saturday night hit “The Golden Girls.” White, along with co-stars Beatrice Arthur, Estelle Getty and Rue McClanahan, proved that great comedy transcended age, as did the series’ stellar ratings and countless honors including, for White, a first-year lead actress Emmy, six subsequent nominations and two Golden Globe nominations. She was to reprise the role of Rose on three other series: “Empty Nest” (1989, 1992), “Nurses” (1991) and “The Golden Palace” (1992–93).

In 1991 White starred opposite Leslie Nielsen in the romantic NBC telefilm “Chance of a Lifetime” and subsequently shone in a variety of series, including with Bob Newhart in “Bob” (1993) and as Marie Osmond’s mother in “Maybe This Time” (1995). She won her fourth Emmy for her guest starring self-caricature on “The John Larroquette Show” (1996) and earned more Emmy nominations for guest roles on “Suddenly Susan” (1997) and “Yes, Dear” (2003). She played Alfred Molina’s mother in “Ladies Man” from 1991-2001 and recurred in “That 70’s Show” in 2002-2003. A 2007 TV Land Awards parody entitled “Ugly Betty White” led to a subsequent guest appearance as herself on the spoof’s target, “Ugly Betty,” with White going head-to-head over a taxi with Vanessa Williams’ Wilhelmina Slater. Other television guest appearances include “St. Elsewhere,” “The Ellen Show,” “Everwood,” “My Wife and Kids,” “Joey” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” She has voiced animated characters on “The Simpsons,” “King of the Hill,” “The Wild Thornberrys” “Father of the Pride” and “Family Guy” and in the feature “Whispers: An Elephant’s Tale.” White’s more recent films for television include “Annie’s Point” in 2005 for the Hallmark Channel, “Stealing Christmas” in 2003 for USA “The Retrievers” in 2001 for Animal Planet.

With “The Practice” in 2004, White once again turned one-shot casting into gold. Her guest turn as conniving blackmailer Catherine Piper led not only to another Emmy nomination but also to a recurring return for White as Catherine on the subsequent David E. Kelley series “Boston Legal” (2005–2008). In 1999, White had guest-starred for Kelley on “Ally McBeal,” earning an American Comedy Award for Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a Television Series, and starred in his horror-film send-up “Lake Placid.” Her 2009 guest performance as the Crazy Witch Lady on “My Name is Earl” earned White her eighteenth Emmy nomination.
White returned to the big screen in 2003 in the comedy “Bringing Down the House,” opposite Steve Martin and Queen Latifah and appeared in this year’s “Love N’ Dancing.”Earlier films include “Hard Rain” (1998) with Morgan Freeman and Christian Slater; “Dennis the Menace Strikes Again,” (1998), playing Mrs. Wilson opposite Don Rickles; and Rob Reiner’s “The Story of Us.” (1999).

In December 2006, White joined the daytime drama “The Bold and the Beautiful” as Ann Douglas, long-lost mother of matriarch Stephanie Forrester (Susan Flannery). She has appeared 19 times since, most recently in October 2008.

White narrated network telecasts of the annual Tournament of Roses Parade from 1954 to 1974 and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 10 years.

Honors have been bestowed on White throughout her career. In 1976 she was awarded the Pacific Pioneers in Broadcasting Golden Ike Award and the GeniI Award from the American Women in Radio and TV. She was honored with the American Comedy Award for Funniest Female in 1987 and their Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990. In 1995 she was inducted into the Television Academy’s Hall of Fame. In 2006 she was profiled by the Paley Center for Media as part of their “She Made It” initiative honoring women creating television and radio. In August of 2009 she received a Career Achievement Award from the Television Critics Association. She was presented with a Disney Legends Award on September 10, 2009.

White’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame rests adjacent to that of her late husband Allen Ludden, who sadly succumbed to cancer in 1981.

White’s devotion to the health and welfare of animals has been a passion since childhood. She is president emeritus of the Morris Animal Foundation and has been a trustee since 1971. She first learned about the Foundation’s support of research studies to protect, treat and cure animals while creating, producing and hosting “The Pet Set,” the 1970-71 syndicated series featuring celebrities and their pets. She received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Humane Award in 1987. A member of the board of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association since 1974, she served as a Zoo Commissioner for eight years. In February 2066 White was honored by the City of Los Angeles with a bronze plaque placed next to the Gorilla Exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo naming her “Ambassador to the Animals” for her life-long work for animal welfare. In 2007 Western University Veterinary School awarded her an honorary “Doctor of Humane Veterinary Sciences.”

Three of her five books directly connect to this passion: “Betty White’s Pet Love: How Pets Take Care of Us” (1983) and two co-authored with Tom Sullivan: “The Leading Lady: Dinah’s Story“ (1991) and “Together: A Story of Shared Vision” (2008). She published her first autobiography, “Betty White in Person,” in 1987, which was followed by “Here We Go Again: My Life in Television” in 1995. That life continues to unfold new chapters.

“The 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards” will be produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards®, LLC. Jeff Margolis is the executive producer and director. Kathy Connell is the producer. JoBeth Williams, Daryl Anderson, Scott Bakula, Shelley Fabares and Paul Napier are producers for SAG. Gloria Fujita O’Brien and Mick McCullough are supervising producers. Benn Fleishman is executive in charge of production. More information is available online at http://www.sagawards.org/.

Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents more than 120,000 actors who work in film and digital theatrical motion pictures, television programs, commercials, video games, music videos, industrials and all new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. More information is available online at http://www.sag.org/.

TBS, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., is television's top-rated comedy network. It serves as home to such original comedy series as "My Boys," "The Bill Engvall Show," Tyler Perry's “House of Payne" and “Meet the Browns,” as well as the upcoming “Neighbors from Hell”; late-night series like the upcoming “Lopez Tonight,” starring George Lopez and “The Very Funny Show,” hosted by Tim Meadows; hot contemporary comedies like "The Office," "My Name is Earl," "Family Guy” and "Seinfeld"; specials like "Funniest Commercials of the Year"; special events, including star-studded comedy festivals in Chicago and Las Vegas; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Network Television (TNT), one of cable's top-rated networks, is television's destination for drama and home to such original series as the acclaimed and highly popular detective drama "The Closer," starring Kyra Sedgwick; "Saving Grace," starring Holly Hunter; "Raising the Bar," with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben and Jane Kaczmarek; "Leverage," starring Timothy Hutton; “HawthoRNe,” with Jada Pinkett Smith; and “Dark Blue” starring Dylan McDermott. TNT also presents such powerful dramas, such as "Bones," "Cold Case," "Law & Order," "Without a Trace," "ER" and "Charmed"; broadcast premiere movies; compelling primetime specials, such as the “Screen Actors Guild Awards®”; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

PAUL BURKE 1926-2009

2009-09-15T01:19:00.000-07:00

Naked City star Paul Burke gone at 83.

Paul Burke, who shot to stardom as Detective Adam Flint in the groundbreaking police drama Naked City has died from leukemia and non-Hodgkins lymphoma at his home in Palm Springs, California, September 13th, 2009.

Born in New Orleans in 1926, Burke enjoyed a four decade career in TV and film. Burke made his way to Hollywood at the age of 19, where he studied acting at the Pasadena Playhouse. In his early days in Hollywood, Burke managed to get small roles in features, but his real success would be in television in the 1950's and 60's. In 1960 he was cast in Naked City, a police series filmed in New York. Other series include Twelve O'Clock High, The Adventures of Superman, Highway Patrol, Dragnet and many others. Feature films include The Thomas Crown Affair and Valley of the Dolls. Remaining active in television, Burke joined the cast of Dynasty in the 1980s. In addition to his wife Lyn, Burke is survived by his three children from his first marriage.

PATRICK SWAYZE 1952-2009

2009-09-15T00:50:00.000-07:00

After fighting pancreatic cancer since early 2008, the star of Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and Roadhouse, passed away on September 14th, 2009.

Visit his international fan club here: www.patrickswayze.net

VOTE IN THE '09 SAG ELECTIONS! TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

2009-09-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

ONLY 11 DAYS LEFT BEFORE BALLOTS DUE!

VOTE! GET YOUR VOTES IN THE MAIL ASAP OR THEY WON'T MAKE IT IN TIME FOR THE SEPTEMBER 24TH DEADLINE!

If you lost your ballot or make an error, you MAY request a replacement ballot. Contact the Screen Actors Guild by telephone at 323-549-6458 or by email at replacementballot@sagDOTorg to request a replacement ballot. The deadline for requesting a replacement ballot is 12:00p.m. (PDT) on Monday, September 21, 2009.
BE SURE TO MAIL YOUR BALLOT IMMEDIATELY.

Your ballot must be received via U.S. Mail at the Los Angeles Post Office Box by 6:30 a.m. (PDT) Thursday, September 24, 2009.

SAG CONDUCTS MEMBER SURVEY ON NEW MEDIA

2009-09-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

SAG SURVEY RUNS THRU SPRING '09.

TELL SAG ABOUT YOUR NEW MEDIA WORK EXPERIENCES.

Hollywood, Sept. 12, 2009

From The Screen Actors Guild announcement of Sept. 10th, 2009:

With your participation, this member response tool (available until spring) will deliver the most current snapshot of the Guild’s involvement in new media entertainment. The resulting data will be crucial to identifying the effects of the TV/Theatrical Contract ratified earlier this year and to informing the next round of negotiations, slated for fall 2010.

This brief multiple-choice survey is completely anonymous. It also includes opportunities to elaborate on your work experiences, should you wish.

Don’t delay. Your responses will be invaluable in the next Wages and Working Conditions process, which begins formally in 2010!

Paid up SAG members visit http://www.sag.org/ for more information and to take the survey.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2009

2009-09-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

Remembering those lost on the morning of September 11, 2001.

A NEW VIDEO MESSAGE FROM KEN HOWARD

2009-09-10T02:14:00.000-07:00

SAG ELECTIONS '09
A NEW VIDEO MESSAGE FROM KEN HOWARD

AND NOW, A MESSAGE FROM HUMPHREY BOGART

2009-09-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

"If this election ends and you didn't vote,

you'll regret it.

Maybe not today.

Maybe not tomorrow,

but soon, and for the rest of your life."

VOTE! GET YOUR VOTES IN THE MAIL ASAP OR THEY WON'T MAKE IT IN TIME FOR THE SEPTEMBER 24TH DEADLINE!

BE SURE TO MAIL YOUR BALLOT IMMEDIATELY. Your ballot must be received via U.S. Mail at the Los Angeles Post Office Box by 6:30 a.m. (PDT) Thursday, September 24, 2009.

KEN HOWARD'S MESSAGE TO HOLLYWOOD MEMBERS

2009-09-08T10:40:00.000-07:00

KEN HOWARD'S EMAIL TO HOLLYWOOD MEMBERS

HOLLYWOOD (September 8, 2009)

Fellow Hollywood SAG Members,

The most important question in this election is this: What steps must we take to strengthen the Screen Actors Guild and make sure we can negotiate the best possible contracts? I’ve described very clearly what I think the answer is. We need to build close relationships with all our fellow entertainment unions and approach future contract negotiations as a united front. Most critically, the two unions representing performers in our industry must work together as one. The surest way to achieve that is by merging SAG and AFTRA into one powerful national union.

Please go to http://uniteforstrength.com/?p=734 and you’ll see important video messages from Tom Hanks, William H. Macy, and Felicity Huffman explaining why they – along with Sally Field, Tony Shalhoub, Hector Elizondo and so many other SAG members – agree with me.

My opponent, Anne-Marie Johnson, sees it differently. She and her group, Membership First, chose to fight with AFTRA heading into last year’s TV/Theatrical negotiations, and it cost us terribly:

- SAG members lost tens of millions of dollars in increases and countless job opportunities during a ten month contract stalemate.

- SAG covered only 10% of the 2009 TV pilots.

- Lower revenues led to a 2-year budget deficit of $10 million, requiring 8% of SAG’s staff to be fired.

- Reduced earnings meant fewer members qualified for SAG health insurance and pension credits.

- Lower earnings contributed to the need for major changes to SAG’s pension and health plans, which will take effect in January, including higher health insurance premiums and deductibles, and a lower pension accrual rate.

With results like these, it’s no surprise that Anne-Marie Johnson and Membership First are now trying to sound like they embrace the idea of working together with AFTRA. But what you hear them saying may be very different from what they mean.

- They say they want “all performers in one union”… but they steadfastly oppose merger, the obvious way to accomplish that.

- They say SAG should “share services” with AFTRA… but they want to immediately end the legal agreement that prohibits SAG and AFTRA from publicly attacking each other.

- They say SAG and AFTRA must negotiate together in 2010… but Ms. Johnson pledges her first act if elected would be to ask performers who are members of both unions to choose between them. Is she suggesting that SAG should raid AFTRA’s membership? That would be ruinous.

We CANNOT afford to go back to the go-it-alone approach of Anne-Marie Johnson, Connie Stevens, and Membership First. Unite for Strength is dedicated to protecting the future for actors. If you agree that SAG is made stronger by working in partnership with our fellow entertainment unions, please vote for me, Amy Aquino, and all the Unite for Strength board candidates.

Respectfully,

Ken Howard

For more information about our candidates and to see all the UFS videos, please visit http://www.uniteforstrength.com/

**UNITE FOR STRENGTH VOTING GUIDE**

President – KEN HOWARD

Secretary-Treasurer – AMY AQUINO

Board of Directors – Please vote for ALL 33 board candidates below. DO NOT vote for more than 33 board candidates or your ballot will not be counted.

1 – Michelle Allsopp 6 – Patrick Fabian 9 – Jason George 10 – Dawnn Lewis 11 – Woody Schultz 12 – Michael O’Keefe 14 – Clark Gregg 19 – David Lawrence 20 – Amir Talai 21 – Doug Savant 22 – Dule Hill 23 – Clyde Kusatsu 25 – Tim DeKay 28 – Assaf Cohen 34 – Scotty Caldwell 35 – D.W. Moffett 39 – Mandy Steckelberg 40 – Richard Speight, Jr. 43 – Jenny O’Hara 52 – Gabrielle Carteris 55 – Hill Harper 57 – Bill Smitrovich 58 – Bob Bergen 59 – Ned Vaughn 60 – Nancy Travis 62 – Gregory Itzin 64 – Ellen Crawford 67 – Stacey Travis 73 – Christian Clemenson 74 – Conrad Palmisano 75 – Richard Fancy 81 – Marcia Wallace 82 – John Carroll Lynch

This message was sent by: Ken Howard, Senders valid physical postal address provided in accordance with federal CAN-SPAM Act is: 5757 Wilshire Blvd., 7th FL., Los Angeles, CA 90036

Please note that this address may not be used to send campaign related communications or contributions to the above mentioned candidate.

