Doug Allen, the national executive director and chief negotiator for SAG, issued this statement tonight which seems to respond to my story Monday night, A-List Actors Pressure SAG To Start Talks:
"Our ongoing member outreach has included, and will continue to include, conversations with high profile television and movie actors as well as input from our member-driven wages and working conditions committee meetings. We are jointly conducting these wages and working conditions meetings with AFTRA. This process will conclude in the March. We will bargain with management at a time that will most benefit our members."
All Screen Actors Guild members have their card. On the back is the phone number of the Guild, and the SAG website. All the information members need is posted on the website, especially the highly publicized open W&W meetings (held since the beginning of February and continuing through this month), a process necessary in order to prepare for the 2008 TV/Theatrical negotiations.
Members can actually participate from within; they can make their opinions heard in a forum where action can be taken, instead of signing petitions or buying expensive ads that will line tomorrow’s birdcage.
Frances Fisher
Screen Actors Guild, National Board
Comment by Frances Fisher — February 14, 2008 @ 12:38 am
Wow, have you ever heard such a fierce denial?
I guess now we all know what the “A” in A-List stands for.
Comment by series regular — February 14, 2008 @ 12:53 am
To every action there is a reaction. Their PUBLIC action of urging SAG instead of the Corporations to deal fairly (They know who holds the power in this town!) creates my reaction of refusing to ever vote for them for any award. Since SAG is the biggest block of voters for an Oscar, I hope they enjoy the ones they have.
Comment by Discusted — February 14, 2008 @ 1:32 am
Nothing says “I love you” on Valentines day like an expensive ad in the press backed up by petitions of nervous union members afraid their leadership might be too quick with the strike trigger. Nobody wants another strike! So, save your money (even though some of you can afford this open-letter stuff) or better yet, shell out for a nice day spa–get your nails done, have a nice mud bath, say a few “Ohmmmmms” and give the process a chance. The processes are in place and it’s a little too early to be raising red flags. I say, “Ohmmmmmm.” Repeat after me.
Comment by Jeff Lyons — February 14, 2008 @ 9:06 am
I think this was a bad move on the part of thees so-called A-listers because they have basically undermined their union negotiators’ ability to get a good deal because the moguls now know the union will not get the support it needs for a strike. If they disagreed with their union leadership they should done so in private, not aired their dirty laundry in public. These A-listers have basically played into the hands of the moguls. Of course, what SAG is fighting for doesn’t really affect these so-called A-listers because they don’t survive on paltry amounts of money like the greater portion of SAG does. Very, very foolish on the part of these people.
Comment by Jimmy — February 15, 2008 @ 9:46 am
I never post comments on this site successfully. I agree that “Members can actually participate from within; they can make their opinions heard in a forum where action can be taken, instead of signing petitions or buying expensive ads that will line tomorrow’s birdcage.”
Comment by Lisa — February 18, 2008 @ 4:33 pm