ED ASNER CALLS FOR CREATION OF NEW ACTORS UNION IN HOLLYWOOD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

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

A MESSAGE FROM NEW NED DAVID WHITE

Dear Screen Actors Guild member,

As I enter my first full day today as your new Interim National Executive Director, I have reflected on a Los Angeles Examiner story from 1937 that once hung on the wall of my Screen Actors Guild office when I served as General Counsel.

The article chronicled the moment when the studios had finally recognized the Guild as the labor representative for actors in the motion picture industry. A grainy photograph captured members celebrating the news together, the joy in their faces richly evident. That moment, and the incredible work that it took Guild members to reach that moment, have served as the foundation for 75 years of history that has followed.

In my previous tenure at the Guild, I worked alongside several elected National Boards, two presidents (current President Rosenberg and former President Melissa Gilbert) and three National Executive Directors. My intention now, as Interim National Executive Director, will be to work with your current National Board to navigate through a period that is brimming with both challenges and opportunities – from completing our TV/Theatrical negotiations; to preparing for and securing a new Commercials contract as well as several other smaller but critically important labor agreements; to repairing relations with our sister unions; and addressing a polarized political system that is perceived by too many of our members as being close to broken. As we confront these efforts together, my overarching goal is this: to help restore your confidence that this is a union where strong and wise decisions are made despite political differences.

The greatest challenge facing this union is to find a way for democratic leadership to flourish – for disagreement and debate to build into unity and power. The Guild’s diversity of opinion should, and must, serve as a source of strength and solidarity. I believe in the Guild’s capacity for this. And that is why today I offer two messages to each and every member: First, I will be at the office each day to work with your talented staff and your National Board to achieve objectives that advance your interests as actors; and, second, it is time to turn the page on the most destructive aspects of the Guild’s internal politics.

In this swiftly changing environment, we will not be successful if we do not work together. This effort will take an entire union – all members, from background actors, to stunt performers, to voice over actors; those working in film television, commercials, industrials and video games; dancers and singers; middle-class actors, to high-profile ones, to struggling artists working each day to break through for their first chance. We must work together. Because if not, the well-known words that a previous leader offered to a once-divided collection of citizens will matter to us now: united we stand; divided we fall.

During this extraordinary period for both our union and country, I am again reminded of the achievement of the Guild’s founders as recounted in that 1937 Los Angeles Examiner story. Their achievement came as a result of a supreme effort by a group of committed performers willing to set aside their differences in pursuit of that shared purpose. The result: they built an organization whose membership card today remains the ultimate benchmark for professional performers. The triumph of the Guild’s founders cannot be overstated – nor can the sacrifice, wisdom and political maturity that was required to achieve it.

I enter this interim role with the grand history of the Screen Actors Guild rooted firmly in my mind. I did not seek this position, but I am honored to act as its temporary custodian. You have my pledge that I will direct all my energies to steadying this historic organization and ensuring its success. I thank the Guild’s National Board for the confidence and trust they have placed in me on your behalf. And I look forward to working together, in solidarity.

David White
Interim National Executive Director
Screen Actors Guild

MESSAGE FROM SAG'S NATIONAL BOARD REGARDING DOUG ALLEN FIRING

SAG'S NATIONAL BOARD BREAKS THROUGH CONTRACT NEGOTIATION STALEMATE--FIRES INEFFECTUAL NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DOUG ALLEN AND REPLACES HIM WITH INTERIM NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVID WHITE. NATIONAL BOARD WORKS TO GET CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ON TRACK.


SAG PRESS RELEASE
A Message to Members from the SAG National Board Majority

Today we took an important and necessary action to address the leadership crisis at Screen Actors Guild. Representatives from SAG’s National Board majority delivered a “written assent” document to SAG headquarters which authorized the following: Doug Allen is immediately replaced as National Executive Director by former SAG General Counsel David White, who will serve as interim NED; Guild Senior Advisor John T. McGuire is appointed as Chief Negotiator of all SAG contracts; the TV/Theatrical Contract Negotiating Committee is replaced by a Taskforce which will complete negotiations on behalf of the Board of Directors.

