Guild will host Dec. 3 discussion of technique and its impact on actors.
Civil War Rages at SAG
Civil war within SAG raged on Tuesday over a lawsuit that will be filed by hardliners in the guild seeking to reinstate Doug Allen.
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Outside the guild all Monday afternoon, pro-Rosenberg protesters demanded to be heard, vilifying those actors – including Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks and George Clooney -- who have called for an end to the seven-month stalemate and urged that the guild take the studo’s offered deal.
“They say, ‘Take this deal.’ Why? So they can continue to make tens, twenties, and hundreds of millions of dollars while the rank and file is struggling to pay their bills” said Scott Wilson, a member of the ousted negotiating committee. “This group of selfish stars…. they came from the rank and file, they were not born stars...” He said, “They should not sit back and say, ‘I’m going to preclude someone from being me.’”
Wilson joined a dozen supporters of guild national president Alan Rosenberg outside SAG’s headquarters on Monday who marched with signs calling for the reinstatement of ousted negotiator Doug Allen.
The protestors took aim at new SAG faction Unite for Strength, which used its slim majority of the national board to fire Allen by “written assent” last Monday and appointed former guild general counsel David White as interim negotiator and senior advisor John McGuire as chief negotiator.
Typical of the heated language surrounding the SAG split, Wilson called the United For Strength faction a “junta.”
“It’s just stunning to me that a group of board members primarily from other parts of the country who don’t basically work these contracts that were collectively bargaining…. are telling us the deals that we should take when it doesn’t impact them in the least,” he said adding that the UFS members did not consult the other 47% of SAG’s national board before submitting the written assent.
Last week Allen, the former national executive director of SAG, was ousted from his position in a coup by disgruntled board members who were angry at his strategy of pursuing a strike authorization vote.
In addition to seeking the reinstatement of Allen, the action also apparently seeks to disband a new task force that is set to meet with the studios, and it asks that the installation of David White as the interim national executive director of SAG be set aside.
It is not yet clear on what basis the legal action was taken. Allen was removed in "letters of assent" signed by a majority of the SAG board.
Ironically, when Rosenberg and his Membership First gained control of the guild in October 2005, one of his first acts was to fire then-CEO Greg Hessinger and three recently hired executives. Back then Rosenberg explained the move in a statement, “After much consideration and debate, the national board has decided to make a change in our staff leadership that will allow us to focus our resources more intensely in these areas."
So there was much speculation as to what basis Rosenberg and Johnson would use to claim the national board had not within its rights to fire Allen, a similar move. The union’s consitution seems to permit the move by the board; SAG’s consititution and bylaws states, “Except as provided otherwise in this Constitution, any acts shall be valid for all purposes with or without a meeting if approved by the written assent of a majority of the votes of the Board of Directors, or may be required by this Constitution.”
The guild has been working without a contract since it expired at the end of July 2008.
Comments
games1 Says
legal is a big word. the assent is legally sound.games
Izabella Says
What else do you expect from an obviously alcoholic union President? Continued denial. Hey Rosie, you lost the election. You lost the contract. You won't get enough votes for a strike. What are you still fighting for? Yourself? Sit down and live to fight another day. I'm seriously worried this guy is going to commit suicide - politically, metaphorically and literally! I just hope he doesn't drag the entire union down with him!
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Anonymous Says
I was at Jar Restaurant on Friday night (Feb. 13th) and Alan Rosenberg was there having wine/dinner/dessert at a prominent table with Anne Marie Johnson and Doug Allen. The were seated and drinking when I arrived and there after my dinner companions left...so was this dinner being billed to SAG do you think?
DavidHillberg Says
The contract speaks for it self.It is not good for the continued existance of actors now and in the future..
Anonymous Says
Mr. Actor, I appreciate the fact you think I'm a Membership First member but in fact I am an Independent. Both political & thinker.
You think I speak on behalf of Membership First? Oh how wrong you are. I have read the contract offered before us, went over both sides, weighed the pros and cons and in MY OWN opinion think we, the membership at large, will get butt f*****d if this gets passed.
Yes, I am quite fond of both Alan and Ann-Marie because they are down to earth people without self serving motives behind what they do and may I remind you they are YOUR elected officials as well. They didn't screw anything up by standing up for what WE ALL deserve including you. It's the AMPTP that's not budging on New Media concessions and wanting us to take an almost 99% cut in everything that we worked so hard to get in the past.