[PAID POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT]

This e-mail message is not an official communication of the Screen Actors Guild and has not been transmitted at Guild expense. The Guild is required by federal law to provide candidates with the opportunity to send you email messages. The following has been prepared by the candidate(s) and is not endorsed or reviewed by the Guild in any manner. The candidate(s) have not been provided with your e-mail address. The messages are being transmitted by an independent electronic communications firm.

MEMBER REMINDER: CROSS COUNTRY CAUCUSES FOR INTERACTIVE MEDIA TODAY

2009-09-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

Attend a Caucus for an Update on the Status of Negotiations for the2009 Interactive Media Agreement

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

FROM THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD:

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).

HAPPY LABOR DAY FROM THE SAG REPORTER!

2009-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

THE SAG REPORTER ENDORSES KEN HOWARD, AMY AQUINO AND THE UNITE FOR STRENGTH SLATE IN HOLLYWOOD.

WE ENDORSE UNITED SCREEN ACTORS NATIONWIDE IN N.Y.--ALSO--RBD ENDORSEMENTS

Editorial by W. Burns, Editor-In-Chief
The SAG Reporter

Hollywood (September 7, 2009)

On Monday a week ago I wrote that I'd toss a coin on Friday as to whether we'd endorse any of the candidates currently running in the fall SAG election. Our correspondents, passionate men and women across the USA, hunched over their Underwoods pounding out stories on the '09 election and items concerning the Screen Actors Guild and its members, debated long and loud over the issue. Most were for it.

After examining the material from both sides I kept the coin in my pocket. This wasn't a question that would be answered by chance. Not by a proud pro-union man like myself. Not by the proud pro-union men and women who contribute so much time and effort in Hollywood, New York and in the Regional Branches. There is no question. If you're pro-union and are concerned about the Screen Actors Guild and its future, there is only one answer.

Therefore, it is with great pride that we endorse Ken Howard for SAG's National President, Amy Aquino for National Secretary-Treasurer, and the entire United For Strength slate in Hollywood. For your Hollywood voters guide, visit http://www.uniteforstrength.com/

We endorse Mike Hodge and the entire United Screen Actors Nationwide slate in New York. For your New York voters guide, visit http://www.unitedscreenactors.com/

We endorse, in the Regional Branch Division races, Helen McNutt in Philadelphia, Don Ahles in San Diego, Rik Deskin in Seattle. For your Regional Branch voters guide, please visit http://www.unitedunionperformers.org/ and click on your Branch Division, to stay updated.

Why are we endorsing them? That question will be answered in the The Sag Reporter over the next three weeks, as we file reports and stories that will examine, in detail, the current leadership in SAG and our unions history over the last several years, and stories about the important issues that face us now.

Today, Monday September 7, 2009, we celebrate Labor Day across the United States and its territories. Our union in the Screen Actors Guild is only as strong as our collective and direct involvement, and only as strong as the men and women that we elect to help lead us. The selfless men and women that have come together in Unite For Strength and United Screen Actors Nationwide have demonstrated strength, unity and intelligence with regard to the complex and difficult issues that confront us now and in the future. They have demonstrated true leadership qualities.

Mail your ballot, if you haven't already, by September 21, 2009 for your vote to count in this important election.

We hope that you have a wonderful and relaxing Labor Day with your friends and family, and that whatever part of the country you're in, the weather is pleasant and sunny.

For tomorrow we all go back to work. The never-ending work of actors. The work of finding work, of applying our craft in our work, of learning and growing as artists, and last but never least, the important work of our union, The Screen Actors Guild.

UNITE FOR STRENGTH: ON DIVERSITY AND THE DIRECTION OF THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD

2009-09-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

Hollywood (September 4, 2009)

AN OPEN LETTER ABOUT DIVERSITY AND THE DIRECTION OF SAG

To Our Fellow Screen Actors Guild Members,

We are candidates running for the SAG board with the slates known as Unite For Strength (www.UniteforStrength.com) and United Screen Actors Nationwide(http://www.unitedscreenactors.com/).

We’re running with these groups because they not only represent the strongest future for our union, but best represent its full diversity as well. Look at the candidates and supporters of the UFS and USAN slates and you will see actors who’ve worked every category from Background and Featured Performer to Series Regular and Film Lead. We represent and are comprised of African Americans, Asians, Hispanics, Caucasians, Jews, Muslims, Christians — the full breadth of diversity our country and our union have to offer.

We are proud that our national board, under a combined UFS, USAN, and Regional Branch Division majority, appointed David White to our union’s top staff position of Interim National Executive Director — the first African American to hold the position. This is one of the reasons we were saddened when Anne-Marie Johnson and other Membership First candidates filed a lawsuit against the Guild to remove Mr. White. In the seven months since Mr. White was hired, SAG has successfully negotiated six contracts, yet Ms. Johnson sued to replace him with his predecessor, Doug Allen, who never successfully negotiated a single SAG contract in over two years. Two judges have dismissed the case but Ms. Johnson and Membership First continue to appeal and add to the $170,000 of your dues money already wasted defending this frivolous lawsuit.

We would love to see diversity reach the highest levels in SAG, including the presidency, but not at the cost of our union’s financial well being, respect and unity. Our members have lost over $100 million because of the ill-conceived negotiating strategies of Ms. Johnson and Membership First. Additionally, the slurs and attacks publicly voiced by Ms. Johnson and Membership First have cost our union the respect and partnership of the DGA, WGA and, most regrettably, our sister union AFTRA. Each of these unions is a key ally in getting the strongest contracts possible. More to the point, the central role Ms. Johnson and Membership First played in the breakdown of the relationship between SAG and AFTRA means that under her presidency, any attempts at cooperation with AFTRA would be viewed as suspect.

We believe the best solution to many of our major issues is merger or at least a close working relationship with AFTRA. The recent shift in prime-time work between SAG and AFTRA means that single cardholders – especially background performers – may have to pay initiation fees and join the other union in order to retain the same work opportunities. The shift in work will also make it more difficult for members to qualify for health and pension benefits because their earnings could be split between the two union plans. The next President must mend ties with our sister union. Unfortunately, Ms. Johnson has made herself a pariah with AFTRA leadership, making her incapable of healing the relationship. She has also made clear her unwillingness to explore the possibility of merger. She declares she wants to “bring all actors under one roof” but provides no legally, financially, or ethically viable strategy to accomplish this.

We call on all SAG members to reject any and all personal attacks in this election — especially racial slurs. In a recent video interview, Ms. Johnson stated that she has received “a ton of racist emails” and that she “get[s] that every day.” This is obviously a grave matter and if any of those emails came from SAG members, we call on Ms. Johnson to immediately provide details of those communications to the Guild’s legal department. Membership must know that regardless of our political differences, no one in Guild leadership considers racism trivial and it is the obligation of all SAG members to report such incidents without delay.

Ms. Johnson, like many of us, has been a tireless champion for diversity and we applaud her dedication and advocacy in the boardroom. But during the period that Ms. Johnson and Membership First controlled our union, SAG did not grow stronger but was in fact weakened. It’s time for SAG members of every background to embrace a better approach. We are asking for your vote because Unite For Strength and United Screen Actors Nationwide represent that better approach: building strength through unity. We’re also proud to say we represent true diversity.

In Solidarity,
Hill Harper, Manny Alfaro, L. Scott Caldwell, Assaf Cohen, Jason George, Nancy Giles, Dulé Hill, Mike Hodge, Clyde Kusatsu, Dawnn Lewis, Amir Talai, Sharon Washington

**UNITE FOR STRENGTH VOTING GUIDE**

For Hollywood Division Members
President – KEN HOWARD

Secretary-Treasurer – AMY AQUINO
Board of Directors – Please vote for ALL 33 board candidates below. DO NOT vote for more than 33 board candidates or your ballot will not be counted.
1 – Michelle Allsopp

6 – Patrick Fabian

9 – Jason George

10 – Dawnn Lewis

11 – Woody Schultz

12 – Michael O’Keefe

14 – Clark Gregg

19 – David Lawrence

20 – Amir Talai

21 – Doug Savant

22 – Dule Hill

23 – Clyde Kusatsu

25 – Tim DeKay

28 – Assaf Cohen

34 – Scotty Caldwell

35 – D.W. Moffett

39 – Mandy Steckelberg

40 – Richard Speight, Jr.

43 – Jenny O’Hara

52 – Gabrielle Carteris

55 – Hill Harper

57 – Bill Smitrovich

58 – Bob Bergen

59 – Ned Vaughn

60 – Nancy Travis

62 – Gregory Itzin

64 – Ellen Crawford

67 – Stacey Travis

73 – Christian Clemenson

74 – Conrad Palmisano

75 – Richard Fancy

81 – Marcia Wallace

82 – John Carroll Lynch

**NEW YORK DIVISION MEMBERS**Please go to http://www.unitedscreenactors.com/ for a full candidate list and USAN voting guide.

This message was sent by: Hill Harper, Sender’s valid physical postal address provided in accordance with federal CAN-SPAM Act is: 5757 Wilshire Blvd., 7th FL., Los Angeles, CA 90036-3600

MEMBER ALERT: SAG CAUCUSES FOR 2009 INTERACTIVE MEDIA AGREEMENT

2009-09-04T05:59:00.000-07:00

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

FROM THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD:

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 you
First Caucus: 4–5:30 p.m. (PDT)
Second Caucus: 7–8:30 p.m. (PDT)
James Cagney Board Room, ground floor
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Parking will be validated.

New York: 7-8:30 p.m. (EDT) (Videoconference with Los Angeles)
Leon Janney Board Room
360 Madison Ave, 12th floor
New York, NY 10017
RSVP 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. 650
Chicago, IL 60611
RSVP 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. 900
San Francisco, CA 94104
RSVP 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).

MEMBER ALERT: WASH-BALT UNION MEMBER'S OBLIGATIONS AND STATUS OF THE UNION'S AGENCY FRANCHISES

2009-09-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Washington-Baltimore Branch Members: Important Information to Clarify the Status of the Union's Agency Franchises, and Union Members' Obligations There Under

Member Alert from the Washington-Baltimore RBD:

Because of the inherent complexities of agency relations today, SAG and AFTRA (the “Unions”) have received numerous requests from members in both the Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C. areas to clarify the status of the Unions’ agency franchises, and Union members’ obligations there under.

Pursuant to SAG and AFTRA Agency Regulations, Union members who choose to secure the services of an agent are, generally, required to choose from a list of franchised representatives [i.e. those that are bound by the Unions’ Agency Regulations, SAG’s Rule 16(g) and AFTRA’s Rule 12-C, respectively]. However, in some areas of the country, such as Virginia, SAG and AFTRA do not have a brick and mortar presence. In such limited circumstances, we are aware that some Union members may sometimes secure representation from agents that are not franchised, with the understanding that they have voluntarily chosen to enter into those arrangements at their own risk. In the latter scenario, SAG and AFTRA nonetheless strongly encourage members who are desirous of having Union protections to seek out franchised agents in the next nearest area where SAG and AFTRA do have a physical presence (such as Washington, D.C., for example). The Unions can only protect you when you are represented by franchised agents.

If you have made the decision to seek out non-franchised agents in areas such as Virginia, the Unions urge you to proceed with extreme caution before entering into any contractual relationship with an entity that may be operating under divided loyalties. For instance, a production company in a position to hire you that also bills itself as a “talent agency” wishing to represent you, should be thoroughly vetted before you sign on the dotted line. Union members are strongly encouraged to fully investigate companies that sell themselves as so-called “one stop shops” to ensure that there are no inherent conflicts of interest in their business models which could ultimately damage an actor’s long term career development/goals/earning capacity. e.g. if a producer you have worked for suddenly announces that it can also “represent” you as a talent agent, ask yourselves, “is this an irreconcilable conflict of interest? Is the production company more interested in keeping the costs of production down, or negotiating the highest possible wages and working conditions for my services as an actor?”

Other warning signals that should be closely heeded include, but are not limited to:
· Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to charge you upwards of 15% commission;
· Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that encourage you to abandon your Union status in order to try to secure “non-Union” work;
· Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that try to tether you to automatically renewing contracts;
· Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that purport to own any of your work product or property as an artist in perpetuity;
· Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to have you indemnify them for the cost of doing business or litigation;
· Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” who attempt to get you to agree to non-compete clauses in their contracts, essentially prohibiting you from auditioning for other employers with which they have a pre-existing relationship.

Remember: Simply signing with some entity for the sake of securing an “agent” may, if not done cautiously in conjunction with your Union office/branch and with your long term business interests in mind, cause you and your career possibly irreparable and irreversible damage. In most instances, it is just not worth the risk. Should you have any agency-related questions, or are unclear about the status of entities with which you are seeking to work, please do not hesitate to contact SAG’s National Agency Departments at: (in LA) (323) 549-6729, AFTRA’s National Agency Department (in NY) at 212-532-0800, or the SAG/AFTRA Local Branch office (in Washington, D.C.) at (301) 657-2560. We can also be reached by email at zino.macaluso@sag.org, mcapuano@aftra.com and, locally, at jlove@aftra.com. Thank you.

REGIONAL BRANCH DIVISIONS ACROSS THE USA RESPOND TO ANNE-MARIE JOHNSON'S CAMPAIGN STATEMENTS

2009-09-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER, 2009
RBD'S ACROSS THE COUNTRY BLAST JOHNSON'S STATEMENTS
SETS RECORD STRAIGHT ABOUT JOHNSON
THE REGIONAL BRANCH DIVISION'S FULL RESPONSE:
(Johnson's actual quotes in RED)

Recently SAG presidential candidate Anne-Marie Johnson sent a letter to Regional Branch Division SAG members, asking for their support of her run for that seat.

Those of us who have served alongside Ms. Johnson take broad and deep exception to this letter, whose words simply do not square with her deeds of the past many years of service to the Hollywood Division — the only Division she really serves.

So Regional Branch national board members, council presidents, council members and members at large analyzed the campaign literature paragraph by paragraph, and responded to it. This, from folks who have had front row seats in the board room and at national meetings nationwide. These Regional Branch Members are rank-and-file “boots on the ground,” and you can trust their observations as astute and accurate.

You’ve read what Hollywood member Anne-Marie Johnson has written to Regional Branch Division members regarding her candidacy for president of Screen Actors Guild.

Now read what Branch members, most of whom serve on the SAG National Board or are Regional Branch presidents, have to say about Ms. Johnson and her claims.

Members from across the country looked at her letter paragraph by paragraph… and their response is revealing! As you read, ask yourself: who do you trust? A Hollywood member who believes Branch performers are “hobbyists” and whose stated claim is to pull all work back to Hollywood — or your fellow Regional Branch Division members, who have observed Ms. Johnson in action for years?

Actions, after all, speak louder than words.