In a meeting two weeks ago, a majority of the board sought to make the crucial changes now contained in the written assent, but were derailed by President Alan Rosenberg and a minority of board members through endless parliamentary games and improper behavior. By filibustering for over 28 straight hours, they prevented the Board from ever taking a vote on the majority’s proposal.

This unprecedented level of obstruction has paralyzed the Guild.

Written assent is included in SAG’s constitution to allow a majority of the Board to take action outside the boardroom if necessary. While extraordinary circumstances may require the use of written assent, we do not believe it is a desirable way to conduct Guild business. In this case, the unrelenting obstruction by a minority of board members has left us no alternative.

This action has the support of all but one of the National Board members from SAG’S New York and Regional Branch Divisions, and all in the Hollywood Division except those affiliated with the group Membership First. The signed written assent documents were delivered today to SAG headquarters in Los Angeles.

Upon implementation of the approved motion, Interim National Executive Director David White will assume control of all Guild operations and will coordinate with Chief Negotiator John McGuire to contact the AMPTP to undertake resolution of TV/Theatrical Contract negotiations, which ground to a halt nearly seven months ago. The leaner TV/Theatrical Taskforce will work alongside Mr. McGuire as the "eyes and ears of the board," providing input and support as contract negotiations are concluded.

Beyond the stalled TV/Theatrical negotiations, there is much work to be done and SAG members can rest assured that we have secured an exemplary leader in David White. A Rhodes Scholar, Mr. White has extensive industry experience and was SAG's General Counsel from 2002 to 2006. He knows the Guild and its contracts, and has the respect of our staff and the entertainment community. Our Chief Negotiator, John McGuire, is a 40-year SAG staff veteran who has negotiated over 30 contracts and is held in enormous esteem throughout the industry and the labor movement. We have complete confidence in his ability to deliver the best possible contracts for our members.

These much needed changes will allow SAG to chart a new course. We will work to secure a TV/Theatrical Contract that can be sent to members with a positive recommendation, and to effectively resolve all our outstanding contracts, including the Commercials Contract. We will also work to rebuild vital relationships in the entertainment and labor communities, and to reestablish Screen Actors Guild as a respected and powerful institution, protecting and defending performers nationwide.

SAG NATIONAL BOARD TO MEMBERS: SAG NEEDS A CHANGE OF COURSE AND A NEW CAPTAIN

NATIONAL SAG BOARD RESPONDS TO ROSENBERG'S FILLIBUSTER DURING MEETING HELD JANUARY 12 AND 13. NATIONAL BOARD STRUGGLES TO COMPLETE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS FACING MEMBERSHIP FIRST OPPOSITION.

PRESS RELEASE: A MESSAGE TO SAG MEMBERS FROM THE NATIONAL BOARD MAJORITY

Unite for Strength and Board Members from Hollywood, New York and the Regional Branches*As you’re undoubtedly aware, Screen Actors Guild is currently beset by a crippling leadership crisis. With the TV/Theatrical contract having expired nearly 7 months ago, negotiations at a standstill, and our negotiators’ strategy hinging on a strike authorization vote for which there is clearly insufficient support, we called for a special National Board meeting to consider a new approach.

At that meeting, held Jan.12-13, we attempted to postpone the strike authorization vote, replace Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Doug Allen and the negotiating committee, and direct a newly appointed negotiator to restart talks immediately.

Despite strong support for these steps from a clear majority of the National Board, President Alan Rosenberg and Mr. Allen’s other board supporters stood squarely in the way of our implementing them. For 28 hours straight, they used filibusters and other parliamentary games to run out the clock on the meeting and prevent a vote from ever taking place.

The next day Mr. Allen proposed a new plan to shelve the strike authorization, go back to the table to see if “producers would improve their offer” and then send out that offer for ratification with no board recommendation to members, only pro and con statements. It is noteworthy that when faced with a call for his removal, Mr. Allen suddenly saw fit to suspend the strike authorization that has been the cornerstone of his strategy, and indeed the topic of a 12-page promotional newsletter delivered to Hollywood members just days ago.

But unlike the plan we were obstructed from putting into place at the meeting, his is not a serious effort to get a better deal. SAG has never sent members a contract that our National Board didn’t recommend ratifying. We shouldn’t start now.