Past SAG Presidents, who are no longer with us, are probably rolling over in their graves over what has happened with their Guild that they fought so hard to build and maintain. That members would be so willing to give in or "go along to get along".
Yes, times are tough especially now. The AMPTP is using that angle to line their fat pockets with even more money that WE could all use and need. During the Great Depression, the movie industry was the most profitable because people still spent money, even though it was tough, to see a movie. During this Resession, the movie industry is STILL PROFITABLE because people will still spend money to see a movie but the AMPTP doesn't want anyone else to reap the benefits. It's just another example of Corporate America taking advantage of "the little guy" and guess what...YOUR THE LITTLE GUY, unless you're a producer/actor. I put producer first because a true, dedicated actor wouldn't be in bed with the AMPTP and support his fellow, middle class actors.
Well I've said enough.Time to get slammed by someone else who wants to "go along to get along.
Mr Actor Says
Hello ANONYMOUS, you talk big, loud and as if you are in love with Alan and AMJ but, you do not have enough pride to sign your name. Alan and AMJ may have the best of intentions but, so did George Bush. What they were after is fair and warranted. The problem is they screwed it all up and we are all going to pay the price. You sound like a membershipfirst member, if so stand up and be counted so the membership can vote you out in the next election. You think that you and who you are speaking for have the corner on HARDWORKING, CARING leadership well, let me remind you that your elected officials that have screwed this whole thing up. We have been woking with out a contract before this last power shift in the boardroom. The road we are traveling down now was laid by Alan and AMJ.
Anonymous Says
WOW!! Talk about lots of hatred here!
All I'm seeing is to fire Rosenberg & Johnson. Calling them idiots, morons and a**holes.
I want to ask you all a few questions; who here actually works on a TV/movie production as a principal? Do you have steady work everyday? Do you feel sometimes you're not getting paid what you're worth? Wish you had just a little more in your pocket?
Now on the other side; who here are backround actors? Are you the ones bitchin and moanin about not working? Calling others names? Wishing you could get onto a steady show? Wish you had a little more in your pocket? Here's a clue: there are thousands and thousands of backround out there who don't work now because of the numbers. Think the contract that's on the table's gonna help ya. Think again.
Well here's a wake up call. If it weren't for people like Rosenberg & Johnson, people who actually give a s**t about what you're earning now compared to what you WON'T be earning later if this contract is approved, this union would have gone under back in the Gilbert era. The only reason it didn't was because we, the membership, spoke up and did something about it and elected HARD WORKING, CARING leadership.
Now that it comes time to play hardball with the AMPTP, you just cower and hide like you're being skolded by mommy and daddy for talking back and mock and ridicule the ones figting for you and your livelihood. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
I fought hard on sets to get what was rightfully mine and others, with no thanks from others who benefited from my efforts, when production said it wasn't in the contract but it was and I won, not just for me but for all. I haven't had steady work in years because of my ballsy attitude and I refuse to back down when the AMPTP says "this is our last & offer". It's a bully attititude and I HATE BULLIES!!!
You can call me what you will. That's fine, they're only words and words can't hurt me. But taking a stand against leadership that only wants whats best for you and all the membership and supporting others with a "go along to get along" attitude does hurt. It hurts emotionally & financially and I will not stand for that.
If an authorization comes out, I WILL VOTE...YES!!! Just to take on the bullies and I hope and pray your eyes get opened before it's too late.
John Moschitta Jr Says
I have been a proud card carrying SAG (and AFTRA /AEA) member for nearly 30 years. Last Monday I attended the Hollywood Division Board meeting as a member/observer.
As is very often the case with non-profit boards, elections are popularity contests which often result in ...to put it politely ... well meaning people who are ill equipped to deal with complex matters at the helm. After sitting through the meeting it was quite apparent that was the case with the SAG Hollywood Board.
Point in case ...1st Vice Chairperson Kent Mc Cord. I was a first time observer and had no problem understanding the procedures for speaking and asking questions. Dozens of board members abided by those procedures and spoke prior to Mr McCord reaching the mike. When he did start to speak he appeared to be totally dazed and confused as to the protocol, stumbled through his statement making no sense and finally sat down. This is a man who has served in an executive position for YEARS ...this is a man who is one of four people to sign on to the lawsuit you talked about ...
When a person is incapable of understanding the concept of ...you get one minute to speak ... it makes it extremely difficult for me to have any confidence in their judgement or leadership on more complex issues.
