The Screen Actors Guild is sending out strike authorization votes to it’s members this week. According to Variety…..
The Screen Actors Guild will send out its strike authorization vote to members next month, making it possible for actors to strike as early as January — prompting a bitter response from the majors.In a message to SAG’s 120,000 members sent Wednesday, SAG president Alan Rosenberg said a strike would be called by the national board “only if it becomes absolutely necessary.”
“Your leadership believes that we must be empowered with the real threat of a work stoppage in order to let management know that we are committed to protecting the future of all actors,” he wrote. “We ask for your support, knowing that you have entrusted us to fight for your rights, and to protect your wages, working conditions and your health and pension benefits. We take your trust very, very seriously and will work towards reaching a fair agreement without a work stoppage.”
Please read the article in Daily Variety.
What do you think about a SAG Strike?
The producers are counting on misinformation and the economic situation to stick it to the actors over the New Media issues. People don’t understand what’s at stake for the actors as we move into the on-line entertainment age. The producers want to bust the union, cut out major parts of the residuals for new media shows. Actors depend on residuals for up to 50% of their income. When DVD’s first came in, when when videotape first came in, the SAG cut the studios a break to “see what happens.” They regretted both moves later. They do not want to be fooled again.