Hello, Strike Watchers!
I return to you from a much-needed two-week vacation from Back
Stage and union politics. I’m forever indebted to my colleague Andrew Salomon
for not only covering for me, but perhaps more importantly making a CBGBs/Patti
Smith reference. Evidence that he missed me and my random, inappropriate allusions something
awful and flooded his cubicle with tears every day? You be the judge.
I had hoped that I’d return to news of a freshly minted SAG
TV/Theatrical Contract ensuring actors higher DVD residuals, an end to
new-media exhibition windows, and unlimited gummy bears and unicorn rides for
all. Instead, the Rosenberg-Allen-led negotiating committee and the AMPTP
appear as deadlocked as ever. What’s more, DVDs are all but off the table and
there’s a spankin’ new celeb-endorsed faction called Unite for Strength in town.
Well, it’s hardly huge news, but SAG has just released the
official list of candidates for its national boards seats. Ned Vaughn’s 31
Uniters including Adam Arkin, Kate Walsh, and Amy Brenneman are all listed, as
are 22 Membership First incumbents such as Lainie Kazan, Joe Bologna, JoBeth
Williams, William Russ, David Jolliffe, and Steve Barr. Eleven MFers running
for the first time include Keith Carradine, Joely Fisher, Scott Bakula, and
Alan “Let My Cameron Go” Ruck.
The announcement was preceded by a rather heady email from
MF leader and continuing board member Anne-Marie Johnson in which she states
Membership First represents “the overwhelming majority of working actors in Hollywood."
Johnson boasts, “We're the first group to help create a $20
million dollar surplus…. We're also the first group to oversee SAG's
Commercials Contract topping the $800 million dollar mark.” Johnson also cites
iActor, the guild’s first New Technology/New Media and Organizing Department,
and the first renegotiation of basic-cable residuals as feathers in their collective cap.
Not to mention that MF “is working to create the first union contract to
completely cover new media and the first to secure new media residuals.” Well,
they’re working on it, anyway. Although a source tells me Alan and Allen are in Chicago at the moment, far away from AMPTP HQ in Sherman Oaks.
When asked to comment on Johnson’s letter, pithy Vaughn
replied, “They're also the first SAG leadership group
to preside over a breakdown in our relationship with AFTRA, leaving us to
negotiate our biggest contract with one hand tied behind our back.”
Oh, it’s good to be home.
--Lauren Horwitch
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