SAG/AMPTP Start Formal Talks April 15

COMMENTS (11)

• Alright,let the games begin.

  Comment by Socratores — Tuesday April 1, 2008 @ 10:51pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Which does Doug Allen fear more, a bad contract or AFTRA?

  Answer: AFTRA.

  Comment by TObvious — Wednesday April 2, 2008 @ 4:19am PDT  Reply to this post

• Keep breathing, everybody –
  a lot can happen in two weeks.

  Comment by Tom — Wednesday April 2, 2008 @ 4:45am PDT  Reply to this post

• April Fools!

  Comment by Gottasayit — Wednesday April 2, 2008 @ 8:18am PDT  Reply to this post

• But AFTRA might just beat SAG to the punch and if that happens, prepare for long and fruitless talks similiar to what the WAG went through before and during their strike.

  In any case, Godspeed!!!

  Comment by Jessy S. — Wednesday April 2, 2008 @ 10:22am PDT  Reply to this post

• THANK GOD they got in there before AFTRA- so far.

  And for all of us who agree that SAG is looking out for us more than AFTRA- be sure and vote for the candidates who share our concerns.

  I see Frances Fisher’s name on there as well as an endorsement by AFTRA ARTISTS. I can see from her posts here that I overwhelmingly agree with her. So Frances, you and the slate of AFTRA ARTISTS have my vote.

  Please take the time to vote in this AFTRA election. Now, more than ever.

  Peggy Lane O’Rourke

  Comment by Peggy Lane O'Rourke — Wednesday April 2, 2008 @ 3:12pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Just because SAG is starting negotiations first doesn’t mean that a deal will be done with them first. I’d say it’s in AMPTP’s interest to strike a deal with the weaker more desperate AFTRA then turn the screws on SAG. Good God I hope I’m wrong.

  Comment by K. Henderson SAG/AFTRA member — Wednesday April 2, 2008 @ 6:47pm PDT  Reply to this post

• AWAG (Actors Working for an Actors Guild) fully supports the Screen Actors Guild directors in their determination to negotiate a new contract with or without the cooperation of AFTRA. AFTRA’s untimely decision to terminate “Phase 1″ of the attempt to merge SAG and AFTRA illustrates to AWAG’s 1500 members the difficulties that have always been apparent to those seeking to merge the 2 unions with such diverse memberships. We are confident that the current SAG leadership is fully capable of negotiating a fair and responsible contract for the members of Screen Actors Guild and we support them fully.

  Morgan Paull
  Founder and Chairman

  Charlton Heston, Director

  Comment by Morgan Paull — Thursday April 3, 2008 @ 2:05am PDT  Reply to this post

• Paid Political Announcement
  This e-mail message is not an official communication of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists or the Los Angeles Local (hereafter AFTRA) and has not been transmitted at the union’s expense. AFTRA is required by federal law to comply with all reasonable requests by a candidate for union office regarding the distribution of campaign literature at the candidate’s expense. The following message has been prepared by the candidate and is not endorsed or reviewed by AFTRA in any manner. The candidate has not been provided with your e-mail address. This message is being transmitted by an independent electronic communications company that has signed an agreement with AFTRA which requires the company to guarantee the confidentiality of your e-mail address.

  You have been given a second chance to C-H-A-N-G-E…
  The U.S. Dept. of Labor has ordered a re-run election
  due to costly ballot deficiencies, errors and omissions!
  Your leaders should be focusing on contracts – not ballot errors!

  • Full cooperation with sister unions
  • ‘Not a dollar less’ – no undercutting of established union rates
  • No ‘free’ exhibitions – we’ll preserve your residuals
  • Organize ‘lifestyle’ cable shows
  • Transparency – “open” board meetings
  • Only member-approved dues changes
  • Reduce health premiums
  • Improve pension plan accrual rate

  Due to “questionable election practices” the last AFTRA election is being re-run by oder of the Dept of Labor.

  AFTRAartists are Actors, Stunt and Voice performers; WORKING professionals who have been members of AFTRA for decades, running for seats on the AFTRA Board to be your eyes and ears. Our goal will be to resist any attempt by AFTRA to undermine the superior wages and working conditions long-established by the Screen Actors Guild.

  There are vast areas of un-organized work within AFTRA’s traditional jurisdiction, particularly in Cable TV. Actors lose when AFTRA pursues areas of scripted dramatic programming which Screen Actors Guild has successfully negotiated for decades.

  If elected, AFTRAartists candidates will urge AFTRA to organize all traditional AFTRA Lifestyle, News and Variety programming before going after S.A.G’s scripted projects. Electing us to the AFTRA Board will remove the veil of secrecy synonymous with AFTRA politics.

  We intend to blow the whistle on the shady back-room deals undercutting actors’ wages and residuals. To accomplish this task, we need to be in the AFTRA Boardroom. When you receive your AFTRA ballot in the mail, don’t throw your vote away! We urge you to…

  Cast a ballot for your future by voting for the following AFTRAartists candidates for At Large, Stunt, National Board and Local Board:

  Actor Category:
  Bonnie Bartlett
  Carole Elliott
  Sumi Haru

  Stunt Category:
  Jane Austin

  At-Large Category:
  Renee Aubry
  Jeff Austin
  Steven Barr
  Anthony DeSantis
  Frances Fisher
  Peggy Miley
  Paul Napier
  David Sobolov

  Local Board:
  Steven Barr
  Carole Elliott
  Russell McConnell

  Comment by Frances Fisher — Thursday April 3, 2008 @ 9:57am PDT  Reply to this post

• All because the Daytime Soap actors would rather be members of SAG than AFTRA. Wouldn’t everyone? Yeah, I say GO SAG!!

  Comment by Mrs. Rory Calhoun — Thursday April 3, 2008 @ 11:34pm PDT  Reply to this post

• Lady Frances Fisher, that is the way to stand up to treasonous acts. What a great idea to join the ranks of the enemy and turn our sister union back around toward benefiting the members.

  I got my letter from AFTRA with the National Labor Board’s decision but didn’t have a clue what it really meant. That is until now.

  You already have my email address so don’t forget to email me this when the AFTRA ballots with the proposed new board members names are sent out.

  Comment by Chris Jackson — Thursday April 3, 2008 @ 11:54pm PDT  Reply to this post