JOHNSON As one of SAG’s presidential candidates, I wanted to personally communicate with you regarding the upcoming election. When elected, I’ll be the national president, representing all SAG members. Not just the members in Hollywood or New York.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•Really? Is that why Ms. Johnson led a movement to force block voting, thereby depriving the Branches of a voice in the TV Theatrical contract negotiations? After all, it was her motion that started the entire debacle resulting in protracted negotiations and a breakdown of relations with AFTRA.
Mary McDonald-Lewis, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Portland

•This is very interesting as Ms. Johnson has nothing but disdain for actors outside of Hollywood. And her faction, Membership First, has done nothing but try to marginalize actors in the Branches.Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

•I find that impossible to believe. Ms. Johnson and her Membership First followers have made it clear that they would like nothing better than to close the Branches. She and her followers also consider “runaway production” any work done outside of Los Angeles. Ms. Johnson truly believes we are “hobbyists” who shouldn’t have a say in the contracts or running of the Guild — that’s the job of the “real actors” in Hollywood. How does that make her a national president?Debra Nelson, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Atlanta

•So we should believe Ms. Johnson will be willing to represent, without bias, the MAJORITY of SAG members she essentially sued when the MAJORITY’S elected representatives were forced to take the only option left to them, so the voice of the MAJORITY of members would be heard. Please pardon my skepticism.
Mike Montgomery, Regional Branch Division, President, Nashville

“I don’t know who you people are, and I don’t care who you are. I’m not your friend. I don’t need any more friends. My only concern is Hollywood, and the members here. So I’m not sure what I’m even doing in here. Nothing you say or do is of any concern to me.”
Anne-Marie Johnson, Regional Branch Meeting, National Board Plenary, October 2003

JOHNSON My record with regard to national Guild concerns is clear. As a national board member for over 10 years, I’ve consistently voted in favor of dues waivers requested by our branch board members. I’ve spent many years of my career working outside of Hollywood and know first hand the dearth of SAG covered work in many regions in this country. Especially in Right To Work states, making it even more difficult for SAG members to afford yearly mandatory union expenses.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•I made the presentation to the National Board for the temporary waiver/reduction in dues. All of Membership First, including Ms. Johnson, fought tooth and nail against the waiver. It was only passed because they did not have the majority in the Boardroom at the time. And while she claims to understand the dearth of SAG work in the regions because she worked outside of Hollywood for years, the truth is she “shot on location” outside of Hollywood. That’s far different from living and working in a Branch. In the past she has used this same issue to push the idea of qualified voting. In fact, she and Membership First have consistently argued that National Board members from the Branches were less than worthy of an equal say in the running of the Guild because of the supposed dearth of work we’ve done. Going so far as to hold up what was said to be IMBD printouts from Hollywood Board Members compared to those from RBD Board Members. And Ms. Johnson has exhibited little interest if any in doing a single thing to improve Right to Work markets. I sat on the dais with Cece DuBois to present a report to the National Board on the issues facing Right-To-Work. Anne-Marie sat directly in front of us with a dismissive attitude, laughing, snickering and whispering to Alan Rosenberg the entire time. And don’t forget she and Alan filed a lawsuit against the Guild that originally included me and every other member of the National Board in the Branches she “loves and supports” so much. A lawsuit which is ongoing and costing the members thousands upon thousands of dollars.
Debra Nelson, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Atlanta

•This is very gracious of Ms. Johnson as her real efforts have been about amassing power in Hollywood and trying to dictate terms and railroading committees to her needs. She has also consistently voted against the best interests of SAG members.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

•AMJ’s been in the room for ten years, all right. And during that time she has proven herself to be volatile and contemptuous, a power grabber who consistently displays disregard and disrespect for NB members in the Branches.

At one National Board meeting in the recent past, an MF member rose to speak at a mic. The member held in her hand a stack of printouts from the website, IMDB. As this individual moved to the mic, AMJ leaned to the person next to her and said, “Oh, there goes F– F–: watch. This is gonna be great!” The MFer at the mic waved the pages over her head, and proceeded to try and annihilate the RBD reps by claiming the pages proved their status as “hobbyists.”

AMJ feigned outrage from the dais, and – in her pro forma performance – offered up an apology for this “conduct’”… and, “scene.” Seriously. It was all scripted. An act. With MF, and AMJ, it always is.

And it’s interesting that her PR consultant had her list Right to Work as an “issue of concern to her.” Could have been a smart move, but she forgot to tell the PR guy that when the Right to Work presentation was given she sat in the front row and made jokes, whispered about the presentation with the guy next to her, laughed, made catcalls, and was generally obnoxious throughout. And the guy next to her fell asleep. That was Alan Rosenberg. What a pair.
In short, Anne Marie Johnson is an abusive dictator who cares NOTHING for the Branches, but who will say ANYTHING to convince you otherwise so that she can get and stay in control.
Cece DuBois, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Nashville

•Ms. Johnson’s “record… is clear” indeed. She and her Membership First comrades have bullied and belittled Regional Branch representatives relentlessly. As to voting in favor of dues waivers, MF let the RBD know that they fully expected quid pro quo, and that we’d better vote for what “Hollywood” wants next time. And what their Hollywood wants is rarely in the best interest of Branch members. During her visit to my Right-to-Work state, concerns expressed by our members fell on deaf ears.
Suzanne Burkhead, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Dallas-Ft. Worth

JOHNSON As recently as July 2009, I, along with the president, secretary-treasure and 2nd vice president, based on a request from 3rd vice president David Hartley-Margolin, supported a motion delaying the automatic increase in SAG’s initiation fee specifically because of the potential hardship it may cause new joins in our branches.

THE BRANCHES RESPONDHere’s what SAG 3rd VP David Hartley-Margolin, whom Ms. Johnson quotes, has to say about his name being used in her propaganda:
•Anne-Marie has political skills, there’s no doubt about that. She has taken an off-hand inquiry I made to David White at the RBD meeting in Atlanta in June, twisted it carefully so that it appears on its face as being something the RBD was desperate for, and gave a snapshot report of a meeting where the five officers decided to move the concept forward for the entire union, in order to fight off her Hollywood centric image.

Use of my name without notifying me of the intention to do so as a backdoor method of inferring my support of Anne-Marie and the MF slate is not particularly surprising considering the source. Like I said, AMJ has political skills.
David Hartley-Margolin, SAG 3rd VP, Regional Branch Division, Denver

•This is very surprising as building consensus has been the least of priorities for Ms. Johnson. I believe that this was done to appear magnanimous; however the deception is that she and her Membership First faction use this as part of their ammo against the Branches.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

JOHNSON Unlike my opponent Seymour Cassel, I believe a member should have as many opportunities to work SAG jobs, assisted by SAG staff, with strong representation on the national board, wherever they live in this country.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•”Strong representation”? Ms. Johnson actively supported a promoter of Financial Core for the National Board seat in Portland. Is she not aware that Financial Core is one the biggest threats to SAG? Or was she not aware that the person she was campaigning for was a promoter of FC? Either way, it speaks poorly of her as a member, let alone candidate for office.
Robert Blanche, Regional Branch Division, President, Portland

•This is contrary to Ms. Johnson and her Membership First minions’ mantra of everyone outside of Hollywood being “hobbyists” or “pygmies of the entertainment world.” “Strong” representation means running candidates that are proponents for financial core and for consolidating power in Hollywood.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

JOHNSON Unlike my opponent Ken Howard, I was a strong opponent of the 2009 TV/Theatrical Contract for several reasons but most specifically due to the New Media proposals. Those proposals now allow SAG signatory employers to produce non-union work in New Media with budgets $15,000,00 per minute or less. No guaranteed minimums, P & H contributions or residuals. I believe our employers will choose to produce these New Media production in Right To Work states, taking advantage of the ever growing non union talent pool, making our SAG branch members obsolete. I was against the 2009 TV/Theatrical contract because of New Media, loss of the mileage increase and other issues which I believe will harm a disproportionate number of our branch members.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•Ms Johnsons’ opposition to the TV/Theatrical Contract was an exercise in irrational, illogical behavior. There was no way we were going to get a better contract than our sister unions and the war Ms. Johnson and her Membership First minions fought against AFTRA reduced our leverage at the Negotiation table drastically. Ms. Johnson’s adversarial tone helped to create a tense negotiating climate.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

•Ann-Marie writes in paragraph 7, “Especially in Right To Work states, making it even more difficult for SAG members to afford yearly mandatory union expenses.” Note her comment on Right to Work in this paragraph is contradicted by her comments in paragraph 5 where she writes “I believe our employers will choose to produce these New Media production in Right To Work states… making our SAG Branch members obsolete.”
•Our members gladly pay dues, with pride in our union, even when there is no work. The issue is initiation fees that are affordable for actors living outside of Hollywood, for whom the opportunity to recoup the initial fee investment is far more difficult.
Art Lynch, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Nevada

•Ms. Johnson’s opposition to the contract, and obstructionist attitude toward making a deal in the first place cost our members millions of dollars in lost work. Our members wanted a deal. Right-to-Work? Please. She’s never offered support of our issues before. Ken Howard understands and supports the needs of the RBD. Ken’s intelligent, measured, and reasoned style is much more conducive to improving conditions within our union and in the industry, rather than Anne-Marie’s confrontational, bullying manner.
Suzanne Burkhead, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Dallas-Ft. Worth

JOHNSON Unlike my opponent Ken Howard, I have never nor will I ever support any motion to institute any form of Qualified/Affected Voting. Any plan of selected qualifications for the right to vote on SAG contracts will greatly impact members living in areas where work is more than sporadic at no fault of our members. Qualified/Affected Voting is an elitist notion that I will not support.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•Ms. Johnson continues to dig up straw man arguments. This is hardly more than an afterthought for Ken Howard and Unite For Strength. And what’s interesting to note is that we already have Qualified Voting in regards to some of our contracts like Animation and Interactive Media.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

•Membership First was the group that circulated the idea of Qualified/Affected Voting in hopes of disenfranchising regional members in key contract votes. When MF discovered that Qualified/Affected Voting would also erode their LA power base, including extras, the idea was quickly tabled. Now she wants us to believe that MF never went in that direction. False! She and Alan Rosenberg specifically brought it up at an Atlanta RBD Meeting. Don’t be fooled by her moderate posturing during this election, she has repeatedly proven to be harsh and vindictive towards RBD members. It is also interesting to note that regional members have captured a large share of new series and theatrical roles.
With LA production capacity down almost 60%, the old Hollywood system may be gone forever. Now who’s qualified?
Ric Reitz, Regional Branch Division, Atlanta

JOHNSON Unlike my opponent Ken Howard, I am against the use of the Written Assent. I believe it is a flaw in SAG’s constitution and I have joined in a lawsuit against my union to correct what I believe is blatantly unfair. The Written Assent denies the minority a voice in board decisions. From 2005 to 2008, while in the majority, Membership First never used the Written Assent, which would have allowed the majority to take any action, large or small, without the input or objection of the minority. Although Membership First has been accused of wanting to close branch offices, during the years Membership First held the majority on the board, not one single branch office was closed. Just the opposite. In 2007/08, the Guild, under a Membership First majority, with the leadership of Doug Allen, promoted a staff person to Regional Branch Executive Director, added an executive in New Mexico and hired more SAG staff to assist our members in New Orleans, Dallas, Philadelphia, Las Vegas and Miami.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•Ms. Johnson Has cost SAG members an extraordinary amount of money to defend the lawsuit she filed, and has refused to drop though the courts have dismissed it repeatedly. No one wanted to resort to Written Assent, but as the court has repeatedly ruled it is fully within legal boundaries. As we can see from this latest statement, Ms. Johnson still refuses to accept the facts and plans to continue fleecing the membership. The truth is that Membership First never needed to use Written Assent, because other parties succumbed to the will of the body. MF turned to obstructionist politics once they lost the majority, forcing Written Assent. As for closing of the Branches, it was too late; contrary to Ms. Johnson’s assertion, Branches that had not already lost brick and mortar did lose funding for the joint offices, leaving AFTRA to go it alone in branches that had been shared.
Robert Blanche, Regional Branch Division, President, Portland

•What Ms. Johnson leaves out here is that the motion which was ultimately passed by written assent was brought to a National Board Meeting on January 12, 2009. That meeting was filibustered by Ms. Johnson and her Membership First cohorts. The meeting lasted 28+ hours, during which time the minority, Membership First, had 28 continuous hours of “input and objection” to the motion on the floor.

The reason written assent was never used by Membership First when they were in the majority is that the minority never filibustered a meeting, thereby preventing the business of the Guild from being completed. The Membership First filibuster of January 12/13, 2009 resulted in no Board business being completed – other than the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag – costing the Guild many thousands of dollars.

If Ms. Johnson believes this provision in the Constitution to be “flawed,” then there are built in democratic processes she could utilize to correct the perceived flaw. A lawsuit is not the answer.
Kathryn Howell, Regional Branch Division, San Francisco Branch President

•This would be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. Ms. Johnson’s club, Membership First, is actually running candidates of their own in Philadelphia as well as other Branches right now. Their candidates? In Portland, it was a pro Financial Core actor living 5 hours from Portland with no idea of the market or its challenges. In Philly, MF found a candidate after promising career advancement to him. In San Diego, Ms. Johnson herself is funding the campaign of the MF candidate. Their choices in other Branches are equally stellar, and all with one goal: to shift all power to Hollywood, and close the Branches down. No wonder they want SAG staff in the regions: to help pack up the files and turn off the phone.
Mary McDonald-Lewis, National Board Member, Portland

•The use of Written Assent was a last resort due to the unparalleled filibuster proliferated by Ms. Johnson and her Membership First faction. The damage and cost done to the Guild by the machinations of Ms. Johnson, Membership First and their puppet mouthpiece Doug Allen had to be stopped for the greater good.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

•The truth is that Las Vegas did not add a staff person. For one we are the Nevada Branch and not Las Vegas Branch, and our executive was based in Los Angeles serving Nevada and San Diego. Under pressure from the Nevada Branch, from our Nevada Branch executive, National Executive Director Linda Dowell and under promises made under Bob Pisano and David White years before, an executive position was transferred to Las Vegas to serve both Nevada and San Diego. She did not even get our branch name correct. Our executive does not have a secretary, there is no actual branch office outside of his home, and the number of Regional Branch staff has been reduced.

