SAG begins new year with civil war

According to Variety: SAG's moderate wing plans to replace the guild's negotiating committee -- and possibly fire national exec director Doug Allen -- in hopes of breaking the contract stalemate with the majors.

While much of the town's been shut down for the past two weeks, SAG's internal firefight over its divisive strike authorization vote has escalated. Allen and SAG president Alan Rosenberg have spurned calls to ditch the authorization vote but agreed Dec. 22 to delay it until after a Jan. 12-13 emergency meeting of the national board in order to present a united front to members.

But the moderates have grown increasingly frustrated by what they perceive as a lack of response from SAG toppers and are poised to begin moving to make SAG more pragmatic -- three months after gaining control of the 71-member board over the more aggressive Membership First faction, which still dominates the negotiating committee.

Ned Vaughn, spokesman for the moderate Unite for Strength faction, said he could not comment on specifics of steps to be taken at the meeting. "The board has a choice to make -- either go ahead with the strike authorization vote or move in a new direction," he told Daily Variety. New York board member Paul Christie said Allen may be on thin ice if he doesn't change his approach.

"His idea of re-establishing consensus to date has been 'getting you all to agree with me,' " Christie added. "He will go down in flames if that is his game plan for this meeting." But SAG First VP and negotiating committee member Anne-Marie Johnson told Daily Variety it would be "undemocratic" to call off the strike authorization vote and not allow SAG's 120,000 members to make the decision. Johnson also criticized Allen's critics. "To want to fire your lead negotiator, whose only fault is that he's trying to get the best possible contract he can get, baffles the mind," she added.

SAG's New York board, now in open rebellion from Allen and Rosenberg, first called for the cancellation of the strike authorization vote and the replacement of the negotiation committee on Dec. 12. A new negotiating team would probably attempt to restart negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, which made its final offer on June 30, the expiration date of SAG's master contract on features and primetime.

SAG, led by Allen and Rosenberg, held 46 negotiating sessions with the AMPTP since April but refuses to relent on key new-media issues. And Allen, who's starting his third year as SAG chief, has become a polarizing figure over how he's handled SAG's strategy on several fronts: 1) Efforts in 2007 to force AFTRA to reduce its participation in joint bargaining, which led to AFTRA splitting angrily from SAG and negotiating its own deal 2) An unsuccessful campaign to persuade dual SAG-AFTRA members to vote down the ratification of AFTRA's deal. 3) The inability to close SAG's deal with the AMPTP, even after a federal mediator joined the process in October. Two days of talks cratered after SAG deman congloms ded a hike in DVD residuals -- long a nonstarter for the 4) His latest assertion that while he's hoping a strike won't occur, it won't shut down the industry since work would continue on indie features with SAG waivers and on cable shows and commercials.

That declaration, made Tuesday in a message to members, was met with incredulity by Christie. "If you are constantly telling the members no way will I shoot the gun I am asking for, then why are you begging for bullets?" Christie added. "These emails are astounding in their similarity as if they will wear down the membership by their sheer volume. Honest fact is, if Doug 'no way' Allen really wanted a strike authorization, he should have, according to any knowledgeable labor negotiator, asked for it July 1st." Christie also accused Allen of stalling on negotiations until after the September elections in hopes that Membership First would retain control of the national board.

The AMPTP also blasted back at Allen on Tuesday. "Today's SAG statement suggesting that a SAG strike would not have a devastating impact on our industry, in the midst of the greatest economic turmoil since the Great Depression, simply defies reality," the AMPTP said. "The 100-day writers strike -- which resulted in the writers receiving the same terms that the DGA achieved without a strike -- cost our economy $2.5 billion. A SAG strike would cost the working families who depend on our industry even more -- at a time when everyone is already under extreme pressure by the unprecedented national economic crisis."

