SAG VP Anne-Marie Sends Dire Situation Letter On AFTRA:
[Posted at Hollywood Actor Prep on March 8, 2010]
Dear Hollywood Division Members:I wish I had positive and encouraging news to share with Hollywood SAG members, but I don’t. Seventy-nine pilots. Seventy-nine scripted dramatic programming pilots.
Seventy-nine work opportunities for which our members
could possibly work, earning pension credits and qualifying for the ever elusive health coverage.Unfortunately Screen Actors Guild has missed out on
all of those opportunities. Take a look at Variety’s article of February 9, “AFTRA the Deal of Choice,” written by Dave McNary. (Article posted below.)“Deal” being the operative word. Although according to our SAG jurisdiction mandated by our 4A’s charter and confirmed by the NLRB ruling, SAG has jurisdiction over ALL SHOWS except those DONE IN THE MANNER OF A LIVE BROADCAST!“ Despite this irrefutable fact, AFTRA with the help of the big agents (who bought them off with a HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS)to let them sell out actors–and, then give these big agencies a deal. It’s a deal that let’s a select few super power agents, not only represent actors, but act as their employers.) It’s the kind of subservient leadership that encourages producers to unlawfully take their shows to AFTRA in an effort to weaken, if not destroy, he once great Screen Actors Guild.
Very sobering. And to add more insult to the injury, filming permits in L.A. have declined, significantly, once again. Work is everywhere but HERE. Productions are quickly gravitating to states that offer producer-friendly
discounts, with a growing and experienced work force. And more importantly, these productions are gravitating away from SAG coverage. Some consider these huge discounts/incentives a race to the bottom. Some also opine that the shift in union coverage could be the end of SAG in the area of primetime television. Whatever your opinion regarding the whys or the what fors, television work is leaving SAG at a dizzying pace.And will continue to do so, unless actors wake up, and demand that their SAG leadership enforces our jurisdiction instead of idly standing by as our union is destroyed.
My hope is that we, as a collective, find our way back on course, and fast. If this trend continues, thousands of SAG members will no longer earn enough for SAG health coverage or pension credit points, which will trickle down, negatively impacting our Pension and Health Plans. And as far as California’s tax incentives go, it’s a beginning (albeitlate to the party), but they don’t go far enough. Why weren’t commercial productions included?
Look, this is more than a trend. It is a scheme hatched between AFTRA and agents during the union/agents hassle to weaken the Screen Actor’s guild. And it was done in order to empower top agencies to control actors and the industry. And in the process, they allowed AFTRA, the broadcaster based union,and their staff leadership, to survive and take over shows that should be under SAG’s jurisdiction. This excerpt from a January 26 Message from then President John Connolly:
“It’s an acknowledgement of AFTRA’s readiness and resolve to organize the digital markets of the 21st century – proof positive that AFTRA is the future in media.”
It’s an acknowledgement of AFTRA’s readiness and resolve to organize the digital markets of the 21st century – proof positive that AFTRA is the future in media.
I can’t express strongly enough how dire this is. And I know I’m not talking in a vacuum. Not a day goes by that Idon’t have these conversations with fellow actors at auditions, on sets, on the streets and in the board room. Those who I’ve spoken to believe SAG needs to do more
to offer all of its Hollywood members a forum to hold a healthy dialogue regarding these key career/union issues. I agree. And as your 1st vice president, I’ll do my best to make that happen.Sincerely,
Anne-Marie Johnson
“By DAVE MCNARY [Variety]
AFTRA has clearly become the deal of choice this pilot season, as producers shun SAG — which once dominated primetime.
With the season starting to wind down and move toward casting, a total of 62 pilots shot on digital have signed with the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists thus far, according to the union’s internal tracking.
Conversely, insiders believe that only few pilots have inked deals with the Screen Actors Guild — even though minimum terms of primetime deals in the SAG and AFTRA master contracts don’t vary significantly.”