The office is something Nevada membership has been vocal for since our office with a staff of three was shut down. Our members being the squeaky wheel had more to do with the change than anything else. Ann Marie did not contact any of the Nevada SAG officers or council to talk about our executive or office.
Art Lynch, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Nevada

JOHNSON I take my SAG board obligations seriously. Unlike my opponent Ken Howard, my over 10 years of board meeting attendance records are irreproachable. Just in the past year there have been 10 Hollywood Division board meetings. I attended and chaired ALL 10. Mr. Howard attended ONLY 2. In the past year SAG has held 9 national board meetings. I attended ALL 9. Mr. Howard attended ONLY 3.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•Ken Howard was on the East Coast for 6 months doing a play. Not just any play, but an award winning, critically acclaimed one-man show. A little hard to replace him for that. However, he made sure he secured an alternate at all times to be seated in the room. Though working, he received all the information about what transpired during those meetings. Ms. Johnson insults the Branches regularly claiming we are not working actors, and then chastises Mr. Howard for being just that.
Mary McDonald-Lewis, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Portland

•Ms. Johnson is obsessed with her SAG obligations, plain and simple. At the expense of her acting career. Mr. Howard was unable to attend these meetings due to work, which is why there are provisions for Alternates.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

JOHNSON The Screen Actors Guild is a labor union and needs to be lead like one. I have the experience and union know-how to serve SAG members with insight and determination. With the patience and desire to truly listen to all members’ concerns, I am willing and able to proudly serve as your next president. Both Connie Stevens, SAG Secretary-Treasurer candidate, and I would appreciate your support.

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•As a result of Ms. Johnson’s actions, board members incur the personal expense of error and omission insurance since you sue those have differing views than yours; according to the “press” you (Membership First) were part of a Board meeting filibuster that precluded accomplishment of Guild business…is that how you’d lead?
Steve Fried, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Arizona

•Patience is not in Ms. Johnson’s vernacular. I have seen nothing but impatience from her on the dais and while I agree that the Screen Actors Guild is a labor union, having maniacal, obsessive leadership is not productive in the least.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

•SAG is a labor union, and as a labor union should strive for peace with its fellow unions, not war. The aggressive Anti-Phase One campaign, led by Ms. Johnson, was a key cause in the breakdown of our TV-Theatrical contract negotiations, costing YOU millions of dollars.
Mary McDonald-Lewis, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Portland

•Patience is not something I have observed in the boardroom. Anne-Marie has shouted down or shut down objections to the Towers-Perrin report (a report that resulted in a reduction of Branch voices within the union). She shut down all debate and was a strong part of why no Guild Business was conducted during the 28-hour consecutive board meeting. That meeting resulted in the Branches, New York, Hollywood moderates and some stalwart Hollywood Independents taking drastic action because we were not allowed to debate, or vote on issues in the boardroom under Anne-Marie and Membership First. We were shut out of the democratic process.
I sat behind Anne-Marie during a debate over Towers-Perin and the restructuring of the Guild to its current governmental organization. I recall she insisted that minority representation would not suffer if we moved to proportionate voting and a smaller board. In fact the reverse has been true, initially with reduced African American presence and Native Americans on a board that had previously served those populations. The number of voices for the Branches and New York were also greatly reduced and a complicated weighted voting system initiated under a plan she backed and which eventually passed.
Art Lynch, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Nevada

•Any real supporter of the labor movement understands that trying to weaken one labor union ultimately weakens all of us. Ms. Johnson supported the anti-AFTRA campaign and has continued to disparage our sister union.
Suzanne Burkhead, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Dallas-Ft. Worth

•Anne-Marie Johnson writes how she will lead, but she has already shown us how she will lead. Her previous actions tell all. Eight expired contracts, filibuster to stop the business of the National Board, disparaging remarks against other unions, disparaging remarks about actors in the Branches, and a lawsuit against her own union that she will not drop even though it has been denied in two courts. Her leadership has wasted members’ dues money and created job loss. She has shown us how she will lead. So do not be fooled by her words here. Anne-Marie Johnson only wants to serve Anne-Marie Johnson.
Laura Kenny, Regional Branch Division, Council Member, Seattle

•Ms. Johnson will listen to her own “Insight and determination,” the former of which is lacking member input, and the latter, which is in overdrive. She has refused to listen to the fact that 78% of the voting members disagreed with her and voted for the TV/Theatrical agreement. In fact, she continues to decry the agreement when it was overwhelmingly ratified, indicating how out of touch she is with SAG members across the nation as well as in her own Hollywood Branch.
Robert Blanche, Regional Branch Division, President, Portland

JOHNSON For more information about my union experience and my plans to make the Screen Actors Guild an even stronger labor union, including uniting all actors-performers under one roof, please visit www.anne-mariejohnson.net.

THE BRANCHES RESPONDLet’s let Ms. Johnson define just what she means by “all actors under one roof.” Here’s a transcript of a taped talk she gave at a members’ meeting in Atlanta, Georgia in January 2009. Thanks to member Barry Stoltz for providing it.

Question from an Atlanta member: What is the biggest problem that you personally see with us merging? Why can’t we do it? I’m terribly naïve.
Anne-Marie: I can tell you what the problem is. I believe all actors should be under one roof and one roof only. I do not want broadcasters under that roof. There’s your answer.
Mike: But what… I think his question was what’s the obstacle?
Anne-Marie: To me, you asked me about merger, I want all actors under one umbrella.
Mike: But I think his question was what do you think the obstacle is to that happening?
Anne-Marie: There are many obstacles, but you asked me… In my opinion, I want all actors under one roof and not broadcasters.
Barry Stoltz, Regional Branch Division, Council Member, Atlanta

•Anne-Marie’s plan for “uniting all actors-performers under one roof” faces serous challenges under Federal Labor Law and in the clear raiding of other unions’ jurisdictions.
Art Lynch, SAG National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Nevada

•Ms. Johnson’s “all actors under one roof” is not an indication of her desire to merge SAG and AFTRA, as it is a form of hostile takeover, and it will not work, especially since MF’s aggressive approach toward AFTRA contributed to a breakdown in relations between the unions, which ultimately strengthened AFTRA in primetime and episodic television and caused the unions to negotiate separately. Instead of aggressively organizing work for members as the jurisdictional battle heated up, AMJ, MF and Doug Allen chose to expend energy trying to stop AFTRA from organizing, which proved to be an incredibly poor tactic. We don’t need more of that kind of thinking and waste of effort, the kind Ms. Johnson and Membership First have been promoting as long I’ve been on SAG’s political scene.
Robert Blanche, Regional Branch Division, President, Portland

•Ms. Johnson’s “union” experience includes a standing lawsuit against the Screen Actors Guild, warring with a sister union, disparaging comments, marginalizing union members outside of Hollywood, spending member’s dues to fund opposition to a sister union’s contract. Ms. Johnson is very skilled in Robert’s Rules of Order and increasingly finds ways to bend them to her will.
Rik Deskin, Regional Branch Division, President, Seattle

•I’ll tell you about Anne-Marie’s “plans.” She offered to chair a Task Force to investigate “acquiring” AFTRA actors. AFTRA has made it clear that it is not interested in any of her “plans.” Ken Howard and Amy Aquino can deliver the solidarity that we so desperately need, especially in these challenging times.
Suzanne Burkhead, National Board Member, Regional Branch Division, Dallas-Ft. Worth

•For information you can trust about Ms. Johnson’s real agenda, visit http://www.unitedunionperformers.org/ , http://www.unitedscreenactors.com/ , and http://www.uniteforstrength.com/
Mary McDonald-Lewis, SAG National Board Member, Portland

JOHNSON Sincerely,  Anne-Marie Johnson

THE BRANCHES RESPOND•Sincerely? I don’t think so. Does Ms. Johnson, who sits on SAG’s National Communication Committee and on the Editorial Subcommittee for Screen Actor Magazine, know that the words “Branch” and “Branches” are always to be capitalized, according to the Guild’s Manual of Style? If Ms. Johnson doesn’t respect the name of the Regional Branch Division, what makes you think she respects the Branch members who make it up?
Mary McDonald-Lewis, SAG National Board Member, Portland

THE FINAL WORD Since Anne-Marie is so proud of her political party Membership First, we’ll let Johnson supporter and card-carrying MFer Ed Asner have the last word on how Ms. Johnson’s group really feels about the Branches.
“We are surrounded by the pygmies of the entertainment world. We’re surrounded by AFTRA. We’re surrounded by NY, and its little people branches.” — Ed Asner, in a speech delivered in Griffith Park, 5/17/09

DON’T RELY ON ANNE-MARIE JOHNSON’S WORDS:LOOK AT HER DEEDS.ELECT KEN HOWARD FOR SCREEN ACTORS GUILD PRESIDENT.

CAMPAIGN CLOSE-UP: RIK DESKIN FOR THE SEATTLE BRANCH DIVISION

2009-09-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

CAMPAIGN CLOSE-UP: RIK DESKIN, SEATTLE RBD

Rik Deskin, SAG's Seattle Branch President and running for re-election, has been a Screen Actors Guild Member since 2003, and has served both locally and nationally on committees and task forces. Local Committees have included Organizing and Nominating as well as Wages and Working Conditions Committees for Industrial (Chair) and Commercials (Seattle Alternate Chair) and currently on the Negotiating Committee (Alternate Chair) for the Northwest Commercials Code. Deskin is also a Delegate for SAG to the Martin Luther King County Labor Council.

National Committees include: Alternate Eligibility Task Force, Casting On Line Task Force, Comedians (RBD Chair), Commercial Performers, Communications (RBD Vice Chair), Screen Actor Magazine Editorial Sub-Committee, Howard Keel Award Review, Interactive Contract Negotiating Committee (RBD Chair), LGBT, Low-Budget, New Technologies, and the TV Animation Negotiating Committee. Recently he had the opportunity to stand-in as Alternate for the National Director for Seattle, Abby Dylan at the Regional Branch Division Meeting in Atlanta. As an Alternate Deskin has worked to foster and cultivate relationships with fellow Alternates and National Directors across the country.

Recently, SAGWATCH has posted 30 questions for candidates running for office in the SAG elections. To date, only three have responded, Deskin being the most recent.

Q. What do you see as the responsibility of the office of SAG President (or the office for which you are running)?

DESKIN: The ultimate responsibilities of SAG President are to listen to all the members. To be a positive force and face for the entertainment industry and to cultivate a culture of collaboration amongst our industry peers. This is mirrored in the office of Seattle Branch President/Alternate National Director which I am running for re-election for.

Q. Why do you believe you are qualified to serve? Is the position you seek one for which a lot of previous union experience is necessary?

DESKIN: I’m qualified because I believe in advocacy for actors and the industry we work in. And no pun intended, but I “act” on that. I love acting and I love actors and I will do everything in my power to improve the courageous lives of actors. As far as my union experience, I was thinking like a union actor before I was even union. I’ve been a union member since 2003 and have been activated ever since. I still have more to learn and I look forward to that.

Q. Do you have the time to do the job?

DESKIN: Yes I do. Depending on the day or the week and what sort of acting work I book, I’m on 24/7 and if not available, I have very accomplished Alternates available to send in my stead.

Q. What do you see as the single greatest challenge facing SAG today, and, if elected, how would you address that challenge?

DESKIN: Our greatest challenge is relevance. How do we remain relevant in the 21st century and keep pace with the rapidly changing industry? How do we remain relevant as organized labor when all of our employers also employ our sister union performers. Being united is the only way. The old adage is true that there is strength in numbers.

Q. Do you think it is important, or even possible, for the various factions in SAG work together? What would you do to make that happen, or, if you believe it’s not possible, how will you cope with the schism?

DESKIN: I think it’s possible if we are rid of key instigators. I’m all for consensus, but I believe you reach it acting as adults and not playing High School Drama Club games. We are here to represent the members’ best interests, not our own.

Q. If elected, would you support any action by the National Board to remove David White as NED? Should he be given a contract to remove interim from his title?

DESKIN: Not at all. This man has done so much to help correct the direction of this ship. He should definitely be given a contract and become our Executive Director. I appreciate how patient and dedicated he is on behalf of all the membership.

READ THE REST OF THE Q&A AT: http://www.sagwatch.net/ click on "30 Questions For Candidates" in the right-hand column.

Learn More about Seattle Branch President Rik Deskin at http://www.unitedunionperformers.org/

CAMPAIGN CLOSE-UP: HELEN McNUTT, PHILADELPHIA BRANCH NATIONAL BOARD REPRESENTATIVE

2009-09-02T07:49:00.000-07:00

CAMPAIGN CLOSE-UP: HELEN McNUTT PHILADELPHIA RBD

Helen McNutt is running for re-election in the Philadelphia Branch.

Here is her statement:

"It has been my privilege to serve as your National Board Representative, especially because it has afforded me the opportunity of getting to know so many of you. Securing an “on the ground” SAG staff person for Philadelphia, fighting hard to keep our Pennsylvania Tax Incentive Program, and working diligently on numerous national committees has kept me busy but excited about the future of our Branch. I would appreciate your vote so I can continue my efforts for you."

Helen McNutt is endorsed by Unite For Strength: "I heartily endorse Helen McNutt's candidacy, and urge Philadelphia's SAG members to reelect her to the National Board."
Adam Arkin, SAG Hollywood National Board Representative

"SAG is a national union. I know how important it is to have good representatives in all areas of the country. Helen McNutt is one of those representatives. She has proven that she serves the members from Philadelphia as well as our national membership. That kind of leadership makes us a strong union. It is the kind of leadership that we need so much right now. Helen McNutt deserves your vote."
Sally Field

For more about Helen McNutt and the Philadelphia RBD, visit http://www.unitedunionperformers.org/ and http://www.sag.org/

TONY LoBIANCO GOES "INDIE"--BREAKS AWAY FROM MEMBERSHIP FIRST

2009-09-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

LoBIANCO DECLARES HIMSELF "INDEPENDENT"
PUTS MEMBERSHIP FIRST AT ARMS LENGTH ?
by Wally Cook, for The SAG Reporter

NEW YORK

It was a subtle change and shuffling of announcements, but Tony LoBianco, 73, is no longer on Membership First's New York slate of candidates running for a seat in the Big Apple division, but appears to be running as an "independent" candidate.

Back in late July, Membership First announced to the press their entire slate of candidates. In New York, running for New York Division seats, Membership First announced Melissa Leo, Tony Lo Bianco, Celia Weston, Mitch Green, Matt Mulhern and Erik-Anders Nilsson. Star names were top-loaded in the announcement. Standard practice.

This branch of Membership First, under Anne-Marie Johnson's full endorsement, styled themselves SAGNOW! SAGNOW!, under the leadership of spokesman Anders Nilsson, included LoBianco's name in press materials and on the groups website. As recently as August 24th, in an invitation only fundraiser for Membership First in New York, Tony LoBianco was listed as a "meet and greet" candidate.

After complaints that Membership First, in using the name SAGNOW!, was intentionally attempting to confuse New York members with the group AFTRANOW, and SAG's legal department ruling that no SAG political party can appropriate the name "SAG", Membership First quickly changed their New York name to "Solidarity and Gains Now!".

Somewhere along the line in all of this confusion and maneuvering, revealing great ineptness in organizing and creating their own moniker, the press materials once listing Tony LoBianco as a "Solidarity and Gains NOW" candidate changed to an "Independent" candidate, with the New York Membership First group simply "endorsing" LoBianco.