The moderates have rallied behind a Dec. 2 letter by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman contending that SAG needs to accept a deal along the lines of the final offer, which contains similar terms to those in pacts signed in 2008 by the WGA, DGA, AFTRA, IATSE and the casting directors. More than 1,800 members have come out against the authorization including Tom Hanks, George Clooney and Sally Field. Nearly 3,000 members have signed a solidarity statement supporting a "yes" vote, including Martin Sheen, Ed Asner and Mel Gibson.

SAG postponing Strike Authorization vote.

According to Variety, SAG's postponement of its strike authorization vote may signal that its leaders are tilting in a more moderate direction -- so much so that the divisive vote may be called off.

It's still unclear what direction the national board will take at its emergency meeting on Jan. 12-13, scheduled ostensibly by national exec director Doug Allen and president Alan Rosenberg to persuade the fractured 71-member panel to present a united front and convince members to vote up a strike authorization. But the timing of the Monday night announcement was telling. It came a few hours after Allen and Rosenberg met with leaders of the Unite for Strength faction, a group of Hollywood moderates who gained five board seats in the fall after campaigning on a platform that asserted that Rosenberg and his allies had bungled the contract negotiations strategy.

Unite for Strength spokesman Ned Vaughn told Daily Variety that he and his colleagues expressed concerns about going ahead with the vote, given the growing numbers of SAG members - particularly high-profile stars such as George Clooney and Tom Hanks - coming on the "no" side. "We felt that in light of what's been happening that it would have been reckless for the national board to proceed without having the chance to reconsider," Vaughn said. "We appreciate that they've taken our concerns seriously."

The victory by Unite for Strength wrested away control of the national board from the more assertive Membership First faction for the first time in three years and gave the moderates - comprised largely of New York and regional reps -- a narrow ruling margin . It's unclear whether the emergency board meeting will lead to the withdrawal of the authorization vote or replacing the SAG negotiating committee, which remains dominated by Membership First. Vaughn would not comment as to what steps the board might take but he expressed concern that scheduling the confab as a "face to face" meeting in Los Angeles on a Monday and Tuesday will make it more difficult for New York and regional branch members to attend. Similar concerns arose earlier this month when Rosenberg scheduled an emergency meeting for Dec. 19, but then called it off a few days later.

SAG's insisted it needs a strike authorization vote, which requires the approval of 75% of members who cast ballots, to force the congloms to improve their final offer and has spent the past year blasting the moguls and the deals they signed with the town's other unions,
particularly in new-media residuals and jurisdiction. The guild's also contended that signing the final offer will hasten the disappearance of residuals as TV programming migrates to the Web. But the majors have insisted that they won't change the terms of the deal and they've blasted SAG repeatedly for insisting it deserves better terms amid a full-blown recession.

SAG faces dissension from NY board

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A faction of the Screen Actors Guild on Friday called for the union to suspend an upcoming vote to authorize a strike amid stalled negotiations with Hollywood producers. The announcement represents a major split between the union's Hollywood leadership and a more moderate group based in New York. The group hopes its opposition will force the union to rethink the timing of its vote scheduled for January."Our members and our industry are struggling through the worst economic crisis in memory," the New York board said in a statement. "While issuing a strike authorization may have been a sensible strategy in October, we believe it is irresponsible to do so now.

"The New York division's 14 board members also called for the 71-member national board to hold an emergency meeting to appoint new negotiators to work with the American Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents the major studios."With a fresh team, the AMPTP will return to the table, and we can get a fair deal," the New York board wrote. "A deal that will not cost careers, homes, lives. We want our members to understand that while strikes are sometimes unavoidable, we will do everything in our power to avoid this one." 

SAG President Alan Rosenberg said he was surprised by the announcement because the group did not approach him first. He said he agreed to call an emergency meeting to discuss "this extraordinarily destructive and subversive action." He would not say when the meeting would be held or what effect the board's opposition may have on the scheduled vote. SAG plans to send strike authorization ballots to more than 100,000 union members on Jan. 2, a date that puts Oscar night within reach of a potential boycott. Votes will be counted on Jan. 23, ahead of the Feb. 22 Academy Awards, the most important date on the Hollywood awards calendar. Approval by 75 percent of voting members is required to pass the measure. 

