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He disclosed his intention to reporters this afternoon while waiting for the TV/Theatrical Contract vote results at SAG headquarters. Given the overwhelming count in favor of ratification, and that Alan Rosenberg became the personification of “Vote Yes” hostility, I can’t imagine why anyone would think this is a good idea. Especially him. And what lousy timing to announce the start of his campaign.
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Well said Peter Elliott. I would love to believe level heads like yours can win the day.
That said, I’m not an actor. I have, however, owned and operated an international supply co. for years. I look at what’s happening with SAG and, as it relates to running a business, I scratch my head. Even a child could sort this mess out.
Let’s pair this down to the basics to be clear. If store A is offering a product at full price, but store B next door is offering the very same product at half price, which store would you go to? An oversimplification, but even at it’s most complex, the problem facing actors is that there’s two unions offering much of the same product at two different prices.
One of the unions has to go if actors intend to have any kind of solid base. The petty in-squabbling, turf wars, ideological differences are wastes of energy. None of them are directed at solidifying the actors negotiating stance.
The AMPTP is great at obscuring a simple fact: They run their business like a business, actors run their union like a club. The day actors consolidate their power, the studios will begin taking the negotiations seriously.
If I were an actor with any say, I’d be racing to find a way to merge with AFTRA in the next two years, sort out the growing pains so come next negotiation, I could make up some of the difference. Do not give the AMPTP the choice to go next door and buy your product at half price.
I wouldn’t worry too much about Alan Rosenberg winning a third term. The same majority who voted to ratify the deal will take care of any of his notions that he has anything further to offer our union. He is finished…in more ways than one.
Please, when will the membership understand that we do not need anymore extremists running our union? While I respect Martin Sheen, I do believe his day has come and gone. He represents the past. It’s no longer necessary to lay down in front of riot police. It is my hope that we reach out to a person who will not divide SAG any more than it already is…smart, level-headed and someone who will can negotiate…not alienate. Lead…not mislead. Integrity is key. Whoever that person may be…step up and bring us together.
zachery speaks the truth.
Re: Paul Rodger’s comment about Patric Verrone – I’m not sure if Alan and Patric were “ideological bedmates” as you say, but one of the things Alan did right was to foster a very close alliance with the WGA – something any SAG president and any WGA president would be wise to continue for the next negotiation.
As for a change at WGA, Patric remains one of the most popular presidents we’ve ever had and he would easily win reelection… were he not prevented from running by term limits. So yes, we WILL have a new leader no matter what. But it is unlikely to be someone who disagrees with current WGA leadership (those folks are hard to find these days, and finding one with the stature to win the guild presidency would be even harder)
The strike did not divide our guild (quite the opposite) and I would not expect to see a change in ideology at the WGA anytime soon.
Mr. Rosenberg serves(d) as the president of a severely divided union at a time when management sees the possibility of not being hindered by unions in their future. He had another severe handicap in that a sister union that should be a partner and ally in standing up for members they have in common has more interest in propping up their failing union and disguising their inability to actually organize what should be the bulk of their work by poaching SAG’s. Despite this he has continued to stand strong and squarely for everything he said he was for all along.
A lesser man really would be the babbling madman his opponents try to portray him as, even now.
In fact, Rosenberg’s one true failing was not understanding that the majority of his membership are ill informed, unthinking, fearful and easily manipulated. He really thought the truth would set the Union free and it would prevail. When the people telling you to vote for a contract admit it is lousy. When the people telling you to vote for a contract’s only criteria for changing their vote is time frame, you would believe that people who are dependent on this contract to protect their rights would look carefully at it and vote to demand that protection.
Unfortunately for Mr. Rosenberg, he had too much faith in the membership of his union. I’m sure he thought his members would demand their rights be protected by their union and would vote no. In a world where resolve is admired, fear tactics are denounced, and standing up for yourself is a way of life, yesterday’s vote would have gone a different way. Too bad that world doesn’t exist anymore. People want things given to them without having to fight for them. And if there might be a fight they roll over and beg for a champion. Too bad AFTRA’s leadership doesn’t give a damn about the seventy percent who voted to give away rights they will never get back, they are too busy feathering their own nest over the bodies of the actors they already ‘represent’. Too bad that for most members of the directors union issues that are critical for actors just don’t matter. And too bad the writers lost massive skin getting new media even discussed for themselves and the rest of the guilds.
Mr. Rosenberg, take a step back, take a deep breath. And let the chips fall where they may. You did your best. The future will be clearer when this contract begins to stink and clears the room.
He never specifically mentioned that he was running again in this morning’s interview on KTLA in LA with Sam Rubin. He did say that he hoped SAG would elect someone strong to lead them whether it was him or someone else.