SAG ACTORS GET SCREENERS IN TIME TO VOTE FOR SAG AWARDS
These movies are being sent to all SAG actor members, in good standing:
AN EDUCATION
INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
JULIE & JULIA
PRECIOUS
UP IN THE AIR
Vote NO :: AFTRA Interactive Voice Contract
Letter from Steven Barr, Voiceover Actor
Two other letters regarding this can be found at this link at Hollywood Actor Prep.
Voice-over actors who attended the SAG and AFTRA Interactive caucuses were appalled to learn that BOTH unions had negotiated contracts and come to a final deal without the participation of Interactive actors.
Actors at the SAG caucus took their destiny back into their own hands and voted down the Interactive contract.
So now this isn’t a matter of “two unions being played off one another.” On the contrary – there is only ONE union in play here, and that union is AFTRA.
AND AFTRA IS YOU.
Forget what paid and elected AFTRA officials are telling you to do. This is up to YOU. It’s your future and your livelihood.
Thanks to the activism of your fellow working actors, BOTH unions have been forced to give you the vote on this contract (as you probably know, BOTH unions tried very hard to PREVENT that from happening.) BOTH unions have been forced to listen to their working membership, and BOTH unions have the opportunity – and maybe it will be the last as far as Interactive is concerned – to jointly negotiate a fair deal.
You can keep this historic movement alive by voting NO.
Union officials have already acknowledged that the limitations and the definitions of ‘atmospheric voices’ will be VERY DIFFICULT to enforce and that there are a lot of gray areas that need to be “worked out in practice.” That’s right. They’re saying “just vote yes and we’ll figure it all out later.”
There are enormous consequences if you vote YES. If you vote YES you will be doing more than simply ratifying a deeply-flawed contract – THIS is what you will be saying to our employers:
- AFTRA is ultimately going to say YES no matter how many times its membership says NO.
- Not all voice-over actors are created equally: some are principals and some are merely atmospheric – (this concept has been fought off in every other contract)
- It’s okay for paid staff members and producers to negotiate a deal without the participation of actors
- AFTRA can only be counted on to modify the demands of producers but will not advocate the demands of actors
- AFTRA is not interested in turning down a bad contract, so it is pointless for SAG to negotiate a good one
- You are willing to work for half of what you are presently earning on some games
- It’s okay to rip apart the voices of professional voice actors as long as you do it for only four hours and pay them one scale payment
Remember – these are the same employers AFTRA will have to face in future negotiations. You can forget about residuals. If our employers see how easy it is to get this contract past our voting membersip, they will NEVER negotiate with you for residuals.
A NO votes sends the negotiators for BOTH unions back to the negotiating table. If you’ve been to the caucuses at SAG or AFTRA you know that we are now a united work force. Talk about giving our negotiators LEVERAGE!
Your talent and your skill has enormous value. You’re already being paid much less than you deserve on the Interactive contract. Don’t let your unions get away with selling you to the lowest bidder.
Yes, David White Is No Longer Temporary At SAG
He is now: Permanent.
With no vetting. Uh oh.
Oct. 2009
Yes, Seymour Cassell Was Ousted From SAG Board
I do hope he will be back, with better behavior. He’s an unrelenting, and non-political, truth teller who can make blunt sense out of nonsense. Actors need him on the SAG board.
Cassell is no moderate voice. He passionately cares about actors. He will never let actors get ‘sold down the river’, and demands respect for acting. No nicey-nicey for Seymour. Every Board and any board, anywhere, needs a Seymour Cassell. Especially, SAG’s board and SAG actors.
Oct. 2009
Anne-Marie Johnson-SAG Veep, Once Again
[ The Wrap:]
Two weeks after losing out to Ken Howard for the Screen Actors Guild’s national presidency, Anne-Marie Johnson has been re-elected by acclimation as first
vice president of the guild’s Hollywood division.
Johnson has served three prior terms in the post.
“For the union’s sake, I hope we find that we have more in common with regard to the future of the Screen Actors Guild than it may appear.”
