SAG Steps Toward Strike

Huffington Post, 10.20.08
by Jonathan Handel

"The SAG national board passed a resolution yesterday on what to do regarding contract negotiations with the studios. My take: Membership First outmaneuvered the newly-elected Unite for Strength faction and its NY and regional allies and is taking the union down a path that may well lead to a strike. I'm not optimistic.

The vote was almost 97% in favor, meaning that the resolution was a compromise between all concerned. Yet it gives MF much of what it wanted. The vote was taken right near the end of the meeting on Sunday (even though it was supposed to have been addressed Saturday), with Membership First knowing that the meeting had to end at 1:00 p.m. so that the NY and regional board members could catch their planes. (This weekend's meeting was conducted in person in LA.).." Full article

Thanks Peachybc!


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Associated Press, 10.19.08
SAG board votes to allow members to vote on strike

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A vote by the leaders of the Screen Actors Guild on Sunday has simultaneously ratcheted up negotiation efforts and the possibility of strike.

The guild's national board of directors voted to formally request a federal mediator for stalled contract talks with studios and, at the same time, agreed to ask members if they want to authorize a strike.

The resolution "authorizes a referendum and accompanying educational information be sent to the members requesting their authorization for the National Board to call a strike" if negotiations fail.

If 75 percent of SAG's 120,000 members vote in favor of a labor action, it would then be left to the national negotiating committee to call the strike if it deems it necessary.

"We hope mediation will help move this process forward. This action by the board demonstrates our commitment to bargain with the strength of our unified membership behind us," said Screen Actors Guild National President Alan Rosenberg in a statement.

SAG's chief negotiator Doug Allen said the union's goal remains securing a good contract without a strike.Full article

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