At press time, there has been no statement by LoBianco as to his campaign platform, his views on SAG or the New York Division, or why he is now running as an independent, save for a brief quote on the Solidarity and Gains groups website.

Membership First has long belittled the New York Division, with Hollywood Board candidate and Former SAG President Ed Asner recently referring to New York and its members as "the pygmies of the entertainment world."

Is this why Tony LoBianco put distance between himself and Membership First? Time will tell.

TOM HANKS SPEAKS OUT ABOUT UNITE FOR STRENGTH

2009-09-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

HANKS SUPPORTS KEN HOWARD AND THE UNITE FOR STRENGTH TICKET
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KEN HOWARD'S STATEMENT: RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT OF THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD

2009-09-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

AFTRANOW ENDORSES USAN'S NEW YORK SLATE

2009-09-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

'09 SAG ELECTION CAMPAIGN
NEW YORK

AFTRANOW has endorsed USAN candidates MIKE HODGE--New York Division President and the NY Nominating Committee Candidates SHARON WASHINGTON, LIZ ZAZZI, MANNY ALFARO, DAVE BACHMAN, MARC BARON, JUSTIN BARRETT, SAM FREED, SHEILA HEAD, JOE NARCISCO, JAY POTTER, JOHN ROTHMAN, KEVIN SCULLIN, and MONICA TROMBETTA.

AFTRANOW's statement from their website: "We reiterate an earlier post: we are not affiliated in any way with a group calling itself Membership First/SAGNOW. We encourage you to visit the USAN website and familiarize yourself with the outstanding men and women running to help lead SAG into the 21st century."

The United Screen Actors Nationwide site is: www.unitedscreenactors.com

AMY AQUINO ON THE FUTURE OF SAG'S FINANCES

2009-09-01T08:59:00.001-07:00

WILLIAM H. MACY AND FELICITY HUFFMAN ENDORSE KEN HOWARD, AMY AQUINO AND UNITE FOR STRENGTH

2009-09-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

NED VAUGHN SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD AND UNITE FOR STRENGTH

2009-09-01T08:53:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-31T12:20:00.000-07:00

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?

2009-08-31T09:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

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

UNITE FOR STRENGTH DEBUTS NEW, UPDATED WEBSITE

2009-08-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

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

RIP FORMER SAG ADVISOR AND LEGAL COUNSEL DAVID ALTER

2009-08-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-27T17:36:00.000-07:00

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

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).

BASIC CABLE LIVE ACTION AGREEMENT APPROVED

2009-08-26T19:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-26T07:27:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-26T04:55:00.000-07:00

'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

SAG ELECTION BALLOTS MAILED TODAY

2009-08-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-08-20T09:11:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-08-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

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.

SAG ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES FOR 2009 NATIONAL OFFICER AND NATIONAL BOARD ELECTIONS

2009-08-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

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

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

2009-08-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

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"

2009-08-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

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

SAG HOUSTON BRANCH ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS

2009-08-05T21:00:00.002-07:00

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

2009-08-05T21:00:00.001-07:00

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

2009-08-05T21:00:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2009-08-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

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.

SAG COLORADO BRANCH ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS

2009-07-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
Los Angeles (July 30, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild today announced results for the Colorado Branch elections.
*Candidates elected from the Colorado Branch include:
David Hartley-Margolin - National Board Member - three-year termJohn Singer - President - three-year termWilliam A. McLain - Vice President - three-year termNancy Flanagan - Recording Secretary/Treasurer - three-year termDenis Berkfeldt - Council Member at Large - three-year termNita Froelich - Council Member at Large - three-year termMichael R. Kindig - Council Member at Large - three-year term
Those members elected as President, Vice President, Recording Secretary/Treasurer and 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 Colorado 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 24. The results of those elections will be reported when completed.

MEMBERSHIP FIRST'S NEW YORK CANDIDATES BRANDED "SAGNOW!"

2009-07-30T17:00:00.000-07:00

SAGNOW!'s PRESS RELEASE:
NY ACTORS ANNOUNCE GUILD BOARD ELECTION SLATE:
Solidarity And Gains NOW!
A new exciting slate of New York actors, running as independent candidates for seats on the Screen Actors Guild National Board, has just been announced.
The slate is called Solidarity And Gains NOW! and is also known as SAGNOW!.This dynamic team of NEW YORK actors is:
2009 Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress- Melissa Leo; famed character actor Tony Lo Bianco; David Rasche; Celia Weston; Mitchell Green (running for New York Board and NY Division president); star of television and stage – Matt Mulhern; and Erik-Anders Nilsson.
NY CANDIDATE QUOTES:
I am confident we can unite in our effort to secure the actors fair participation in new media revenues. That’s why I chose now to run for a SAG board seat.-Celia Weston
Only by uniting can we save our livelihoods. Then we can turn our full attention to New Media which is Now Media.-Mitchell Green
I am seeking a position on the SAG board after being a member for over 20 years. Unity through collaboration is what makes great things possible.-Melissa Leo
“I’m a passionate advocate for the rights of actors and I would be honored by your support. Thank you.”-Matt Mulhern
To vote knowledgeably on the new, live-or-die contract in 2011, you need to know what will it mean to you in terms of dollars. Let’s end senseless New York/Hollywood conflicts. That’s why I have chosen to run.-David Rasche
It’s an honor to run with such talented, knowledgeable and diverse team of respected actors. Now is the time for SAG to unite, working towards a healthier and stronger contract in 2011.-Erik-Anders Nilsson
“I feel compelled to run for the National Board to preserve our gains, fight for improvement, look to the future and negotiate for what’s yet to come from a position of common sense and strength. I would work to bring together our membership and heal divisions in our sister unions that so many of us are members of.”-Tony Lo Bianco
Ballots will be mailed to New York members on August 25th, with results known September 24th, 2009.
For more media contact information, please email us: SAGNOW2009@yahoo.com

MEMBERSHIP FIRST ANNOUNCES '09 CANDIDATES

2009-07-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

SAG ELECTIONS '09
MEMBERSHIP FIRST PICKS ANNE MARIE JOHNSON FOR PREZ
ALAN ROSENBERG DROPS OUT OF RACE AS "TAINTED"
IN NEW YORK: MEMBERSHIP FIRST FRONTS CANDIDATES

Hollywood's Membership First faction has chosen current SAG VP and anti-AFTRA advocate Anne-Marie Johnson to lead their ticket as President.

At a fundraiser for Membership First, Alan Rosenberg has said that he's "a bit tainted in terms of getting elected again" and has therefore stepped aside for Johnson. During Rosenberg's presidency, he was unsuccessful in negotiating any of the Guild's outstanding and lapsed contracts. In addition, Rosenberg, along with Johnson, Diane Ladd and Kent McCord are currently suing the Screen Actors Guild in a strong-armed attempt to overturn the National Board's firing of SAG's previous National Director, Doug Allen. This legal action has been expensive for members of the Screen Actors Guild, costing upwards of $170,000 of Members hard earned dues money.

Rosenberg will, however, run for a seat on the Hollywood Board, along with incumbents Joseph Bologna, George Coe, Elliott Gould, Robert Hays, David Jolliffe and Diane Ladd. Renee Aubry, Jane Austin, Jeff Austin, Clancy Brown, Jordana Capra, David Clennon, Brett Cullen, Joe d'Angerio, Anne DeSalvo, Anthony DeSantis, John Diehl, Kevin Dobson, Ron Harper, Hector Herrera, Marcus Lindsey, France Nuyen, Alan Ruck, Michele Santopietro and Charles Shaughnessy are also running under the MembershipFirst banner.

Anne Marie Johnson, along with Membership Firsters Rosenberg, Ladd and McCord, continue to fight in court. It is unclear how this lawsuit will impact Johnson's bid for the presidency.

Johnson, who lead Membership First's fight against the ratification of the recent TV/Theatrical contract, and after the membership did indeed ratify it, vowed to "shame David White" (SAG's current Interim National Director), if the contract was ratified. After the contract was ratified, Johnson announced that she would lead SAG into a strike in 2011, when the contracts came back up for negotiation. A "strike clock" was posted on the Membership First website.

Membership First's Hollywood Division slate includes hardliners Martin Sheen, Ed Harris, Ed Asner, all of whom worked hard to defeat the TV/Theatrical ratification. Asner, a former SAG president, spoke at a rally for Membership First on May 17, 2009, and urged Hollywood Members to craft a plan to create a new union for Hollywood actors, breaking away from SAG, if the members approved the then pending TV/Theatrical contract. Said Asner to a group of Membership First supporters in Griffith Park, "We have to re-create Hollywood, if neccesary, if National SAG betrays us with this contract. Remember that. Think about it. Think about how to do that."

In New York, running for New York Division seats, Membership First candidates include Melissa Leo, Tony Lo Bianco, Celia Weston, Mitch Green, Matt Mulhern and Erik-Anders Nilsson.

SAG NATIONAL BOARD APPROVES AND RECOMMENDS NEW SUCCESSOR AGREEMENT TO BASIC CABLE LIVE ACTION AGREEMENT

2009-07-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

SAG CONTRACT NEWS. BASIC CABLE LIVE ACTION. SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
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%
In other actions the board:
Authorized the Interim National Executive Director to expand the joint bargaining agreement with AFTRA under which the Commercials Contracts were negotiated to include the Industrial & Educational Contract with the 2008 Industrial & Educational Contract Negotiating Committee to serve through the next round of bargaining of the Industrial & Educational Contract.
Approved unanimously
Opposed by a vote of 51.74 percent to 48.26 percent the closure of the Motion Picture & Television Fund Long Term Care Facility.
The Board received presentations from representatives of the Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) and the Resident-family coalition Saving the Lives of Our Own.
After thorough discussion of both sides of the issue, the Board voted 51.74 percent to 48.26 percent to publicly oppose the closing of the MPTF’s Long Term Care facility.
“I think the extremely close vote is evidence of the difficult decision we wrestled with today,” said Screen Actors Guild National President Alan Rosenberg.
“The MPTF’s significant financial and operational concerns were absolutely heard, but after hearing the presentations from both sides of the issue, our board voted to oppose the closing and did so to try and preserve the legacy of the Motion Picture & Television Fund's Long Term Care historic commitment, in honor of the screen actors who founded it – Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin,” Rosenberg added.
The full text of the motion follows:
It was moved and seconded to approve that the SAG National Board publicly state the Guild’s opposition to the closing of the Motion Picture and Television Fund Long Term Care Facility.
Approved 51.74% – 48.26%
Voted 70.49 percent to 29.51 percent to postpone the automatic increase of the initiation fee for 2009.
The move provides an economic incentive to new members across the country by approving a one-year remission in the standard increase to the new join fee.
“The automatic increase in initiation fees would have made the cost of joining SAG more difficult for actors across the country, particularly in this difficult economic period. This action recognizes the stark reality facing professional actors and helps to keep the possibility of membership within reach of those who wish to join,” said SAG Interim National Executive Director David White.
The Guild’s initiation fee increases are determined as a multiple of the principal day rate as determined by the Guild’s collective bargaining agreement.
The Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors met today at a previously scheduled videoconference plenary in Los Angeles and New York.

NEW YORK: USAN ANNOUNCES HODGE FOR NY DIVISION PRESIDENT, ENDORSES KEN HOWARD AND AMY AQUINO

2009-07-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK
UNITED SCREEN ACTORS NATIONWIDE PRESS RELEASE:

USAN is proud to announce long-time Board member and Vice-President Mike Hodge is its candidate for New York Division President."The New York membership couldn't have a better choice than Mike Hodge," said current NY President Sam Freed. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, and progressive leadership with the ability to remain open to new ideas and solutions. Mike knows how to get things done for the membership."USAN/Nominating Committee Candidates for the National and New York Board are Manny Alfaro, Dave Bachman, Marc Baron, Sam Freed, Sheila Head, Joe Narciso, Jay Potter, John Rothman, Kevin Scullin, Sharon Washington, Liz Zazzi and USAN endorsed independent candidates Monica Trombetta and Justin Barrett.This group represents a solid combination of experience and new blood, a cross section of incumbents and active committee members who are running for the first time.Mike Hodge stated, "It's with great pride, humility and gratitude that I am running for this office with this incredible team of working actors. With the help of the membership, we can achieve great things for the Guild."USAN enthusiastically endorses Ken Howard for National President and Amy Aquino for Secretary-Treasurer. These outstanding candidates understand that SAG's future as a strong national union depends on building greater unity within the Guild and with our labor partners. They are the clear choice to lead SAG at this time.

UNITE FOR STRENGTH ANNOUNCES CANDIDATES FOR '09 SAG ELECTIONS

2009-07-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

July 23, 2009

UFS Announces Ken Howard as Candidate for SAG President

Amy Aquino to run for Secretary-Treasurer,

33 others for Board of Directors on UFS slate

Unite for Strength today announced Ken Howard as its candidate for Screen Actors Guild President, and Amy Aquino as its candidate for Secretary-Treasurer in Guild elections to be held this September. Unite for Strength will also field 33 candidates from the Hollywood Division for seats on the Board of Directors. A current Emmy nominee for HBO’s Grey Gardens, Ken Howard’s career began on stage but has encompassed four decades of starring roles on television and regular feature film work. The Tony and Emmy Award winning actor was elected on the Unite for Strength slate to SAG’s National Board in 2008 and currently chairs the National Seniors committee. Amy Aquino is a veteran performer with a decade of previous Guild service as Vice President and Board member. A graduate of Harvard University and the Yale School of Drama, she’s a ubiquitous television presence who has also worked consistently on stage and in film for over 20 years.

Presidential candidate Ken Howard said: “This election offers members a stark choice between two leadership approaches – attempt to go it alone or unite for strength. From 2005 through 2008, SAG experienced the divisive, go-it-alone approach of Membership First. They went to war with AFTRA, sought to marginalize New York and the branches, and repeatedly alienated other entertainment unions. Under Membership First’s leadership, SAG failed to successfully negotiate a single contract in 2008, which cost our members tens of millions of dollars. To make matters worse, it caused producers to take most new television production to AFTRA, resulting in still more lost work and benefits for SAG members.

“With increasing consolidation of media companies and new technologies transforming our business, we will pay dearly if we’re not smart and strategic about our future. I’m running for president as a Unite for Strength candidate because I believe the only way actors will get our fair share of the pie is if we’re united both internally and with our labor partners. If SAG members elect me and my fellow Unite for Strength candidates, we’ll make a clean break with the divisive leadership approach of Membership First and focus on building maximum unity with AFTRA and other entertainment guilds to give us real power when we sit down to negotiate contracts.”

Amy Aquino said: “The go-it-alone approach has wreaked havoc not only on members’ livelihoods, but on the Guild itself. The actions of Membership First have seriously weakened SAG financially, saddling us with a $6.5 million deficit. Their year-long delay in negotiating the TV/Theatrical contract, their fight with AFTRA, and other reckless decisions have caused deep-rooted fiscal damage. UFS has begun to address this crisis by resolving SAG’s two major contracts and supporting measures to streamline Guild operations. Going forward, we’ll continue to make SAG’s financial health a top priority.”