I am of the opinion our battle with the producers was lost years ago the moment the merger was voted down. The final nail in the coffin was AFTRA negotiating on it's own. SAG urging AFTRA members to vote down the contract was SHAMEFUL and further eroded our strength. Mr Rosenberg has sent out many "finger pointing" emails but I think the time has come for him to admit his mistakes and tactical errors. The time has come to repair the damage and move forward as a united front....not file lawsuits.
There is no one faction responsible for the mess SAG is in today. In all good debates and disagreements there are always valid points on both sides. But now the time has come for solidarity and diplomacy not continued bickering and political maneuvering .... a time for civility not civil war. I fear the actions of the past have already weakened the position of actors beyond repair for this round of negotiations. The producers are popping champagne in celebration ...and we did it to ourselves. Hopefully we will all look past our differences, celebrate our common goals and all together again restore SAG to greatness so that we never find ourselves in this position again.
Anonymous Says
to vendora, keep working those nice aftra jobs and be happy paying dues and never ever getting a pension or health benefits. oh so wonderful, it is probably the first job you got in a very long time so you just couldn't wait to blog it here. foolish foolish you.
MR Actor Says
Every war has a winner and a looser. If Alan and AMJ win, the struggling actor looses. If Alan and AMJ loose, the struggling actor looses. In both scenarios the producer wins. All of our elected officials have weakened our Guild's image, solidarity and financial stability. This war is against the have and have/not's inside our Guild and outside of our Guild. The primary employer is the producer and they have successfuly infiltrated our Guild and are driving it into the ground.
Anonymous Says
The Civl War in the USA brought about the most needed and necessary changes in the United States today. Allan's "Civil War" will bring about the most needed and necessary changes and will benefit all actors and labor unions in the future.
Anonymous Says
oy vey...
someone said "fire the a-holes"
we tried...and look what they're doing now...
i'm all for trying to sue them (amj and rosenberg) for lost wages...
Vendora Says
Watching Rosenberg destroy the union=Priceless
Reading posts by his loyal soldiers=Frightening
Working on 2 AFTRA shows=Great!
Your President is suing your Union in
order to bring back Doug Allen=Double Priceless.
I hope you idiots do go on strike. Please, Please, Please go on strike!!
I can't Wait!
BWAHHAHAHWHAHWHARAHWHARAHHARWHAW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous Says
Crew father of eight....
production fled long beforte Alan was President. That would be the Producers who ran to other parts for profit...get your facts straight.
Write to the AMPTP sharks and let us bottom feeding fish alone.
Also....feel free to pull on a condom next time you and your little woman get together...there is also this thing called birth control pills.
Anonymous Says
Unfortunately there are no heroes here. Only Victims. The bottom line is that Rosenbaby needs to walk away and let clearer minds prevail. He is so wrapped up in his emotions that the plot now is to save his friend and not his members. This is a Blagojevich tactic and it didn't work for him. Let fresh minds deal with this and give it another angle. How long can you let a crying baby hold on to his blanket?
Anonymous Says
First off if you're a crew member it isn't going to be long before you're next on the hit list for sure, and if the guy with his eight kids thinks fighting for a fair share of the huge money out there on the net, and that actors taking unfair hits on previously negotiated benefits, then he indeed is the A H in his words. Yes times are tough, but look at the figs for entertainment in '08, they had a tremendous increasein business for movies and dvds, something they don't want us to share in with this contract. What is needed for them to listen is something I know I will never see, A WILDCAT WALKOUT OF ANYONE THAT HAS A CONTRACT WITH THE STUDIOS! Let them make the reality crap all they want and I tell you they will be at the table in less than a week. Oh I can see the commentary on this with all you psuedo intellectuals, well take the contract the studios and celebs want you to take and the term "struggling WORKING ACTOR" will apply.
Anonymous Says
Alan is a complete idiot and, quite obviously, is reacting the percieved insult to his integrity (limited as it is.) Obviously his feelings have been hurt as his actions resemble those of a spoiled child who did not get their way. Now he wants to screw everyone and drive our Guild into the ground. Way to go Allen. Now why dont you just grow up, recognize that you lost your little battle to save your pet Allen, and go away.
Anonymous Says
In response to Anonymous' response:
Now, if we vote down the ballot given to us then that is because we intelligently understand it to not be a bill of which is considerate to supporting the professional actor's living needs.
WHY GET TO THIS POINT AT ALL??? WASN'T A SIX MONTH COMMERCIAL STRIKE LONG ENOUGH FOR YOU?
So then, the employers would have to negotiate with us.