If it is approved, the SAG national board can call a strike.Studios and the actors union have been negotiating a new deal since before the previous contract expired June 30.SAG wants union coverage for all Internet-only productions regardless of budget and residual payments for Internet productions replayed online, as well as continued actor protections during work stoppages. Directors, writers, stagehands and another actors union settled for lesser terms
and the studios said it was unreasonable for SAG to demand a better deal, especially now that the economy has worsened.AMPTP spokesman Jesse Hiestand declined to comment on the board's announcement. Meanwhile, the guild has been sending e-mails, fact sheets and Web video testimonials by famous actors urging members to vote yes on the strike. 

It said Mel Gibson, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Martin Sheen and other actors were among the first signers of SAG's "Statement of Support."The actors union, however, appears to be in transition. In guild elections in September, an upstart group called Unite For Strength broke up the majority control of the national board that had been held by Rosenberg's supporters. But the Unite group has not clarified its position on the strike vote.The guild plans a town hall meeting in New York on Monday and one in Hollywood on Dec. 17.

Petition against the SAG strike

Here is a non-partisan online petition seeking alternative solutions WITHOUT striking.  PLEASE take a moment to sign at
http://www.petitiononline.com/DealNow/petition.html
We CAN NOT afford another costly strike...

It's Official: SAG Wants Strike.

I just received the following email. I have only one word: unbelievable. After holding firm on deal points that AFTRA and all the other unions agreed upon, and after a federal mediator did not rule in favor of SAG, and in this horrific economy --SAG wants to strike.  But they don't want to put out ballots to vote for a strike until they have "educated " the membership. My greatest education was when I became a producer.  I spent 7 YEARS of my life working  to make a movie, promote the movie and find distribution. My biggest SAG actor worked a total of no more than 12 DAYS.  And yet if any check comes in, it's only the SAG actors who'd get paid. Don't get me wrong.  I'm a SAG actress, and I'd love to earn more money.  But I see the bigger picture. DISTRIBUTORS should be paying these upgrades, not the producers. That's where the money lies, and therein lies the problem. I can't imagine that with any amount of "education" this strike authorization will pass, but regardless, I wish that these officials would try their hand at producing and get a bit of an education as well. These are very scary times.  According to the Associated Press, the recent writer's strike cost the Los Angeles area economy an estimated $2.5 billion. 

November 22, 2008

Dear Screen Actors Guild Member,

The National TV/Theatrical Negotiating team was optimistic that federal mediation would help to move our negotiations forward, but despite the Guild's extraordinary efforts to reach agreement, the mediation was adjourned shortly before 1:00 a.m. today.

Management continues to insist on terms we cannot responsibly accept on behalf of our members. As previously authorized by the National Board of Directors, we will now launch a full-scale education campaign in support of a strike authorization referendum. We will further inform SAG members about the core, critical issues unique to actors that remain in dispute.

We have already made difficult decisions and sacrifices in an attempt to reach agreement. Now it's time for SAG members to stand united and empower the national negotiating committee to bargain with the strength of a possible work stoppage behind them.

We remain committed to avoiding a strike but now more than ever we cannot allow our employers to experiment with our careers. The WGA has already learned that the new media terms they agreed to with the AMPTP are not being honored. We cannot allow our employers to undermine the futures of SAG members and their families.

No timeline has been set for the mailing or return of the strike authorization ballots.