Unite for Strength board candidate Ned Vaughn said: “The failures of Membership First’s go-it-alone approach are so obvious that even they are now talking about the need to bring SAG and AFTRA actors into one union. Even if they’re sincere, the damage they’ve done to our relationship with AFTRA makes it impossible for them to lead any effort to build unity. As the DGA’s response to Alan Rosenberg’s call for a union summit makes plain, Membership First has a poisonous relationship with other entertainment guilds as well. For SAG members who believe we need stronger alliances with other unions, Unite for Strength is the clear choice in this election.”

The 33 candidates running on the Unite for Strength slate for seats on the national Board of Directors include incumbent Hollywood Division Board members: Vaughn, L. Scott Caldwell, Gabrielle Carteris, Assaf Cohen, Tim DeKay, Dule Hill, Clyde Kusatsu, Marcia Wallace, Doug Savant, William Smitrovich, Richard Speight, and Stacey Travis. Joining them on the slate will be actors Michelle Allsopp, Christian Clemenson, Ellen Crawford, Patrick Fabian, Richard Fancy, Jason George, Clark Gregg, Hill Harper, Gregory Itzin, David Lawrence, Dawnn Lewis, John Carroll Lynch, D.W. Moffett, Jenny O’Hara, Michael O’Keefe, Mandy Steckelberg, Amir Talai, and Nancy Travis, as well as background and motion capture artist Woody Schultz, voice actor Bob Bergen, and stuntman/coordinator Conrad Palmisano.

About Unite for Strength

Unite for Strength was formed last year by Hollywood Screen Actors Guild members concerned that SAG’s leadership was sowing division among performers and isolating the Guild, weakening its position in contract negotiations. Unite for Strength organizers were especially concerned with the Guild’s repeated attacks on AFTRA, which resulted in the two unions negotiating the TV/Theatrical contract separately for the first time in over 25 years. In September 2008, a group of Unite for Strength members ran for the board of directors, with 5 winning election to the National Board and 13 to the Hollywood Division Board.

As board members, they called for a more unifying and strategic leadership approach, but these calls were rejected by Membership First officers and directors. By year’s end, those leaders had failed to successfully negotiate any of SAG’s expired contracts up for renewal in 2008, including the all-important TV/Theatrical contract. With SAG losing new television production to AFTRA and film production slowed due to the lack of a contract, UFS representatives joined with board members from New York and across the country to form a new majority coalition and take control of the TV/Theatrical and Commercials contract negotiations. Working jointly with AFTRA, this coalition led SAG in negotiating a new Commercials contract that was ratified by a landslide 94% vote. Three weeks later, a new TV/Theatrical contract was approved by members nearly 4 to 1 (78%-22%) with a record voting turnout.

SAG PORTLAND BRANCH ANNOUNCES ELECTION

2009-07-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

SAG ELECTIONS '09 NEWS.
Los Angeles (July 21, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild today announced election results for the Portland Branch elections.

*Candidates elected from the Portland Branch include:

Mary McDonald-Lewis - National Board Member - three-year term
Robert Blanche - President - three-year term
Chrisse Roccaro - Vice President - three-year term
Wendy Martel - Secretary-Treasurer - three-year term
Karen Moulder - Council Member at Large - three-year term
Alexander Sandy Mackenzie - Council Member at Large - three-year term

Those members elected as President, Vice President, Secretary-Treasurer and 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 Portland 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 UTAH BRANCH ANNOUNCES ELECTION RESULTS

2009-07-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

SAG ELECTIONS '09 NEWS.
Los Angeles (July 21, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild today announced election results for the Utah Branch elections.

Candidates elected from the Utah Branch include:

Anne Sward - President - two-year term
Paul Mulder - Vice President - two-year term
Kathy Jarvis - Secretary - two-year term
Tracy Scott - Treasurer - two-year term
Cheryl Gaysunas - Council Member at Large - two-year term
Joyce Cohen - 1st Alternate Council Member - one-year term
Donre Sampson - 2nd Alternate Council Member - one-year term

Those members elected as Officers and 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 Utah 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.

UPGRADE AND SITE FIXES UPDATE

2009-07-11T05:56:00.000-07:00

We're catching up and have lost some older posts during our redesign and upgrade of the site.

We're trying to get the older missing posts back up as soon as possible.

Please hang in there and thanks for your understanding! Missing posts will be back as soon as we have time to get to them.

JUSTINE BATEMAN RESIGNS FROM SAG'S NATIONAL BOARD

2009-07-04T01:00:00.000-07:00

HERE'S BATEMAN'S RESIGNATION LETTER, DATED JULY 1, 2009.

To All,

I am resigning my position as SAG National Board member and withdrawing my bid for re-election effective immediately.

I initially ran for the Board 3 years ago to affect a change in three areas: the almost non-functioning web-site, the poor agent-relations, and the seeming absence of jurisdictional lines between SAG and AFTRA.

I am happy to have been able to effect the change in the web-site with the help of that committee, Doug Allan, and Pamela Greenwald, but the other goals have alluded me and have just become worse.

Agents are now not only owned in part by organizations that would create conflict of interest, but acting as the production company themselves and nobody saw fit to stop that. Now, though, we’re very far on the other side of that and I suppose actors have not really given thought to to the concept of being represented by an advocate with no conflicting alliances.

AFTRA has just basically, after years of trying to get SAG’s attention by lighting the newspapers on the porch on fire, have finally succeeded in partially burning the place down. And all we dual-card members be damned.

We should have bought that scumbag organization years ago and shut that duplicitous leadership upinstead of submitting to this “non-disparagement agreement” by which I am, happily, no longer bound.

And our own SAG leadership gagging Alan Rosenberg and Connie Stevens? What is this? Communist China or tumultuous Iran? I can’t a part of a union leadership that strips it’s elected leadership of its voice. If we can’t speak up about injustices in union matters, how are we being effective at all in office? No, better to not be a part of it and to be able to speak freely against what I see as irresponsibility, fear, greed, and ego-driven decision-making.

And then there is the membership itself. They rarely expressed the correct anger at AFTRA low-balling contracts over the years that affected their ability to provide for themselves. They then ignored, seemingly, ALL the news about the migration from Old Media to New Media and recently took from the AMPTP the worst deal I have ever seen. For nothing.

This is not the make up of membership that could have gotten us Health and Pension or Residuals like our older members struck and fought for years ago. We have all enjoyed those benefits, but when it was our turn to protect them, we blew it. AFTRA blew it. And then we blew it by not expressing absolute outrage over their tactic of GREATLY encouraging their newscasters and weathermen to vote up that AFTRA TV/Theatrical contract “even if you do not work this contract and never will”. Yeah, that was in an e-mail that went around. Some of these weathermen even made YouTube videos celebrating their vote, thumbing their noses at us. CLASSY.

SAG’s members themselves have now voted up a contract that will cause about 50% of the WORKING members to leave the business, but now that you’re all “back to work” you’re probably too busy to read this. Congratulations.

Thank you for allowing me to serve and to represent the membership. I hope I honored the sacrifices of past Board Members who created such wonderful benefits for me and my family like Pension & Health, Basic Minimums, and Residuals. To those members I am truly, truly grateful. Words cannot express my appreciation of your sacrifices for future generations of actors.

Thank You,
Justine Bateman

SAG MEMBERS OVERWHELMINGLY RATIFY TV/THEATRICAL CONTRACTS

2009-06-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

NEWS: SAG PRESS RELEASE
Los Angeles, (June 9, 2009) – Screen Actors Guild announced today that members have voted overwhelmingly to approve its TV/Theatrical contracts by a vote of 78 percent to 22 percent.

The two-year successor agreement covers film and digital television programs, motion pictures and new media productions. The pact becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. June 10, 2009 and expires June 30, 2011.

The contracts provide more than $105 million in wages, increased pension contributions, and other gains and establishes a template for SAG coverage of new media formats.

Approximately 110,000 SAG members received ballots of which 35.26 percent returned them – a return that is above average compared with typical referenda on Screen Actors Guild contracts. Integrity Voting Systems of Everett, WA, provided election services and tonight certified the final vote tally upon completion of the tabulation.

The vote count in the Hollywood Division was 70.70 percent to 29.30 percent in favor. In the New York Division, the vote count was 85.74 percent to 14.26 percent in favor. And in the Regional Branch Division, the vote count was 89.06 percent to 10.94 percent in favor.

Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg said, "The membership has spoken and has decided to work under the terms of this contract that many of us, who have been involved in these negotiations from the beginning, believe to be devastatingly unsatisfactory. Tomorrow morning I will be contacting the elected leadership of the other talent unions with the hope of beginning a series of pre-negotiation summit meetings in preparation for 2011. I call upon all SAG members to begin to ready themselves for the battle ahead,” Rosenberg added.

Screen Actors Guild Interim National Executive Director David White said, “This decisive vote gets our members back to work with immediate pay raises and puts SAG in a strong position for the future. Preparation for the next round of negotiations begins now. Our members can expect more positive changes in the coming months as we organize new work opportunities, repair and reinvigorate our relationships with our sister unions and industry partners, and continue to improve the Guild’s operations.”

Screen Actors Guild Chief Negotiator John McGuire said, "I want to thank the SAG members and staff who dedicated their time to the negotiations process. We emerged with a solid deal that the members have now voted up. The negotiating team worked tirelessly, building on the work of the first negotiating committee, to deliver these improvements to members.”

Screen Actors Guild began talks with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on April 15, 2008. Guild Chief Negotiator John McGuire, Interim National Executive Director David White, and Deputy National Executive Director for Contracts Ray Rodriguez, working with a 10-person negotiating task force comprised of Screen Actors Guild board members and officers representing the three divisions, reached the tentative agreement on April 16, 2009 after 12 months of periodic negotiations with the motion picture studios and television networks.

For further information on the new contract, including the full text and a summary of the agreement, click here.

ACTORS RESPOND TO CONTRACT RATIFICATION

Tony Shalhoub, actor
“This is a great decision for SAG and I’m so appreciative of everything the new leadership is doing to put the Guild back on track. They’ve obviously got the right ideas for making SAG stronger.”

Stephen Collins, actor
"This contract passed because members knew it was time to take advantage of the gains our negotiators won and get back to work. On top of that, they understood that risking our ability to negotiate alongside AFTRA and the other unions in the 2011 negotiations would have been a huge mistake. It's a great day for SAG."

Sam Freed, actor, 2nd National Vice President
“This decision by the membership marks the end of a very long process. We can now move forward with a new sense of certainty.”

Sue-Anne Morrow, actor, National Board Member representing New York
"This is a good deal with good gains. SAG's members clearly agree. It's about time we got a raise. I'm so pleased that SAG's members exercised their right to be heard and said 'Yes!'."

Mike Hodge, actor, National Board Member representing New York
“I am extremely pleased that we have finally come to the close of a long, unproductive period. I am hopeful that we can heal our wounds and really start the work to become a unified, national union.”

Nancy Duerr, actor, National Board Member representing SAG Florida Branch
"This is a victory for SAG performers across our region. Stalled and delayed productions can now get underway, boosting our local economies. This contract not only puts more money in members' pockets, it preserves the high standards of working conditions our members have come to expect."

Todd Hissong, actor, Chicago Branch President, National Board Member
"By passing this referendum, Chicago members have sent a clear message that we want to get back to work. Screen Actors Guild members across the country have yet again demonstrated our grasp of the issues, the importance of unionism, and our need to stand together with our sister unions to make deals that benefit us all.”

David Hartley-Margolin, Colorado actor, SAG 3rd Vice President
“The membership always has the last word when it comes to contract matters. They have spoken. Their endorsement of the deal with the AMPTP ends the uncertainty that has been hovering over us and allows Screen Actors Guild and the industry to move forward together.”

SAG REGIONAL BRANCH LEADERS MEET IN ATLANTA FOR ANNUAL BOARD MEETING

2009-06-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

NEWS: SAG PRESS RELEASE
Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker to Welcome SAG Leaders

Atlanta, GA (June 2, 2009) – The leadership of the Screen Actors Guild Regional Branch Division (RBD) will meet for their annual board meeting June 6-7 in Atlanta, Georgia. The RBD includes 20 Branches spanning from Boston to Hawaii. Nearly 24,000 Screen Actors Guild members who work in film and television live in the regional branches.

Georgia Branch SAG member and human rights activist Elizabeth Omilami will open the board meeting for the SAG RBD. Omilami is the daughter of Civil Rights activist Hosea Williams and CEO of the organization founded by her late father, Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.

Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker will present the welcome address. Baker is a candidate for governor in 2010. Among his many legal accomplishments since becoming attorney general in 1997, Baker has worked on local anti-piracy legislation and tax incentives for filming in the state.

The inaugural Howard Keel Award will be presented at the RBD board meeting, named for the legendary actor and former SAG President Howard Keel. The award is given to a person (or persons) who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of Screen Actors Guild and to the welfare and benefit of members in their Branch or the Regional Branch Division as part of a national union. This year, the RBD will honor Edith Ivey of the Georgia Branch and Fern Persons of the Chicago Branch.

About Howard Keel
Howard Keel burst onto the international scene in 1947 via his London theatrical performance as “Curly” in Oklahoma! Memorable film roles followed, including Annie Get Your Gun, Showboat, Kiss Me Kate and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Mr. Keel became SAG’s 10th National President (1958–59) and during his term the SAG National Board was increased from 39 to 52 seats, allowing for Branch representation - for the first time - from New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Detroit and Boston.

About the Honorees
Fern Persons (Chicago) became a member of the Screen Actors Guild almost as soon as the Branch was established in 1953, and served on the local Council for 44 years. Prior to the 1970’s, Branches outside of Hollywood and New York rotated service as a single shared Vice Presidency. Fern Persons led the fight to establish permanent, numbered Vice-President seats for members of the former Regional Branch Conference (now the RBD). The RBD as we know it exists in no small part due to the efforts of Fern Persons.

Edith Ivey (Georgia) has charmed audiences and bettered the lives of countless SAG members, devoting herself to enabling professional performers to live and work in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. A member since 1953, she served on numerous committees - Seniors, Agent Relations, Nominating Committees, etc. Her compassion and tenacious dedication to local members has been an incalculable asset, yet her greatest accomplishment was her co-founding of the Georgia “Casting About” program. Through “Casting About” local members were given the chance to meet face to face with casting directors from all over the Southeast, allowing members to showcase their talent as well as build productive relationships for the future. This “members only” event exposed hundreds of local actors to significant casting people in our area and led to numerous work opportunities for SAG members. Edith has been awarded the “SAG Georgia Life Achievement Award” for her efforts and is without question one of that Branch’s most beloved members.