• • • • • • • • • •
Ken Howard Wins SAG Presidency 2009
Directly From Screen Actors Guild Press Release:
Los Angeles (September 24, 2009)—Screen Actors Guild today announced results of elections for its top two elected positions. Ken Howard will serve as Screen Actors Guild president and Amy Aquino will serve as secretary-treasurer. Both will serve two-year terms beginning September 25.
Ballots were mailed to 99,485 paid-up SAG members on August 25, and 27,295 were tabulated today, for a return of 27.44 percent. Presidential candidates Ken Howard received 12,895 votes, with Anne-Marie Johnson coming in second with 8,906 votes, Seymour Cassel got 4,838 votes, and Asmar Muhammad received 402 votes.
“I’d like to be among the first to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our newly elected Screen Actors Guild national leadership. I look forward to working closely with our new president, Ken Howard, and new secretary-treasurer, Amy Aquino, as we focus on the wide range of critical issues facing our members in the coming year,” said SAG Interim National Executive Director David White. “I also extend my thanks, and the gratitude of SAG members and staff to Alan Rosenberg and Connie Stevens for their service and sacrifice on behalf of our union.”
“I am deeply honored to be chosen by the membership to lead the Screen Actors Guild,” said Ken Howard. “I campaigned on the promise that I’d do everything in my power to strengthen our position at the bargaining table by building a greater unity with AFTRA and the other entertainment unions, and that’s exactly what I intend to do. Despite the sharp differences that those of us active in Guild affairs sometimes have over strategy and tactics, we need to continually remind ourselves that we’re all on the same team, fighting for the same thing — and by pulling together, we’ll only grow stronger.”
“I am truly honored that the members have entrusted me with this responsibility,” said Amy Aquino. “Progress has already been made toward strengthening SAG’s finances and I want to make sure it continues. Only by fortifying SAG in this way can we hope to ensure the protections that performers need in these challenging times.”
More on the 2009 Election Returns
can be found at the SAG website: http://www.sag.org
SAG News To Report; Some Important MPTF News Also
This page runs in reverse order, latest dates are at the top.
• • • • • • • • • • • •
The Two Candidates For SAG President ::: Statements
:::::Anne-Marie Johnson:::::
“It is indeed a great honor to be asked to run for president of the Screen Actors Guild. I’ve been serving this union as a national board member for 12 years and its 1st vp for three. I’ve dedicated thousands of hours working hard to improve the wages and working conditions for all SAG members and to ensure that our members needs are met. The Screen Actors Guild is a wonderful talent union and I’ve been proud to be a member for over 2 decades. The next few years will be extremely challenging. Tough decision will have to be made. My ultimate goal is to help lead this union in the right direction to ensure that the Screen Actors Guild remains the premiere talent union for all actors and that the well being of our current and future members are always considered first.”
:::::Ken Howard:::::
“This election offers members a stark choice between two leadership approaches – attempt to go it alone or unite for strength. From 2005 through 2008, SAG experienced the divisive, go-it-alone approach of Membership First. They went to war with AFTRA, sought to marginalize New York and the branches, and repeatedly alienated other entertainment unions. Under Membership First’s leadership, SAG failed to successfully negotiate a single contract in 2008, which cost our members tens of millions of dollars. To make matters worse, it caused producers to take most new television production to AFTRA, resulting in still more lost work and benefits for SAG members. With increasing consolidation of media companies and new technologies transforming our business, we will pay dearly if we’re not smart and strategic about our future. I’m running for president as a Unite for Strength candidate because I believe the only way actors will get our fair share of the pie is if we’re united both internally and with our labor partners. If SAG members elect me and my fellow Unite for Strength candidates, we’ll make a clean break with the divisive leadership approach of Membership First and focus on building maximum unity with AFTRA and other entertainment guilds to give us real power when we sit down to negotiate contracts.”
July 26, 2009
The SAG Latest Is That Alan Rosenberg will not be seeking reelection for President. Instead, Anne-Marie Johnson, who has been the SAG Vice President, will be running for President, for the Membership First faction.
How do I feel about that? Uh… Great? Yes.
Once again, I feel Alan Rosenberg has acted wisely, with the best interests of the membership as priority. Unselfishly.