SAG Requests Mediation

Yesterday the Screen Actor's Guild National Board of Directors passed the following resolution at its quarterly plenary in Los Angeles: “In hopes of moving the Theatrical and TV negotiations forward, the National Board hereby takes the following actions: SAG will formally request a federal mediator be brought into the negotiations. The Board adds four new members to the National Negotiating Committee, two from the Hollywood Division, one from the New York Division and one from the Regional Branch Division. The Board authorizes a referendum and accompanying educational information be sent to the members requesting their authorization for the National Board to call a strike in the Theatrical and TV Contract, at such time as the Negotiating Committee determines in its sole discretion that the mediation process has failed.” Adopted: 96.72% to 3.28% Approval of the strike authorization would require 75 percent approval of members who vote.

Industry Strike Update

Here's a quick recap of last week in the film industry:  According to an email from the Screen Actor's Guild, SAG is moving forward to try to authorize a strike.  "The advisory motion recommends that the national board should send a strike authorization referendum to SAG members, support the passage of the strike authorization, and run a member education campaign in support of the measure." This email also speaks of "qualified" voters. I've heard rumors that SAG wants to no longer allow all dues paying members to vote, but rather allow only members who have earned a certain amount of money in the last year to be able to vote. I'm assuming this is only a rumor, as that would be absurd. I am also bothered by the "education campaign" since all prior literature thus far has been very one-sided. It doesn't seem like they realize that if producers have less money, then nobody works--including us SAG members.  On the other side of the coin, Variety reported good news. Hollywood Studios are moving forward in a leap of faith, with 40 new movies going into production at long last.  This would be a devastating blow for them if SAG actually did strike.  But in this awful economy, and presuming that more than 75% of SAG members do not want to strike, they feel that people need to go back to work.  

SAG / AMPTP Negotiations Update

Leaders of the Screen Actors Guild appeared to have selected an odd day -- when media stocks were in free-fall -- to urge the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to resume negotiations. In an open letter sent to the AMPTP and the news media on Monday and published as an ad in Tuesday's Daily Variety, SAG President Alan Rosenberg and National Executive Director Doug Allen proposed that the two sides focus on three issues, one involving "force majeure" protection and the two others involving new media. The letter warned, "If your intransigence continues, however, our choices become harder and fewer."

AMPTP President Nick Counter responded, essentially tossing the "intransigence" accusation back into SAG's lap, by stating "we do not believe that it would be productive to resume negotiations at this time given SAG's continued insistence on terms which the companies have repeatedly rejected." Courtesy IMDB

SAG Poll Results

Variety reports: "SAG members back guild."  AMPTP responds: "The questions were devised to give SAG negotiators only the answer they wanted to hear. The materials accompanying the postcard were hopelessly one-sided..."  Read full story.  

Although more than 87% of the 10,293 SAG members who responded in this poll said they'd like to receive better terms than those in the final offer by the AMPTP, the poll generated less than a 10% response from the total 103,630 dues-current members. Since 90% of members did not participate, and the poll was not anonymous, I find the results are in essence inconclusive.

SAG Poll Is Not a Secret Ballot

Okay, I just received my SAG postcard in the mail, and need to amend this post.  Based on the email I received this morning, I expected the postcard claimed our votes would be anonymous.  FYI: the postcard clearly states that there is a unique barcode associated with your postcard.  That being said, the content of the email is still relevant.  It states: the postcard "poll" you have recently received as a SAG member is NOT a secret ballot." Any vote will be recorded BY NAME and the list of who voted for and against the AMPTP contract proposal will be available to current SAG staff and leadership. For more detailed information go to: http://blog.sagwatch.net/SAG_poll, and for the latest news and member discussions on SAG contract negotiations, feel free to visit this nonpartisan site at:  http://blog.sagwatch.net

AMPTP / SAG Negotiations Update

The national negotiating committee met today for an update regarding informal meetings and discussions with the industry, and to discuss SAG’s options and next steps.

Expired Contract Still in Effect
The expired TV/Theatrical contract remains in effect. Actors should continue auditioning and accepting employment under the expired agreement. If you or your agent have any questions, please call the national contract department at (323) 549-6818. 

