George Clooney Weighs In on SAG-AFTRA

George Clooney just issued a proposal on the SAG-AFTRA situation through his publicist, Stan Rosenfield. If you can't open the link, the full text is below.

It seeks a compromise, based on the premise that stars have to do more for workaday actors, including paying more in dues. His proposal: Top moneymakers would pay $6,000 per $1 million in dues every year. In other words, a $20 million salary would net the union $120,000, which he says would go a long way toward helping SAG's pension and health plan. (Currently, dues are capped at $6,000.)

He also proposes that a panel of top stars--the kind that producers "don't often say 'no' to"--sits down with producers every year to look at new-media revenues and readjust actors' share of earnings accordingly, so that residuals don't get stuck at the same level, as they have been for home video for the past 28 years.

An AFTRA spokeswoman had no comment. Pamm Fair, a deputy national executive director for SAG, stated in a news release: “Screen Actors Guild appreciates George Clooney’s observations and opinions regarding our current negotiations and the critical issues facing all actors today. We welcome this valuable input.”

Whatever the merits of this proposal are, it is refreshing in its simplicity and in its attempt to broker a solution. Let us know your thoughts in the comments field below.

--Andrew Salomon

At the risk of being yet another actor giving his opinion about the ongoing fight between SAG and AFTRA, I’m hoping that there might be a way out of this. Rather than pitting artist against artist, maybe we could find a way to get what both unions are looking for.

Both are, of course, right. AFTRA feels that a work stoppage would be devastating to its members and SAG believes that if they don’t draw a line in the sand, the studios will repeat what they did with DVDs.

There are a couple of fundamental facts that both sides have to start with… first is that the WGA, DGA and IATSE all agreed to a certain model  (DVDs not being a part of it). Breaking that model for AFTRA or SAG would retroactively break the other models… so you can be pretty sure that the AMPTP isn’t going to do that. The second thing is understanding the way these unions work. They’re unique in structure to other unions. Doug Allen (the SAG National Executive Director)  has said on several occasions that this would be a negotiation for “the linemen, not for the quarterbacks”  (Doug did a lot of the negotiating for the NFL.)

The spirit of the statement isn’t wrong… it’s just the structure. Unlike the NFL, in this Guild, the quarterbacks protect the linemen. I’ve been very lucky in my career, which has put me in the place that I don’t need a union to check on my residuals, or my pension, or protect my 12 hour turnaround. I used to need that, and may again… but right now I don’t. That means it’s my responsibility to look out for actors who are trying to stay afloat from year to year. Anything less is irresponsible of me.

Work stoppage will do a great deal of harm to those actors… agencies will close… TV pilots won’t get made… more reality shows… we all know the scenario. But that doesn’t mean just roll over and give the producers what they want… it means diligence.

The producers say that there’s no money in New Media right now. There’s some truth in that… for this moment. It was also true for cable, VHS and DVD… all of which became very profitable for the studios… and the actors were out in the cold. With New Media, we have our foot in the door, but who’s to say a year from now, if it becomes profitable, that the same thing won’t happen again… actors out in the cold. So here are a couple of ways that the quarterbacks can protect the linemen:

First, we set up a panel… Jack Nicholson and Tom Hanks, for instance… ten of them that sit down with the studio heads once a year… ten people that the studio heads don’t often say “no” to. Those ten people walk in the door with all the new data that SAG and AFTRA compile, and adjust the pay for actors… once a year.

Second, we go to the actors who make an exorbitant amount of money, and raise their dues. Right now, there’s a cap of six thousand bucks that actors pay their union… based on a million dollars in earnings. Make it $6,000 for every million… if someone makes $20 million, they pay $120,000 into the union. That could go a long way in helping pensions and health care. The quarterbacks have to do more.

To be sure, I’m not the brightest bulb out there. So maybe someone has a lot better idea… I just happen to believe so strongly in both unions… my father, my mother, aunt, uncle, even cousins were all members of either SAG or AFTRA long before me.

What we can’t do is pit artist against artist… because the one thing you can be sure of is that stories about Jack Nicholson vs. Tom Hanks only strengthens the negotiating power of the AMPTP.

                                                                                    George Clooney

Comments

[SAG member]

Who died and left him God? When did he decide he was the arbiter of all things union/guild?

He doesn't get his way, again, will he go fi-core SAG and AFTRA?

Enough of the overpaid actor(s) thinking they speak for those who depend on day-to-day work to meet bills.

With this proposal we can have labor strife EVERY YEAR! WHEEEE!

[connie]

Given the previous poster's remarks, is it any wonder Hi-pros don't want to get involved in the union that he/she correctly says mostly states benefits the working schmoes like me.

Still, as clear as it is that Mr. Clooney doesn't quite understand how the union works (eg., his suggestion that increased dues will help the P&H/H&R Funds), and as much as I wish he hadn't decided to go Fi-Core in the WGA....all that said, he's trying to find a path to unity and to helping middle class performers.

It would be far more productive to foster the good intentions than to trash them with hostility. I've heard year after year....where are the stars??????? Well, one of them steps up and speaks up.....and for YOU, btw.......be nice.

[BST]

Dear SAG Member and Connie:

Mr. Clooney's statement, unlike yours, is both humble and introspective. Had you read his statement more carefully, you would know that he is merely addressing the issue by offering potential, if not partial, remedies. He clearly invites and encourages cooperative participation from others to derive an amenable solution for all parties.
In no way, does Mr. Clooney claim to have all the answers.

Take a pill or three…it will be resolved.