Martin Sheen. ’nuff said.
Alan should find a rock and crawl under it & never come out. SAG and AFTRA should merge like the AFL/CIO. Then if they want to talk about a contract in 2 years, they talk as a united front at the same time the writers & directors are talking, now that a voice that the studios would listen too.
Alan thinks he’s gonna get all the other unions on the phone? Like they’ll even talk to him at this point? Is he smoking again? Why should they talk to someone who turned around and bashed the contract they went on strike to get? WGA is proud of the contract. Alan called it a horrible contract.
Alan, thanks for the memories but you don’t speak for the membership AT ALL. He and that other witch should step down and let the union collect itself. They won’t because they are selfish cowards all.
Martin Sheen, forget it, too political. Moderates need to take the helm for the whole damn union.
LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE. IT’S PRETTY CLEAR TO ANYONE WHO CAN READ. THE “PEOPLE” REJECTED MF TOP TO BOTTOM.
SAG and AFTRA have no backbone. This “united front” BS is just that, BS.
When have you EVER seen SAG go on strike?
Alan Rosenberg DESERVES another term in office.
(That’s not the same as saying that he should run.)
Alan has endured a trial-by-fire more excruciating and vicious than any officer in the history of the Guild (correct me, if I’m wrong). Many battles have been lost, but even his most rabid detractors couldn’t deny Alan’s courage.
Alan has grown remarkably in his two terms in office –and, in my opinion, he was a pretty good president begin with. (I voted against him in ’05.)
In a match-up with James Cromwell, I believe Alan would win. Cromwell would quickly be exposed as the benefactor of the top 1% of members, while Alan, I think, still has credibility with the rank-and-file.
But Cromwell may sense his own unpopularity and decide against running. And his allies may find a less vulnerable candidate
Alan has been demonized, relentlessly, by the elitist faction, USAN/U4S. He has been labeled “a liar,” “a psychotic,” “a demagogue” and “a fool.”
If those labels stick in the minds of enough voters, he will probably be defeated. And his defeat might damage his own cause — the revival of union militancy on behalf of the rank-and-file.
Can he overcome the false perception of him nurtured by the AMPTP-friendly SAG elite?
I am so glad it’s as easy as you say, GeorgeT. Though I agree that in-fighting weakens us against producers, you don’t seem to understand just how badly we needed a strong leader like Rosenberg. We cannot survive when leaders are GIVING AWAY OUR RIGHTS – and stars that are ENCOURAGING THEM TO. Just look at how “easy” George T. Clooney made it all seem when he said we just need 10 linemen to protect us. Where are those linemen now that we got royally screwed over last night? Are those linemen putting food on our tables? Though I hear you that having a divisive union does nothing for us, neither does having a bunch of rich, gluttonous movie stars stripping away the rights and protections of the working class while shoveling dirt into our president’s face because he was trying to keep those rights from being stripped away. If you ask me, it’s stars like that that should be ousted from the union for good because they are nothing more than greedy producers looking out for themselves.
Tell me George or Tom would have dared to do just that 15 years ago? Rosenberg was absolutely VILLIFIED for trying to kick the AMPTP’s ass when they were dredging us through the mud. And now that it’s done, you’ve simply stated “War Over”? Yes, the SAG war is over now that stars and AMPTP have absolutely buried the working class actor. You try working 2 or 3 day jobs and try “making it” as an actor nowadays. Try “making it” as an actor when your freaking day job is only giving you 18K per year. I’ll bet you wouldn’t think the same if you hadn’t been able to buy your first home from residuals. Because now that digital tv is just days away, and distribution will come from NBC.com, the WAR, my friend, has just begun. This whole bundle of bullshit has just launched a war.
So your idealistic thinking is nothing than mere HOGwash. And soon you will be sorry that you thought otherwise. I wish it were as simple as “laying down our guns” as you say. It’s not. If only you knew that AFTRA pushed SAG under a bus because of E.R.I.S.A. If only you understood digital tv will mean New Media covers television now, too. If only you knew that all those vested people in SAG, just like all those vested people in AFTRA will not be able to collect those federally protected pensions because it is to the federal government to which they owe. And now SAG will be in the same predicament.
If only it were as easy as “Game Over” would this nightmare be done. The war, my friend, has just been waged.
Send in the linemen. Please, GeorgeT. Send us those linemen!!
Now, where the hell are those linemen?
____________________________________________________
SAG needs a strong, unselfish leader unaffiliated with either Membership First or Unite 4 Strength to step up and seize the moment. As long as you have warring factions SAG will always be completely at the mercy of the producers. Lay down your arms. Make peace. Shut up and quit trashing each other. No more personal attacks by either side. Thank Alan Rosenberg, Melissa Gilbert, Bill Daniels and Richard Masur for their service, declare the decade-long war over with and move on. Go out of your way to show each other respect even if you disagree. Quit making this another Bosnia or Middle East.