Signed SAG Guaranteed Completion Contracts (GCC) over 600
To date, 658 projects have been signed by non-AMPTP producers (AMPTP producers are not eligible to sign GCCs). The GCC agreements incorporate the terms of the current SAG theatrical agreement, and terms of any agreement reached by SAG and the AMPTP retroactively, thus allowing companies not affiliated with the AMPTP to begin motion pictures without the fear of interruption by a work stoppage. The total number of SAG covered feature films in 2007, not including ultra low budget and student films, was 1,296. Using that number as a baseline, over half the potential number of films this year have the green light to continue shooting to completion under SAG GCC agreements, no matter what happens in contract negotiations. Remember, these are not waivers, but actual contracts.

August 15 AMPTP Deadline
The AMPTP has stated that SAG must ratify the AMPTP’s June 30 proposal by August 15 for the deal to be retroactive, threatening not to agree to apply economic improvements in the new TV/Theatrical contract when the deal is done, retroactively to July 1, 2008.  

AMPTP Makes Direct Appeal To SAG Members

Story by IMDB: The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has placed an ad in yesterday's (Monday) Los Angeles Times quoting the leaders of the four major Hollywood unions who extolled the agreements that they had signed with the AMPTP earlier this year. The ad also notes that its final offer to SAG would result in $250 million in pay raises over three years, increases in minimum payments, pensions and health contributions, and the same terms for work in new media that were accepted by the other unions. But at a membership meeting on Saturday, SAG leaders bashed the previous agreements and insisted that they would hold out for better terms. Meanwhile, yesterday's L.A. Times, citing unnamed guild insiders, reported that at a board meeting scheduled for July 26, SAG leaders will likely decide to put the studios' offer to a membership vote -- either without an endorsement or with a recommendation that it be rejected.

No Deal from SAG

I just received an email from SAG saying they are not accepting the terms of the AMPTP contract.  "Your national negotiating committee has not accepted the June 30 offer put across the table by the Alliance of Motion Pictures and Television Producers (AMPTP.) For one reason and one reason only: It’s not a good offer. It doesn’t address enough of your priorities (as outlined in past SAG Contract 2008 Reports), particularly in new media..."

So what happens now?  With the Writer's strike earlier this year California has already lost billions of dollars in revenue.   Even though the SAG strike has not yet happened, its already affecting our industry, an my own life personally.  As the studios halt production, big DP's (like Matthew Libatique who shot IRON MAN and John Bailey who shot a ton of main stream films including THE BIG CHILL and AS GOOD AS IT GETS) and other studio crew people are reportedly taking smaller budgeted Independent films away from the littler fish.  Littler fish meaning... us.  What a year it's been for our industry.  And it's only July. I'm worried.

SAG Ponders Deal

Story by Home Media Magazine

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) leadership continued to mull over a contract proffered by The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) the evening of July 10.

The AMPTP’s final offer to SAG includes more than $250 million in additional compensation over the course of the three-year contract, as well as new-media terms. The current contract, which expired June 30, is still being recognized on an interim basis. Producers said they would make wage and salary increases outlined in their offer retroactive to July 1 if it is ratified by Aug. 15. Still, producers did not revise the DVD residual rate — a source of considerable consternation to SAG president Alan Rosenberg. The current DVD residual rate pays 3% for TV and 3.6% (movies) of the distributor’s gross receipts.  “We remain hopeful that SAG will accept our final offer,” the producers said in a statement.

AFTRA Approves New Contract

 According to ReelGrok.com: The American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA) ratified their primetime agreement, quashing SAG's efforts to have the contract voted down.

The AFTRA deal was passed by 62% of voting members and echo those signed by WGA and DGA. SAG had wanted this deal killed to gain leverage with producers. SAG feels actors should get better terms in new media, DVD residuals and salary minimums. AFTRA claims their contract keeps people employed and increases salaries without concessions.  In brief, primetime TV minimums increase by 3.5% 7/1/08 with an additional 3% on 7/1/09 and 3.5% on 7/1/10.

