SAG Actors Rallies Are Now Held Every Thursday.
Scott Wilson announced that the next SAG Actors Rally will be Thursday, March 26, 2009, from 11 AM to 2 PM, in front of the Department of Justice. In downtown Los Angeles: See map below.
“This rally is timely in light of the fact that the NLRB is investigating SAG Interim NED David White and SAG Board members on unfair labor practices because of their refusal to give members a chance to have a voice in their future: Whether voting on the AMPTP’s final offer, or a strike authorization. This is all part and parcel of a conflict of interest that is rampant in our industry.”
Letter from Scott Wilson regarding Actors Rally:
We are drawing attention to the fact that the handful of vertically integrated corporations who finance, distribute and exhibit motion picture and video productions, have gained unchecked control over the entertainment industry. They are denying the professionals of the Screen Actors Guild below star level -supporting actors, stunts, dancers, jingles, background – a fair participation in the rewards of this very lucrative business. In our collective bargaining process these giant corporations have demanded rollbacks that ruthlessly cut down the minimum safety net on which our membership depends – residuals, pensions, health care. All our unions have been impacted. Conflicts of interest are rampant. We call on the Department of Justice to investigate the anti-trust implications of these corporations that have abused their market power to disadvantage the entire creative community.
In solidarity
Scott Wilson
Henry Kingi
Directions for Actors Rally:
This week’s Rally is at the Department of Justice, 312 N Spring Street in Downtown Los Angeles on THURSDAY, March 26, at 11am-2pm. Public parking at the Olvera Street Market. The nearest Metro Rail station would be Union Station, from there head west on Arcadia Street or Aliso Street , turn L on Spring Street. 312 is on the first block of Spring Street after the freeway bridge, 3-4 blocks from Union station.
More from Sagwatchdog.net:
The letter to SAG General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland from the National Labor Relations Board is dated March 20, 2009. It begins, “This is to advise you that the enclosed charge alleging the commission of an unfair labor practice within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act…has been filed with this office.”
The letter asks for full cooperation and advises Mr. Crabtree-Ireland that a refusal to fully cooperate might cause a case to be litigated unnecessarily. It stipulates that the Region cannot honor any limitations, including claims of confidentiality.
It, also, states that all unfair labor practice charges are subject to prompt disclosure to the members of the public upon request under the Freedom of Information Act.
The charges in this case stem from a claim made to the NLRB, by a paid up SAG member, that his rights were being violated by interim NED David White and others on The SAG National Board, who were working against the membership by not getting out the contract to allow them to vote on it. The member included the Sixty Day Clause advising the NLRB that if no action was taken within the sixty day period, the AMPTP could arbitrarily impose the contract on the members.
Secondly, he advised the NLRB about his concerns of the “gagging” of SAG President Alan Rosenberg, and curtailing his ability to speak to the membership about what the member characterized as coup of our board by New York and the Branches.
The member, also, said that he was told that if any other SAG members had similar concerns they should contact the NLRB.
What I have to say about it all:
I don’t claim to understand much of this, and I have read conflicting arguments, and they both seem legal and logical. BUT, there is one major overriding issue, that trumps all the arguing, for me.
The AMPTP contract terms are terrible, for actors. They rollback all so many advances that SAG has fought for, over the years, so that actors can make what they are owed (or a fraction of it, anyway.) I think the contract terms are just unrighteous, and the power pushing by the conglomerates that now own the studios and networks is a whole new form of bullying.
I believe, vehemently, that actors are artists. I am sure that artists should be paid, and treated as the contributors that they are, in society. I think artists should be valued. Actors should be valued.
I don’t think we should have to stand up to say that. Because it’s obvious. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where business reigns. It truly does, in Hollywood. (The same corporations who own the studios also own the entertainment journals–which is why you don’t see a lot of “pro-actor” coverage in the press…)
Therefore, we do have to stand up and say we need to be counted. Someone has to say it, outright, and speak up. The more, the stronger the message is…That we need to be paid. That we deserve compensation, of “some of the pie”.
As far as “negotiating later”…well, I lost so much money on the VHS/DVD contracts that were supposed to be re-negotiated once that “new media” showed how relevant and profitable it was going to be. That never happened.
I cannot allow fellow actors’ work to be broadcast anywhere, without them getting paid for it. I cannot allow the future of the profession to appear so dismal, as far as income goes. It seems absurd to allow someone to keep all of the money, and not allow actors some of the profits.
So in the midst of all of this confusing chaos, I show up. Somebody has to. For a lot of somebodies. Who are actors.
So that the conglomerates know that they need to count actors in, as they count all their profits. And as they plan, even more.
As they use, and plan to use, actors to work; they need to know that they need to pay actors, for this work.