No matter what, if Alan Rosenberg ran again, he’d have that tail of cans-and-string symbolically clanking behind whatever he did. He’s been branded by the press and some of the membership, and has been blamed for an all around bad situation, and even possibly for an impossible-to-endure profession.
Anne-Marie Johnson is going to be harder to throw mud at. Mark my words. Take that to the bank.
You’ll see what I mean, once you are more familiar with her. (If you aren’t already.)
She is a solidly strong candidate; bright, experienced, dignified, level-headed, and an actor, all the way.
It is going to help everyone to have all new candidates… even Unite For Strength. With all the drama over the contracts, and that ratification war cleared; we’ll now be able to hear some issues. I hope. Deeply and sincerely.
It sure would be nice to see some coverage of the issues, and a valid coverage of the candidates and their stances, in the press. But that would mean that some journalists have to do homework, and they didnt do it during the recent Contracts Ratification battle period.
I did see some changes. DaveMcNary of Variety has really stepped up coverage. I saw that start soon after the executive changes took place at Variety. He seems more fair in his reportage, as well as increasing the coverage. And, personally (I am smiling here), I kept writing all the journalists when I thought they showed bias: repeatedly referring to Alan R. and Membership First as “radical”, while labelling “Unite For Strength” as “moderate”.
I would write comments, repeatedly, that questioned the terms they used on the rerun-residual topic, and New Media: “What is so moderate about not getting paid? About working for free? Why do you call that ‘moderate’, and you term those who are unwilling to give up gains made in the past ‘radical’?”
I think they heard me. Or maybe they just became aware. You can see a real change in tone, and balance, in Dave McNary’s coverage now.
Nikki Finke, at Deadline Hollywood Daily has always given the SAG stuff: full, strong coverage, and kept an actor-presence, overall, in her industry blog. Hers is far and above the only industry rag to do so.
If an alien culture discovered almost any other Industry Rag, they might not even realize that actors are a part of The Business… Certainly, not an important part of it, to any degree. Maybe now, that there have been some journalistic shifts in traditional individual papers, and in the journalistic paradigms; and also now that the actors aren’t fighting those that provide major advertising dollars to the media sources, we may start to see some clearer, more fair, and more frequent coverage.
I am starting a new page, on Hollywood Actor Prep, in case that will be true. We’ll have plenty of room then, to cover it all.
Okay, here’s some excerpts from today, July 26, 2009.
To view full article, click on the name of the journal, that is a link.
From Variety–
Variety link to full article//www.
…Announcing Anne Marie Johnson’s SAG Presidential Run:
Anne-Marie Johnson is the official presidential candidate for the Membership First ticket, hoping to regain control of the Screen Actors Guild national board, as Alan Rosenberg opts to step aside.
“Fairly or unfairly, I’m a bit tainted in terms of getting elected again,” Rosenberg told Daily Variety at a fund-raising event Sunday at the home of national board members Joe Bologna and Renee Taylor. “For me, this is all about our team winning.”
Rosenberg, who said conditionally last month that he was running for a third two-year term, said he is stepping aside because Johnson has a better shot at winning after he’s been so strongly identified with the numerous bruising battles within SAG for the past four years. He had stridently opposed ratification of SAG’s feature-primetime deal but was unpersuasive as a surprisingly high 78% of members endorsed the pact.
Johnson will face Ken Howard and possibly Seymour Cassel for the presidency. Howard is heading the Unite for Strength ticket as the self-styled moderates seek to increase their narrow board majority, first achieved last fall when he and four others were elected.
In a brief speech at the fundraiser, Johnson stressed that she’s more experienced than Howard at a time when SAG faces multiple challenges on such fronts as prepping for the next round of contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, mandated to go from Oct. 1 to Nov. 15 next year.
“There’s no time for learning on the job,” she said. “I’ve been a member of six SAG negotiating committees, and Ken has spent one year on the national board.”
Johnson also reminded supporters that Membership First needs to present a united front for the elections, which will conclude Sept. 24. “We don’t have time for petty differences,” she added.