SAG agreed to meet with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) 7/10/08 to discuss the last and apparently final offer presented more than a week ago.

SAG Strike Update

Dear SAG Member:

Your national negotiating committee and the industry bargained throughout the weekend and are continuing bargaining yesterday. Nonetheless, the Screen Actors Guild Codified Basic and Television Agreements which cover television programs and motion pictures expired Monday June 30th, at midnight. All members should continue to report to work and to audition for new work past the expiration date until further notice from the Guild. Such work will be covered under the terms of the expired television and theatrical agreements.

Members are also reminded that the Commercials Contract, Basic Cable Live Action Agreement, Basic Cable Animation Agreement, Television Animation Agreement, Interactive Media Agreement, Internet Agreement, and Industrial & Educational Contract are unaffected by the status of these negotiations, and members should continue to audition and work under them as usual.   If you have questions, please email contract2008@sag.org.

AMPTP Suspends Negotiations with SAG

Los Angeles, May 6, 2008 -The AMPTP suspended negotiations with SAG today. SAG National President Alan Rosenberg said, "It is unfortunate and deeply troubling that the AMPTP would suspend our negotiations at this critical juncture. We have modified our proposals over the last three weeks in effort to bargain a fair contract for our members. We are committed to preserving rights that have been in place for decades and not giving the studios the right to use excerpts of our work in new media without our consent and negotiation. Our team is prepared to work around the clock for as long as it takes to get a fair deal. We want to keep the town working."

According to SAG, over the last four weeks SAG negotiated and modified many of its proposals to the AMPTP, while, the AMPTP has offered only a few modifications to its new media proposal which was submitted to SAG in three documents containing 36 provisions that differed from the deals agreed to with the WGA and DGA.

Also troubling to SAG, the AMPTP put forward a proposal in which management's clip demand would gut existing provisions regarding actors' consent to use of their clips and would allow studios and networks to use or sell clips - going forward and from their libraries - in any way they choose and without consent.

SAG's Chief Negotiator Doug Allen stated, "We were hopeful that we could continue negotiations and reach a tentative agreement. We modified our proposals in effort to narrow the gap between us and now we need the AMPTP do the same. SAG's objective is to keep the town working and get a fair contract, so we are gravely disappointed that we will now have to delay to a process that we started over three weeks ago. We are willing to work for as long as it takes to negotiate a good agreement for our members."

SAG Effects

Lots of people have been asking how the SAG strike will affect ODD BRODSKY.  I spoke with my SAG rep a few months ago, and he said I can probably get a waiver since we're an indie. Don't worry --It will all work out the way it's supposed too.

SAG Strike Coming

I actually thought it wasn't going to happen. But after reading the latest issue of "Screen Actor" magazine, I am now certain of it. I fear this town cannot survive another long strike. The WGA set the stage, and I feel so bad that they will be out of work again. Or maybe they won't! I guess they can keep writing and keep getting paid, as producers stockpile content for episodes that won't be produced for awhile. I'm not sure what the future looks like in terms of new media, but it's scary.

As both a Producer AND a SAG actor, I see both sides. But I'll tell you, SAG NEEDS to make these contracts MUCH easier to deal with. The terms and the sheer volume of paperwork and requirements to be a signatory are already hard enough for small independent projects! The idea of needing a SAG contract for something small I want to post on YouTube seems daunting. Yet, I know there must be a line, or we'll all be working for free, and our skills will have no value. I couldn't help but wonder when I saw the "I'm f*cking Matt Damon" viral video, (and it's "I'm f*cking Ben Aflick counterpart) --which was hysterical --what that meant for filmmakers. Stars have now taken over ALL media. Did they get paid for that? Was that covered by a SAG contract? If they are willing to work for free (and fun) then how can people who are not stars expect to make a living in this new age of democratic filmmaking?

On that note, please enjoy "F*cking Ben Afflick" (below) and remember that Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel are a couple...