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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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I’m glad the town is finally seeing what many SAG members realized months ago — this man is a dangerous, unhinged lunatic. A hugely, dramatically embarrassing night for him, and what does he do? Maybe he thinks he can get Morgan Fairchild to run against him again.
Martin Sheen for President — PLEASE!!!!
I thought that Martin Sheen would give it a go and become a unifying voice for SAG. Rosenberg doesn’t stand a chance and will divide the MF vote badly. Sheen has a lot of cred with the MF faction and is generally liked, never having gotten his hands too dirty in these intra-guild wars, by actors more broadly as well.
If Rosenberg is in the race, then it’s over for Membership First. I think even the most ardent supporter of MF can see this.
Hasn’t he destroyed enough? What more can this buffoon do to destroy our income?
Alan, you prick, I hope you are reading this because 78% of SAG thinks you’re a jerk.
Marty Sheen would be my only pick for MF now.
How many of you actually believe this vote actually passed anyways? I say someone was heavily paid off!!
go away allen…far, far, away…forever
I hope Alan Rosenberg goes back under the rock he crawled out of. Can we have a vote to kick this dude out of Hollywood?
I remember Rosenberg during the WGA strike–his unending solidarity with the writers, his eloquent resolve (and the way it contrasted so starkly with Verrone’s spineless drivel). They don’t deserve you at SAG, Alan. I guess we don’t at the WGA either, but come be our president anyway. (Don’t worry if you don’t have writing credits–as recent history attests, that’s not necessarily a bar to the WGA presidency.)
He’s running again because of what I and so many people have been saying about him since last January during the Writer’s strike–HE’S NUTS!
And those who follow him and endorse him need to see a psychiatrist as well.
It’s a shame. I am sure he’s a decent man, but he’s completely lost it and showed that too many times over the last year. It’s time to take a long rest and quietly disappear. He’s embarrassing us all, most of all, himself.
I think that we have to look for leaders who want to UNITE SAG (the ENTIRE UNION) and not divide us or go after AFTRA. Anyone (and I mean anyone, no matter what “party” the belong to) should be OPEN-MINDED to serve on the board or be the President or any other elected office.
I know Alan did what he thought was right and for that I applaud him. That also goes for the most outspoken U4S and Membership First members. However, the time for party politics has past. Anyone who has an axe to grind against the other “party” or other board members should do us all a favor and STAY OUT OF THE BOARD ROOM.
It’s time we got control of our union back. I say we look to disolve this 2 party system (yep, get rid of U4S and Membership First and any other “party”) that has been created in the last 13 (and the darkest) years of SAG and start working as a GUILD with TRUE SOLIDARITY.
In TRUE Solidarity,
Peter Elliott
SAG Member
Alan, baby… stick a fork in it. You’re the union equivalent of box office poison at this point. Thanks for all you tried to do, but please take a break. It’s time for Martin Sheen.
FEAR NOT! I already have a call into Alan’s agent’s @ Gersh to have them drop everything and get this poor man some work.
I’m not a SAG member but it seems from the outside, that SAG must seriously consider restricting it’s VOTING membership to those who actually earn the majority of their income from acting. If they set a yearly minimum of somewhere between 30 and 50K it would weed out so many members who got a couple lines in a movie 10 years ago. These people should not be allowed to vote on contracts.
The WGA is far from perfect, but at least you have to have sold something fairly big to be accepted into it. So, when it is contract time most of the people voting are voting strictly on the economics of sustaining a career as a writer.
I think if SAG had more stringent voting rules, this would have been settled months ago and with far less internal drama. And they would have gotten a better deal. They should implement them these changes and re-name themselves the WSAG (the Working Screen Actors Guild)>
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.
MARTIN SHEEN. PLEASE. Please run. Save this guild from its current role as the lamest union around. The vote has ended and the time to come together and heal is upon us. Let’s move ahead, smoke a J and ELECT MARTIN SHEEN!
Someone please call Alan Rosenberg and tell him that the best thing he could do for SAG is to resign from the Presidency. He no longer carries any currency with the industry – no influence, no respect, no believability. Step aside, Alan. In fact, you step aside too, Anne-Marie. Go away.
This reminds me of Sarah Palin weighing a presidential bid.
Sorry, guys. The people have spoken.
Scott Barry,
Get a psychiatrist or an education. You come across as an ignorant dolt. Rosenberg fought against a bad contract. It didn’t work out well. He certainly made mistakes but he fought for the right fight. Anyone who thinks this deal is a plum is an idiot or needs psychiatric help. Not coincidentally Scott, you fit both categories. Your silence is golden.
So go use up that residual check. They won’t be around long. This was the AMPTP’s intent but why should you believe the contract you just approved.
Dumbass.
Given how Alan and Patric Verrone were ideological bedmates, I hope this portends a seachange at the WGA as well.
Alan is our Ralph Nader, he’ll run because he has nothing else to do, he’s clinging on to anyway to stay in a spotlight. Sad.
A lot of anger here pointed at Alan Rosenberg by people who seem to think we finally got a great contract that somehow was being blocked by Mr. Rosenberg.
That’s a little revisionist history folks–and the ink isn’t even dry. Mr. Rosenberg has fought tirelessly to get the membership a fair contract.
A membership poll went out and 80% of the membership stated we wanted Mr. Rosenberg and the Board to continue to fight for a better contract–a fair contract.
Some Board members overthrew the power of the President and instead sent the same lousy contract out to the membership for a vote which was tallied today. The membership voted up the contract.
The membership–all of whom were mailed the poll and voted 80% to keep fighting– changed their minds a few months later and voted up the very same contract.
That is the way it went down. Blame yourselves–ourselves–if you like, but Mr. Rosenberg was not the obstacle in this negotiation. The AMPTP was the obstacle. The lousy contract was the obstacle. The desire of the membership for a fair contract was the obstacle.
I certainly accept this final vote of the membership.
This vote was ours to decide and 30% of the membership felt it was an important enough issue to cast a vote. The same with the poll sent out to all members regarding how the president should proceed in the contract negotiations. I think 20 something percent responded to that. The membership has a voice.
When the will of membership changed I’m not sure. But it certainly did change.
I am also certain this contract ballot was not a ballot for the presidential election for the next term.
And having read the contract myself and the newspapers I think by the time the next presidential election comes around anyone will see Mr. Rosenberg was right about this contract. And even if he wasn’t (he was, but for example if he wasn’t) it was the will of the membership every step of the way Mr. Rosenberg was carrying forward.
How is it that someone who is, at best, a C-list actor can be the head of an actor’s union?
No wonder SAG is going under. Just look at how many new fall tv series are going AFTRA!
Just for the record…
Total % of Total # Votes % of Votes
110,000 35% 38,786
YES 25% 27,422 70.70%
NO 10% 11,364 29.30%
Not YES 75% 82,578
Didn’t vote 65% 71,214
Casual observers who are not members of SAG who’s opinions I don’t support, especially over comments about actors who pay their dues and the exorbitant fee just to join, somehow shouldn’t be allowed to vote on contract issues because he or she does a few lines in limited parts over ten years is a much of bunk. We are all in this together or not in it at all. If I were President, it is high time for writer’s, actors and directors guilds to meet with producers at the same time during contract extensions, so that all the issues are decided all for one and one for all! How does a C-list actor become head of an actor’s union? Would you like to talk about the current President of the United States?
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.