We firmly believe that SAG needs a change of course and a new captain. Mr. Allen has held fast to a failed strategy for over half a year, even as members have lost nearly $50 million from working under an expired contract. In addition, under Mr. Allen’s tenure, numerous other expired agreements have languished without renegotiation, SAG’s strategic relations with its sister union AFTRA have been badly undermined, and partisan tensions within the Guild have grown steadily worse.With new direction, we can turn this around and put Screen Actors Guild back on the right track.

We will work to quickly send members a TV/Theatrical contract that carries a positive recommendation from the National Board. We will also focus on successfully negotiating the Commercial agreement and other remaining contracts. We will rebuild vital relationships throughout the entertainment industry, and bring much needed stability back to the Guild.

We are now planning concrete steps to achieve this and will keep you updated as events warrant.*

In the interest of compliance with the AFTRA-SAG non-disparagement agreement under the AFL-CIO, Members of SAG’s National Board majority who are also AFTRA officers or board members wish to officially record themselves as abstaining from this statement.

SAG FIRES DOUG ALLEN, APPOINTS TASK FORCE TO COMPLETE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

Today (1/26/09), National Board of the Screen Actors Guild fired NED Doug Allen, dissolved the Negotiating Comittee and replaced it with a new task force. David White and John Mcguire replace Doug Allen.

More news here:

http://backstage.blogs.com/blogstage/2009/01/moderates-file-motion-to-fire-allen.html

INSIDE SAG'S BOARDROOM: HOW MEMBERSHIP FIRST CONDUCTS BUSINESS

SAG POLITICS REPORT FROM DIGITAL MEDIA LAW'S JONATHAN HANDEL. READ ABOUT PREZ ALAN ROSENBERG'S AND MEMBERSHIP FIRSTS BEHAVIOR IN THE BOARDROOM.

From his blog, Digital Media Law:

Sources from inside SAG’s marathon board meeting blasted Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg as a “corrupt and dirty chair,” asserting that he and his Membership First allies repeatedly abused parliamentary rules throughout the “surreal” 28-hour national board meeting earlier this week in order to suppress the SAG board’s moderate majority.



For more on this fascinating report, please visit: http://digitalmedialaw.blogspot.com/2009/01/inside-sag-boardroom.html

VARIETY REPORTS ON FRANCIS FISHER'S GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN TO 'PUNISH SAG ACTORS' WHO OPPOSE STRIKE

BREAKING NEWS:
VARIETY IS REPORTING ON MEMBERSHIP FIRST'S FRANCIS FISHER'S CALL FOR SAG MEMBERS TO "PUNISH" ACTORS NOMINATED FOR SAG AWARDS WHO OPPOSE STRIKE AUTHORIZATION:

Variety has reported on the Francis Fisher/Membership First "Boycott Campaign".

Here's the report: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117998313.html?categoryid=10&cs=1

MEMBERSHIP FIRST'S FRANCIS FISHER SUPPORTS ATTACKING ACTORS WHO ARE NOMINATED FOR SAG AWARDS WHO OPPOSE SAG STRIKE

BREAKING NEWS: FRANCIS FISHER URGES ATTACK ON THESPS NOMINATED FOR SAG AWARDS

It is becoming well known that there is a serious rift between actors who are members of the Screen Actors Guild. There are those, mainly behind the SAGs leaders Alan Rosenberg and Doug Allen, and the faction called Membership First who are calling for a strike authorization vote, and those that do not want to strike.For those that want a strike, like actress Francis Fisher, the battle for the voting hearts and minds of actors who will vote on the authorization has become vicious and politcal. Francis Fisher has now brought the battle to the SAG actors who are currently voting for the SAG Awards.This email (below) has been forwarded by Francis Fisher, urging other actors to "punish" those nominated for awards that have spoken out against a strike:

EMAIL FORWARDED BY MEMBERSHIP FIRST'S FRANCIS FISHER:

THESE LETTERS ARE FORWARDS;> IF YOU CHOOSE TO FORWARD THIS TO YOUR SAG COLLEAGUES, PLEASE REMOVE MY NAME AND ADDRESS FROM THE HEADER.>> ***************************> Dear Actor Friends,>>> I’d like you to look at this list of name actors:>> Alec Baldwin> Josh Brolin> Steve Carell> Sally Field> Michael C. Hall> Susan Sarandon> Tony Shalhoub> Kevin Spacey>> These eight and several more of our “high-profile” fellow Guild members have recently done two things:>> (A) They have advised us rank-and-file members to VOTE NO to giving our National> Board the authority to call a strike if the AMPTP refuses to improve its> insulting and contemptuous “last, best and FINAL” offer.>> (B) Now these arrogant elitists are trying to take away our right to even HAVE a> vote on this critical issue. They are telling the National Board to withdraw> the strike authorization referendum.>> This is the National Board which is now dominated by “Unite-for-Strength”> and USAN, their New York allies. U4S and USAN are the same faction which> these SAME STARS endorsed in the September board election.>> And this is the same U4S/USAN-dominated National Board which voted, in October,> (by 97% to 3%) to (1) call in a Federal Mediator, AND — if mediation FAILED –> (2) send out ballots to us — the membership — asking for the authority to> call a strike if the AMPTP continued to insult and demean us.>> And now, many of those same National Board members, with the support of a long> list of star actors and star actor/PRODUCERS, are ready to renege on their vote — their> promise! — to give us members a voice in these fateful negotiations about the> future of middle-class actors.>>> I’m feeling angry and I’m feeling powerless. And I’m ready to do something I wouldn’t have dreamed of until now.>> I’m ready to do something radical.>> I cannot claim the following idea as my own, but I am determined to act on it.>> This advice I’m pasting here was posted on the website USActorsOnScreen.com. I’m not> telling YOU what to do, only that I am going to follow the advice below and> use my vote for the S.A.G. “Actor” Awards to send a message.> ################################################################################>> Darling Actors,>> I’m just a fan. I’m especially a fan of character actors. (My heart belongs to Claude Rains. And Gale Sondergaard is one of my role models.)>> And I follow the labor scene. Lots of struggles on lots of fronts. Not just the Hollywood scene, though it’s especially juicy.>> BOYCOTTS can be an effective weapon in labor struggles. And my labor savvy tells me that YOU have a boycott weapon, in your hands, right now.>> It’s a ballot. Your awards ballot.>> Like every other self-respecting Hollywood institution, you put on an annual AWARDS show. And show-business handicappers love to read YOUR awards as OSCAR tea-leaves. (That’s why many of us tune in.)>> Well, the following actors have two things in common. ONE is that they are nominees for S.A.G. “ACTOR” honors.>> Thing TWO-in-common is this: These rich-and-famous nominees have all signed on to Danny DeVito’s famous open letter. The one where DeVito and his fellow stars tell YOU that YOU should vote against giving YOUR National Board the option of calling a strike, if, IF, the networks and studios keep treating you with contempt.>> Thing-TWO-in-common means this, at least to a watchful fan: These nominees seem to want their union to be weak and to capitulate to the moguls.>> And yet, THEIR UNION might give these union-underminers that prized statuette.>> Those DIS-loyal nominees are . . .>> JOSH BROLIN (”Milk”)>> KEVIN SPACEY (”Recount”)>> SUSAN SARANDON (”Bernard & Doris”)>> MICHAEL C. HALL (”Dexter”)>> SALLY FIELD (”Brothers and Sisters”)>> ALEC BALDWIN (”30 Rock”)>> STEVE CARELL (”The Office”)>> TONY SHALHOUB (”Monk”)>> If I were a regular, ordinary, not-rich-and-famous actor, and if I wanted my union to be strong so it could fight for me . . . would I want to give any of these rich-and-famous UNION-UNDERMINERS my vote? Would I want my union to give them such an honor — MY UNION’s ultimate stamp-of-approval?>> I would remember those names when I began to mark my ballot.>> Most of us in labor only get to vote for union officers, or for new contracts. YOU get to vote for actors who perform outstandingly, AND who (you hope) support the union that is honoring them.>> If the networks and studios beat you down, it will be a disheartening signal to other working folks across the country. Don’t let it happen. Use your strength. And use your awards vote.>> Vote for actors who are loyal to their union.>> In solidarity,>> A spiritual daughter of Jane Darwell>> January 7, 2009 7:19 PM