EXCUSE ME- CAN I HAVE SOME OF WHAT YOU'RE ON? NO, THEY DO NOT HAVE TO NEGOTIATE WITH US.
Otherwise, if they choose not to employ us, let them eat their own cake and frosting with it.
TRUST ME, THEY WILL. IT'S CALLED REALITY TELEVISION. AND IT'S NOT SHRINKING, IT'S GROWING. CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS.
They will get unprofessional and irresponsible elements into their productions which will cause their own projects to break up.
WANNA BET? THEY BUILD TV PROJECTS BASED ON TALENTLESS "REAL PEOPLE".
How long can reality television/internet production go on?
TALK TO ME IN TEN YEARS.
If so, those actors doing it will request professional income as well.
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, BROTHER? SOME OF THESE REALITY "STARS" MAKE MORE MONEY THAN YOU OR I WILL MAY HOPE TO SEE. THEY HAVE CAREERS. THEY HAVE AGENTS. THEY HAVE DEALS.
You need to get a grip with OUR reality. Here it is:
This country is in the greatest recession it has seen since the great depression. EVERY DAY in the news, companies are closing, downsizing or ASKING EMPLOYEES TO TAKE A 10% CUT IN SALARY. Hardball is a naive and foolish thing of the past. We need to make a deal NOW. And we need to see it like it IS, not like we WANT it to be. Grow up!!!
crew father of eight Says
Alan Rosenberg and Anne Marie Johnson are idiots. You both deserve what is coming to you, which will be handed to you by the voting members of this union, which by the way isn't only Hollywood actors, it is a national union, only Hollywood isn't working... the runaway production that has usually gone to Canada is now in Michagan, Louisana, Georgia, New Mexico, and now New York... thanks ALAN you MORON... thanks to you our town is virtually shut down, how long will it take to revive her? My childrren are going without while smug a**holes like you continue to stay too long at the buffet, you are a sick man, and your song sucked just as much as your sorry life.SAG WAKE UP>>>FIRE THESE A**HOLES!!!
Anonymous Says
Has anyone been listening, reading, and studying all the details of what SAG's purpose and history is all about?
Did you not receive all the information about all the details of what this is all about?
Can you understand what we are all involved in?
Do you want a career as a professional actor to continue?
Are you just pretending that you are an actor?
This is a business.
SAG was created to support our business.
Dirty business is not supposed to be part of our business.
There has been no strike.
There is no strike.
We have been continuing on the previous work contracts.
There is only a strike by vote of the membership.
Now, if we vote down the ballot given to us then that is because we intelligently understand it to not be a bill of which is considerate to supporting the professional actor's living needs.
So then, the employers would have to negotiate with us.
Otherwise, if they choose not to employ us, let them eat their own cake and frosting with it.
They will get unprofessional and irresponsible elements into their productions which will cause their own projects to break up.
How long can reality television/internet production go on?
If so, those actors doing it will request professional income as well.
And the route will be the same thing create a union which will protect the rights of the professional or new professional actor. It is a cycle that will come around to the producers again if they don't become responsive and responsible to it in the present.
Go ahead accept the employers program as long as it has some clauses open in it so we can protect ourselves then fine. But if it doesn't have particular clauses in it by which we can protect ourselves then we are in deep cow chips.
Conan McCarty Says
alan is the best weapon the producers have. AMJ is the second best.
Anonymous Says
What else do you expect from an obviously alcoholic union President? Continued denial. Hey Rosie, you lost the election. You lost the contract. You won't get enough votes for a strike. What are you still fighting for? Yourself? Sit down and live to fight another day. I'm seriously worried this guy is going to commit suicide - politically, metaphorically and literally! I just hope he doesn't drag the entire union down with him!
Anonymous Says
I think all the people put out of work while SAG makes a decision to strike or not..... I think the 160,000 people should get a class action suit against them for all the pain and suffereing and loss of wages!!! You do not hold the below the line crews hostage while you make up your mind if your gonna strike or NOT!!! Either do or get us back to work!!!!!!!!! IT HAS ALREADY BEEN 8 MONTHS PEOPLE!!!!!!!!
Anonymous Says
legal is a big word. the assent is legally sound. this is just another stall tactic. the negotiations will not be halted and rosenberg and amj will prove that they do not understand what Union means....
it means all under one roof...act as one...not act as we in Hollywood want you
it does not mean :we make more money than you do so you are just supposed to show up and picket...
what a bunch of idiots...
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