SAG ANNOUNCES ONLINE STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY

2009-05-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

NEWS: SAG PRESS RELEASE

Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Sally Field and Tom Hanks Sign Statement of Support for a YES Vote on the Tentative TV/Theatrical Agreements

Los Angeles, (May 29, 2009) - Screen Actors Guild today announced the names of 500 members who are among the first to sign SAG’s new “Statement of Support” in securing ratification of the tentative TV/Theatrical agreements. The signers include Academy Award™ winners George Clooney, Sally Field and Tom Hanks.

SAG National Board Members including Adam Arkin, Amy Brenneman, Morgan Fairchild, Dulé Hill, Ken Howard and Kate Walsh signed the statement. Former SAG President Melissa Gilbert signed, as did SAG 2nd VP Sam Freed, SAG 3rd VP David Hartley Margolin, and other notable actors such as Alec Baldwin, Ed Begley Jr., Jane Curtin, Mike Farrell, Patricia Heaton, Kathy Joosten, Rob Lowe, Ian McShane and Sam Waterston.

The SAG “Statement of Support” reads:

“I support Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors and negotiators, and wholeheartedly recommend that SAG members VOTE YES on our tentative Television and Theatrical Contracts. The agreement provides important gains for members across the country, including a 6.5% increase in wages, additional union jobs for background actors in television programs and motion pictures, increases in major role performer payments, first time ever payments for programs streamed on the Internet and many other protections and provisions for new media. It’s time to put our industry back to work. I urge you to VOTE YES on this contract.”

The SAG.org website now features video testimonials and topical messages from Arkin, Brenneman, Hanks, Walsh and other members prominently displayed in a homepage video viewer. These videos can also be seen on SAG’s YouTube channel. Additional videos, including a message from Sally Field, will be added soon.

Initial signers of support include:
Amy Aquino
Adam Arkin
René Auberjonois
Dylan Baker
Kathy Baker
Alec Baldwin
David Alan Basche
Ed Begley Jr.
Alan Blumenfeld
Bruce Boxleitner
Amy Brenneman
L. Scott Caldwell
Gabrielle Carteris
George Clooney
Jack Coleman
Stephen Collins
Peter Coyote
Ellen Crawford
Ashley Crow
Michael Cudlitz
Steven Culp
Jane Curtin
Tim DeKay
Stacy Edwards
Morgan Fairchild
Mike Farrell
Sally Field
Kate Flannery
Kat Foster
Sam Freed
Kurt Fuller
Victor Garber
Lee Garlington
Jason George
Melissa Gilbert
Christopher Gorham
John Glover
Arye Gross
Annabelle Gurwitch
Tom Hanks
Mariette Hartley
Patricia Heaton
Dulé Hill
Judith Hoag
Ken Howard
Brian Howe
Gregory Itzin
Kathryn Joosten
James LeGros
Rob Lowe
John Carroll Lynch
Wendie Malick
Camryn Manheim
David Hartley Margolin
Ian McShane
Kathleen Noone
Mitch Pileggi
Robert Pine
Jason Priestley
Jeremy Ratchford
Pamela Reed
Mitch Ryan
Chris Sarandon
Rafael Sbarge
David Shatraw
Bill Smitrovich
Stacey Travis
Ned Vaughn
Marcia Wallace
Kate Walsh
Sam Waterston
Mykelti Williamson

SAG: "Don't be tricked into voting against the TV/Theatrical Contract"

2009-05-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

PRESS RELEASE FROM THE FROM THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD:
Don't be Tricked into Voting Against the TV/Theatrical Contract

Some members are trying to take our union down and continue to circulate misinformation about our tentative agreement.

Don’t be fooled into voting down a good deal, with real gains for actors.The opponents would like you to believe they have a "plan" if this agreement is voted down. They've never actually said what that plan is, and for the last year, their plan failed miserably. You lost jobs, wages and maybe even your health coverage.· After a year of negotiations and 11 months of working without a contract, we finally have a good deal.· After losing wage increases of $85 million over the last year, actors and their families need this deal now.· We need the pay raises, added residuals, better benefits, and protections for the future offered by this contract.WE have a plan – to approve this contract, get our raises, rebuild our union, and restore union pride.

Just ask yourself if it’s smart to say no to a deal with real, solid financial gains for SAG actors. After a year working without a contract… is that really smart?

A YES vote is the smart vote.

So, when you see negative attacks launched by the opponents of this deal, ask them: What’s the alternative? They won’t give an answer, because they don’t have one.

Click www.sag.org/sag-tv to see what working SAG actors think on SAG TV: “What's the Alternative?”Vote YES today and mail your ballot.Go to www.sag.org for the facts. SAG’s National Board majority knows what the alternative to a YES vote means. And they want you to know, too.For more detailed information regarding the TV/Theatrical tentative agreements, visit the Contract Center on the SAG website at www.sag.org or email your questions or comments to Contract2009@sag.org.

SAG/AFTRA OVERWHELMINGLY RATIFY NEW TV/RADIO COMMERCIALS CONTRACTS

2009-05-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

NEWS--SAG PRESS RELEASE

Los Angeles (May 21, 2009) —In nationwide voting completed today, members of the Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have overwhelmingly approved new three-year successor agreements to the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Television Commercials Contract and the2006 AFTRA Television and Radio Commercials Contracts .

The memberships of AFTRA and SAG voted 93.84% percent in favor of the new agreements. Approximately 132,000 members of the unions received ballots, of which 28% percent returned them. The final vote was certified today by Integrity Voting Systems, an impartial election service based in Everett, Washington.

The new agreements cover performers working in commercials made for and reused on television, radio, the Internet, and new media. The unions estimate that the three-year increase, which is retroactively effective to April 1, will generate more than $108 million in member earnings, including approximately $24 million in increased contributions to the SAG Pension & Health and AFTRA Health & Retirement plans. The total combined value of the AFTRA and SAG contracts is projected at more than $3 billion over the three-year term of the agreement for working performers, including actors, singers, dancers, choreographers, stunt persons, and extras.

The unions also successfully established a first-ever payment structure in commercials for the Internet and new media. The unions affirmed their jurisdiction over commercial work made for the Internet in 2000, and new media formats in 2006. The new payment structure goes into effect in the third year of the contract.

Additionally, the new contracts contain an agreement outlining terms for a pilot study to test the Gross Rating Points (GRP) model of restructuring compensation to principle performers, as proposed by Booz & Co. The two-year pilot study will be conducted by a jointly retained consultant engaged by the unions and the industry. The study is expected to be paid for by grants from Screen Actors Guild-Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund (IACF) and the AFTRA-Industry Cooperative Fund (AICF).

“I am pleased that SAG and AFTRA were able to work together to reach an agreement that will benefit actors who work in the advertising industry,” said SAG National President Alan Rosenberg.

Praising the successful ratification, AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon observed, “I am pleased that our members have ratified these new television and radio commercials contracts. These new agreements provide significant increases in payments to working performers now—a major achievement in a severely depressed global economy—and the contracts will guarantee our continued participation in this important area of work as it evolves in response to consumer tastes and trends affected by the changing landscape of digital technology.”

“We have enormous power when we negotiate jointly and it put us in a great position from day one,” added Sue-Anne Morrow, Screen Actors Guild’s national chair of the SAG-AFTRA Joint Commercials Negotiating Committee. “Achieving a minimum for ads made for the Internet and new media was a huge win. It was time to insist that actors be paid fairly for their exposure in these developing areas and members clearly approved through their overwhelming votes to ratify.”

The pact with the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies goes into effect retroactively to April 1, 2009, and will remain in force until March 31, 2012.

SAG and AFTRA members voted on the tentative agreement that had been reached with the advertising industry on March 31 and overwhelmingly recommended by the SAG-AFTRA Joint Board in a meeting on April 18. Ballots were mailed April 30 to all eligible members in good standing of either union.

ED ASNER CALLS FOR CREATION OF NEW ACTORS UNION IN HOLLYWOOD

2009-05-20T14:09:00.000-07:00

MEMBERSHIP FIRST'S ED ASNER SPOKE AT A RALLY IN GRIFFITH PARK IN LA ON MAY 17 AND CALLED FOR MEMBERSHIP FIRST TO CONSIDER BREAKING AWAY FROM SAG AND CREATING A NEW ACTORS UNION IF THE TV/THEATRICAL CONTRACT IS RATIFIED BY MEMBERS.

"PIGMIES OF THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD" IS HOW ED ASNER, A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD, DEFINED THOUSANDS OF WORKING ACTORS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

THE FORMER SAG PRESIDENT SAYS "HE HAS NO BIG SOLUTIONS" BUT URGES MEMEBERSHIP FIRST PARTISANS TO CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE TV/THEATRICAL CONTRACT.

Below is the entire explosively divisive speech made by former SAG President Ed Asner at Membership First's "Vote No Rally" in Griffith Park on May 17, 2009.

ED ASNER (into bullhorn): "Does this work? I wish I was. (Laughter). Uhhh…I understand that, what is it, on the 21st? Uh..Mr.—Mr. White, is going to deliver a (Off: "Hang the white guy!")…deliver a…(Off: "Traitor!")…a considered opinion as to why we should okay this contract. And, ah, I gather you'll all be there to help him explain (Off: "Oh yeah!") and to delineate and—uh—show people how we'll benefit in future years from this great contract.

I am merely here to add to all the other good people that talked to you today,and to say that it is the beginning of the end if we sign this contract. It may well be the "end of the end", I don't know. There's a Churchill-ian phrase for that (Off, female voice says something in Italian). What she say? (Off: malevoice "We just gotta defeat it!") Oh! Well! Defeat it! Yes!

But we are surrounded by the pigmies of the entertainment world. We're surrounded by New York, and its little people branches and it—it's an enormous uphill fight that we have to fight, to win this battle.

WE –control –and inspire the working actors in this business. We are Hollywood. Hollywood is the heart and soul of this business (applause). And I really don't have—you've heard me speak many times in the past—I don't have any big solutions or hopes, or resolutions, but I call upon you here today, that if they defeat us in this contract, that it is up to all of us—all of us—to go out and create a new union to believe in. Because these other bastards will have betrayed us. We will have to fight for what WE want, for ourselves, our children, and the future and dignity of screen-actors in Hollywood.

You are Hollywood. Don't let them betray the principals by which our union has existed. It began in Hollywood, and prospered in Hollywood and the moguls respected it. Now these moguls are dirty, shorted—tramps. They do not believe in anything in concerning—they certainly never held down a job. Other than being a mogul. It is up to us to restore the dignity that the former moguls allowed; the Lew Wassermans in this town. It's up to us to find those people to control and not let science run away with the Igers and the, uh, Peter Chernins and the ,uh, Les Moonves, and the Sumner---what ever the hell his name is---Redstone! What a strange name for a Jewish man! (Laughter).

We have to fight them here and now. We have to re-create Hollywood, if necessary, if National SAG betrays us with this contract.Remember that. Think about it. Think about how to do that. I thank you for letting me speak." (Applause).

end transcription

SAG TOWNHALL MEETINGS IN HOLLYWOOD AND NEW YORK: VOTE "YES" ON THE TV/THEATRICAL CONTRACT

2009-05-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

SAG NEWS: A Letter from David White:

As you know, the Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors voted April 19, 2009, to approve and recommend to members, new, two-year successor agreements to the 2005 Producer-Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic Agreement and 2005 Screen Actors Guild Television Agreement.

Ballots will be mailed to all eligible members on May 19, 2009. Ballots must be mailed in the return envelope provided and received at the Everett, WA, post office box no later than 5:00 p.m. (PDT) June 9, 2009. Ballots received after this deadline, or at a location other than the post office box, will not be counted.

We are holding member informational meetings so that you can hear about the tentative agreement and ask questions. Member informational meetings are scheduled for Hollywood and New York as follows and will be announced for Branch locations next week.

HOLLYWOOD

Thursday, May 21, 2009

7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Renaissance Hollywood Hotel

Hollywood Ballroom

1755 N. Highland Ave.

Hollywood, CA 90028

PARKING: No-host self parking at Hollywood & Highland – validation available at the Hollywood & Highland complex: $2 for 4 hours when you are validated in any shop, restaurant or theatre that is part of the mall. Guild not responsible for illegally parked vehicles.

NEW YORK

Monday, June 1, 2009

6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Directors Guild of America

110 West 57th Street (between 6th & 7th Aves.) New York, New York

Unfortunately, no guests will be allowed. Parents/guardians of younger performers under 18 years-old are welcome. PLEASE BRING YOUR SAG MEMBERSHIP CARD FOR ADMITTANCE (paid thru April 30, 2009). For more information call the National TV/Theatrical Contracts Hotline (323) 549-6665 or email contract2009@sag.org.

Member informational meetings are also planned for Branch locations across the country. More information on Branch member informational meetings will be available shortly.

Please plan to attend the member informational meeting in your area to get important facts regarding the tentative agreement. Screen Actors Guild negotiators, national board members and staff experts will be on hand to provide a thorough overview of the tentative agreement.

You can also find more information on the upcoming referendum, including details of the tentative agreement, by visiting the TV/Theatrical Contracts Center at www.sag.org or by emailing contract2009@sag.org.

We know how important this contract is to all Screen Actors Guild members. We urge you to stay informed by visiting www.sag.org often, attending the member informational meeting in your area and contacting us with questions and comments.

Watch for your ballot which is mailing May 19, 2009, and when you receive it, vote yes and return your ballot right away. Don't delay, ballots must be received by June 9.

In unity,

David P. White

Interim National Executive Director

John T. McGuire

Chief Negotiator

Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors Strongly Recommends your “Yes” Vote on this contract. Let’s get back to work with a raise.

SAG NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES TENTATIVE TV/THEATRICAL CONTRACTS AND RECOMMENDS RATIFICATION

2009-04-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

SAG'S PRESS RELEASE:
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVES TENTATIVE TELEVISION AND MOTION PICTURE CONTRACTS AND RECOMMENDS RATIFICATION Los Angeles (April 19, 2009)

– The Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors today voted 53.38 percent to 46.62 percent to approve and recommend to members, new, two-year successor agreements to the 2005 Producer-Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic Agreement and 2005 Screen Actors Guild Television Agreement.

The proposed agreement, covering actors in motion pictures and television delivers 3.5% effective annual increases comprised of a 3% wage increase and a .5% pension and health contribution increase upon ratification, and a 3.5% wage increase in year two.