No Membership First. No Unite 4 Strength. Just a reborn, united Screen Actors Guild.
Comment by GeorgeT — June 9, 2009 @ 9:32 pm
Hanks should run, you know, since he cares so much about his union. Oh that’s right, he’s too busy with his slate.
There is something to be said for a negotiation strategy that’s predicated upon stating ONCE what your intentions are in public, for the benefit for the community and, most importantly, your constituency.
Then you go into battle. And you keep your mouth shut. You don’t run around town, camera-whoring and parading for anyone who’ll watch/listen. You ask your members to keep quiet. They already know what you’re fighting for. You tell them you’ll call on them to speak up if necessary. Otherwise, you’re revealing disarray to the adversary.
You need to keep your adversary guessing. This is how Nick Counter won. He was cold, calm, calculated. Always resolute. Never wavering. Observing the frantic, chaotic actions and behavior of his adversary, using it to his advantage. Like a snake, hunting its prey to perfect effect. That’s how we might’ve won.
Unfortunately, Alan Rosenberg doesn’t understand such principles.
You said:
“members who got a couple lines in a movie 10 years ago”.
That’s PRECISELY who the 50K plus actors (currently, anyway) should consider first, because that’s the profession THIS union represents, dumbass! There’s no job security.
IF (and that’s a big IF) you have a good year run, or two, you’ll most likely be okay. Awesome, and that’s the MINORITY–that shouldn’t be voting on the MAJORITY. Good for ambition and Anthony Robbins for inspiring you to think you’ll be ‘the next big thing’ for the sake of humoring you, if you aren’t already the next big thing, and you don’t someday become that ‘actor in a movie 10 years ago’, this shouldn’t be a ‘let’s shit all over’ those that haven’t worked, because that’s not the point…
Again, t h e r e’s N o J o b S e c u r i t y particularly in this profession. Union members look out for EACHOTHER at ALL levels.
If I were a producer, I would hire Alan Rosenberg, Dave Clennon, and Martin Sheen in a nano-second. If they bring the same intelligence, passion, and concern to my film as they have shown for their colleagues, union, and craft, I would consider myself and my project blessed.
Not so fast, Max Merkin.
“A hugely, dramatically embarrassing night” for Alan Rosenberg?
Let’s take another look at those “overwhelming” results.
First, BOTH sides seriously underestimated the power of FEAR to drive this vote.
Those of us who opposed the contract didn’t know it, but we never had a chance.
On the other hand, those who now control the Guild were running scared. They knew they were promoting a bad deal and they were deeply worried. And they over-compensated. They spent far too much money — maybe $300,000 — to achieve A VICTORY THAT WAS IN THE BAG before they sent the ballots out.
Second point: For a labor union ratification vote, 78% is hardly “overwhelming.” Throughout history, across all labor unions, a ratification vote rarely falls outside the 90-95% range.
Recent example: In February 2008, the Writers’ Guild voted on their contract, after a 14-week strike. Many rank-and-file writers were deeply disappointed in the deal their leaders had brought to them. But the final vote to ratify was 93.6%. The WGA leaders headlined their press release with these words, “Writers’ Guild Members Overwhelmingly Ratify New Contract.”
How do YOU say, “Overwhelming”? 78%, in hard economic times? Or 93.6%, way before the meltdown.
A ratification vote that falls under 90% is considered embarrassing to the union leaders who recommended the contract. Less than 90% is only lukewarm approval.
A less-than-80% vote for ratification is almost unheard-of.
Last year AFTRA’s TV contract was ratified with a very weak 63%, BEFORE the global economic meltdown, and before the protracted SAG negotiations resumed.
The new SAG leadership, with fear on their side, with member impatience on their side, with hundreds of thousands of advertising dollars on their side — the new SAG leadership was only able to add 15% to the exceptionally low vote for the AFTRA deal.
By objective, rational measurements, it was not exactly “A hugely, dramatically embarrassing night.”
Sheen’s our only hope said –
“If only you understood digital tv will mean New Media covers television now”.
Just to be crystal clear – Digital TV is still broadcast TV and falls under the Class A theatrical contract. It is NOT New Media by any stretch of the imagination.
Digital is simply the way the frequency signal is broadcast. The federal government wants the analog bands back so they can be licensed for other uses at a higher profit and the broadcast companies wanted digital to cram more content on the sub channels that go along with the digital broadcast.
Peter Elliott
SAG Member
MOVE-ON-SAG HERE HERE! Rational not radical PLLEEAASSE.