The board passed the below motion shortly after 4:00 p.m. today: It was moved and seconded that the National Board directs the Interim National Executive Director to send the tentative agreement between the Producers represented by the AMPTP and the Screen Actors Guild for successor agreements to the 2005 Producer–Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic Agreement and the 2005 Screen Actors Guild Television Agreement to the membership for ratification, with a recommendation from the Board to vote ‘Yes.’Approved: 53.38% –46.62%

“I urge members to carefully review both the pros and cons in the referendum materials, and exercise their right to vote,” said Screen Actors Guild National President Alan Rosenberg. Interim National Executive Director David White said: “We are pleased that Screen Actors Guild members will soon be voting on a deal for television and motion pictures. We’re eager to get our members back to work and to focus now on the challenges ahead, particularly on initiating a comprehensive effort to thoughtfully plan for the future. Our negotiating committee, task force and professional staff have worked countless hours on this agreement over the last year. On behalf of the National Board, I thank them for their time, commitment and expertise.” Chief Negotiator John McGuire stated: “This tentative agreement delivers increased contributions to the SAG pension plan, increased minimums, a significant gain in background actor numbers from 50 to 55 over the term of the contract, and it tracks the new media provisions achieved by other entertainment industry unions. The term of the agreement puts SAG in sync with the other unions, and does not include the extended term recently proposed by the AMPTP.”

Provisions of the proposed deal include:
• A two-year term of agreement concluding June 30, 2011.
• Effective annual increases comprised of 3.0% in wage increases and .5% in pension contributions upon ratification, and a 3.5% wage increase one year following ratification.
• A new media structure that tracks those achieved by other industry unions, resulting in gains for actors including:o Jurisdiction on all derivative, made-for new media productions; automatic jurisdiction on all high-budget, original, made-for new media productions; plus jurisdiction on low budget original, new media productions that employee at least 1 covered performer.o Residuals for exhibition of TV and Theatrical motion pictures on consumer pay platforms (Electronic Sell Through) at a greater percentage than those paid for DVD distribution.o Residuals for ad-supported streaming of feature films and television programs.o Residuals for derivative new media programs.
• Additional 5 covered background actors in feature films. From 50 to 53 covered background positions upon ratification of the contract, and from 53 to 55 covered background positions in year 2. Adds 1 covered background position in TV, from 19 to 20, upon ratification.• Increased compensation for guest star premium from 7.5% to 10%.
• Increased trailer money break from $2,500 to $3,000, or more per week.
• Increased overtime money break for three-day performers from $2,700 to $3,000.Ratification ballots will be mailed to eligible SAG members in early May, with an expected return date at the end of the month. Tabulation will occur immediately upon the conclusion of balloting.Bargaining for a successor agreement to the 2005 SAG TV/Theatrical Contract began on April 15, 2008.

SAG/AFTRA JOINT BOARD APPROVES COMMERCIALS CONTRACT AND RECOMMENDS RATIFICATION

2009-04-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

From the Screen Actor's Guild, 18 April, 2009

Dear Screen Actors Guild member:

We are pleased to inform you that the Joint National Board of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA today voted to approve and recommend a new Commercials Contract Agreement. Please see the following announcement for more information.

Meeting by videoconference plenary in Los Angeles and New York, the Joint SAG-AFTRA National Board today voted unanimously to approve and recommend to members, new three-year successor agreements to the 2006 AFTRA Television and Radio Commercials Contracts and the 2006 Screen Actors Guild Television Commercials Contract.

The proposed agreements, which cover performers working in commercials made for and reused on television, radio, the Internet, and new media, will net a three-year increase in payments to performers totaling an estimated $36 million, including approximately $21 million in increased contributions to the SAG Pension & Health and AFTRA Health & Retirement plans. The total combined value of the AFTRA and SAG contracts is projected at more than $2.9 billion for working performers, including actors, singers, dancers, choreographers, stunt persons, and extras.

Additionally, the new contracts contain an agreement in principle outlining terms for a pilot study for the purpose of testing the Gross Rating Points (GRP) model of restructuring compensation to performers as proposed by Booz & Co. The two-year study will be conducted by a jointly retained consultant engaged by the unions and the industry. The study will be paid for by grants from Screen Actors Guild-Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund (IACF) and the AFTRA-Industry Cooperative Fund (AICF).

The unions also successfully established a first-ever payment structure in commercials for the Internet and other new media platforms. The unions established jurisdiction over commercial work made for the Internet in 2000, and new media formats in 2006. The new payment structure goes into effect in the third year of the contract.

The referendum will be mailed to the members of both unions next week (dual SAG and AFTRA members will receive one ballot) with a return date in mid-May. Results will be announced at that time.

Following the vote, AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and AFTRA Chair of the Joint Negotiating Committee said: “Our new agreement is a major achievement in any economy, but it is especially crucial for union members working to make ends meet in today’s difficult marketplace. I applaud the vision and hard work of the joint committee who worked together to win increases both in performers’ minimum compensation and in employer contributions to our health and pension plans, and who successfully preserved Class A payments so critically important to our members around the country.”

Screen Actors Guild National President Alan Rosenberg said: “I am pleased and gratified to have achieved these gains and to approve this agreement for ratification. I congratulate all of the parties, and particularly the co-chairs, committee members and staff on the remarkable gains they achieved for actors across the country.”

“It’s a solid agreement with meaningful gains,” said Screen Actors Guild Chair of the Joint Negotiating Committee Sue-Anne Morrow. “There are significant improvements in compensation and benefits for union commercial actors and it gives the industry, including our members, a measure of financial certainty in an uncertain economy. It also guarantees advertisers continued access to the finest actors in the world on whose talent their brand success often rests. It’s a win for actors, a win for the industry, and a win for consumers.”

Screen Actors Guild Chief Negotiator John McGuire, a veteran of more than 10 separate commercials contracts negotiations said: “This is an agreement we can all be proud of and I look forward to ratification by the members of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA. I commend the negotiating committee chairs, co-chairs, and members, along with my colleagues Ray Rodriguez, Screen Actors Guild’s Deputy National Executive Director of Contracts, and Mathis Dunn, AFTRA’s Chief Negotiator.”

“This is a successful conclusion to a challenging negotiation, conducted during a difficult economic and technological time in the industry. As always, that success rests with the members of our joint committee, our staff and our counterparts at the Joint Policy Committee. Together, we served the interests of actors and the industry,” McGuire added.

AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director Mathis L. Dunn, Jr., who served as AFTRA Chief Negotiator, noted: “I commend all of our union members who participated in the many educational, informational, and wages and working conditions meetings leading up to these negotiations. They delivered a clear message to our joint negotiating committee on their priority issues. I am proud to say that we delivered on these priorities and much more. The agreement will enhance the careers of all working performers today, and protect future generations of union members as technology and consumer tastes shift in the radically changing world of new media.”

Highlights of the new agreement include:

Three-year agreement, term effective April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2012, upon ratification by members of both unions.
5.5% overall increase in wages and other compensation over the life of the contracts, including a 4.43% increase, effective April 1, 2009, in Class A, Wild Spot, and basic cable session and use fees.
For product moved over to the Internet or in New Media, compensation of 1.3 times the minimum session fee for 8 weeks of use and 3.5 times the minimum session fee for one year’s use.
For product made for the Internet or New Media, a new minimum rate structure of 1.3 times the minimum session fee for 8 weeks of use and 3.5 times the minimum session fee for one year’s use, effective in the third year of the contract.
0.5% increases in the employer contribution rate to the AFTRA H&R and SAG P&H plans, and a 0.2% increase in employer contributions to the SAG Industry Advancement Cooperative Fund and the AFTRA-Industry Cooperative Fund, bringing the total contribution rate to 15.5%. Effective in year three, the agreement provides for a cap on P&H and H&R contributions for services covered by the contracts to $1 million per performer, per contract, per year with anticipated net gains in P&H and H&R over the term of the contract.
Secured five new covered jobs for commercial extras, up from 40 to 45.
Established new exclusivity compensation for made-for cable only commercials.
Instituted, for the first time, a contract provision to pay extras a round-trip mileage fee of $8.
Increased foreign use payments under the Spanish Language section of the contract.
The across the board increase under the AFTRA Radio Commercials Contract is 5.35%, in addition to contributions to AFTRA H&R and the AICF.
All of the unions’ proposals regarding diversity issues were addressed in the negotiations.

AFTRA and SAG joint member education and informational meetings will be conducted around the nation to provide members with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the new agreements prior to voting.

Formal negotiations between the 26-member AFTRA/SAG Joint Negotiating Committee and the Joint Policy Committee (JPC) of the American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) began on February 23 and concluded on the morning of April 1 in New York City.

SAG/AMPTP REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ON TV/THEATRICAL CONTRACT--MEMBERSHIP FIRST VOWS TO FIGHT RATICFICATION

2009-04-17T19:30:00.000-07:00

Variety has reported on SAG and the AMPTP reaching a tentative agreement on the TV/Theatrical contract. This is the same contract that Membership First's Alan Rosenberg, along with SAG's previous National Exec Director Doug Allen, were unable to negotiate. Now that some progress has been made, Membership First, lead by Alan Rosenberg and Anne-Marie Johnson, have vowed to fight ratification.

Here's Variety's report on the issue:

SAG, AMPTP reach tentative deal
Guild's national board to review this Sunday
By VARIETY STAFF, VARIETY STAFF

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118002545.html?categoryid=1066&cs=1

SAG and the congloms have reached a tentative agreement on the
feature-primetime contract -- nearly 10 months after the previous deal
expired.
Both the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and
Television Producers made the announcement early Friday afternoon.

SAG's national board is expected to approve the terms of the pact at
its meeting this weekened -- triggering the mailing of ratification
ballots to its 120,000 members.

The deal comes following two months of back-channels talks between SAG
toppers and moguls such as Disney's Robert Iger and News Corp.'s Peter
Chernin. The last key points to be settled centered on SAG insisting
on an expiration date in June 2011 in order to stay in synch with the
WGA, DGA and AFTRA expirations.

The back-channel talks also focused on settling claims for force
majeure payments to actors from TV series that went dark during the
writers strike.

Deal comes three months after the moderate majority on SAG's board
ousted Doug Allen as SAG national exec director for allegedly botching
the negotiations. Allen was replaced by David White as interim
national exec director and by John McGuire as chief negotiator.

The hardline Memebership First faction, which lost its board majority
last fall, has vowed it will urge members to vote down the deal -- on
grounds that it falls short in on on multitude of areas, particularly
new media.

The AMPTP has contended that its offer -- first made last summer -- is
in line with those deals accepted by the other guilds last year and
remains generous amid the declining economy.

NATIONAL BOARD RESPONDS TO ROSENBERG'S LAWSUIT

2009-02-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

NATIONAL BOARD RESPONDS TO ROSENBERG'S FIRST SHOT FIRED IN HIS 'CIVIL WAR' WITH THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD. MEMBERSHIP FIRST LEADERS ALAN ROSENBERG, ANNE MARIE JOHNSON, KENT MCCORD AND DIANE LADD SUING THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD.

Statement from Members of the New
SAG National Board Majority

[Hollywood, CA] Tuesday, February 3rd, the National President of the Screen Actors Guild Alan Rosenberg, together with National 1st Vice President Anne Marie Johnson and SAG Hollywood National Board Members Kent McCord and Diane Ladd attempted to file a temporary restraining order (TRO) against their own Guild in order to halt the resumption of negotiations with the AMPTP. The order was denied by a Los Angeles County judge due to technicalities in its filing, but the group plans to re-file on Thursday, February 5th.

The affect of the TRO has been to chill the AMPTP and SAG’s return to the table, led by its duly-hired interim national executive director, David White, and 40+ year SAG staffer, John McGuire who has successfully negotiated over 30 contracts for the Guild. The return, after many months’ stalemate, was made possible by the hire of Mr.
White and by the assignment of Mr. McGuire to the task of completing the TV/Theatrical negotiations. Immediately upon hearing of the TRO, the AMPTP refused to re-enter the process.

As SAG national board members and as rank & file union members, we are stunned that any elected union official would take steps to halt contract negotiations of any kind. Such a brazen attack by nationally elected union leaders on the very foundation of collective bargaining
- that of employers and workers meeting together to arrive at an agreement acceptable to both - is unprecedented in the history of the American Labor Movement.

Members from all three Divisions of the Guild have expressed their displeasure at today’s events. “This action is just one more irresponsible mis-step by the Hollywood Membership First faction,”
said New York’s Sam Freed, SAG 2nd National Vice President. “They are so desperate to hold onto their power that they are willing to burn down their own house.”

Former Hollywood National Board Director Tess Harper agrees: “These actions only hurt SAG. What our members need is a contract….now.”
SAG Chicago Branch President and National Board Director Todd Hissong concludes, “These individuals care more about winning fruitless political battles than advocating for the welfare of our members.”

We wish to assure our members that the new majority of the SAG National Board and National Staff will continue in our efforts to resume these negotiations as soon as possible so that we may deliver an equitable contract for your approval.

SAG'S CONTRACT TALKS DISTRUPTED BY LAWSUIT BY PRESIDENT ALAN ROSENBERG

2009-02-03T11:17:00.000-08:00

SAG'S CONTRACT TALKS WITH AMPTP DERAILED BY ROSENBERG, JOHNSON, MCCORD AND LADD. INTERIM NATIONAL DIRECTOR DAVID WHITE SENDS MEMO TO MEMBERS EXPLAINING.

Dear Screen Actors Guild member,

As you know, the Guild was scheduled to resume negotiations today regarding the expired TV/Theatrical contract. However, that meeting had to be postponed due to a legal matter that has been brought against the Guild, which is now before a state court in Los Angeles. I am writing to present you with information about this development.

Yesterday, the Guild received notice that President Alan Rosenberg, 1st Vice President Anne-Marie Johnson and National Board members Kent McCord and Diane Ladd filed a lawsuit against the Guild challenging the January 26, 2009 “written assent” presented by a majority of the National Board of Directors. As you know, that written assent terminated the Guild’s relationship with its then-National Executive Director; created and appointed a national task force to advise the Chief Negotiator and the Board on the TV/Theatrical negotiations; named John T. McGuire as Chief Negotiator; and named me as Interim National Executive Director. If successful, this legal action could impact or even reverse those board actions.

As a result, attorneys for Screen Actors Guild appeared this morning in Los Angeles Superior Court to respond to the lawsuit. After hearing from attorneys representing the plaintiffs, as well as the response from SAG counsel, the Court ruled that the lawsuit was procedurally defective and refused to issue the requested injunction.

The Plaintiffs’ counsel then stated that they intend to amend their documents and resubmit them this Thursday morning, February 5, 2009. The Guild will present a vigorous defense.The Guild understands the importance of concluding negotiations and securing a fair contract for SAG members and looks forward to re-engaging with the AMPTP as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Guild continues to work in the service of its members, with focus, dedication and commitment.

David White
Interim National Executive Director

ALAN ROSENBERG: "MY LIFE SUCKS"

2009-01-28T21:00:00.000-08:00

SAG NEWS:

SAG PREZ ROSENBERG IN AN INTERVIEW AT 'THE WRAP':

Read this interview at by Sharon Waxman at The Wrap http://www.thewrap.com/article/1138