SAG begs producers to come back

Thank you. So do you. I like the idea of getting for an example something like a 6 month contract (detailed & signed) to revisit after 6 months-the economy should be better by then.(Heard they didn't go revisit the DVD contract in the past, can understand y many r hesitant to trust.) did they say 'oh our studio projections division has no clue how the dvd market will develop-will see in a couple of years.'

Also we cannot let the state of economy scare us from getting a fair deal. For them to use the economy is one of their negotiations tactics.

It is wise for many SAG members to get some training
in this, maybe the AFL CIO can give some workshops
because even the Board need to have those tools. Working actors maybe too tired to care bout the politics of this but speaking up is not wrong.

Also, the purpose of voting for a strike has been mislead with misinformation. The union leaders were not calling for a strike but to vote on to authorize a strike if needed as a bargaining tool. Labor negotiations are very different from agent/studio deals for the actors. Top actor/producers making nice & supressing speaking up is a set back to any labor movement.

We at LJ are for win win solutions but if studios are constantly trying to cut corners & do only what is best for them, then we have to point what is best for SAG too.

Also new media is developed. New Online structures & shows are popping up besides studio generated ones. So how can mgmt say they still need to develop it to see how the online market will grow 'oh' cause those poor babies do not seem to know. That gives a clue that those who negotiate for the studios have best interest of their owners/job pressure.

This is not a TV show, it is reality. It is bullying by studios who has a production schedule & a bottom line. It could be subtle threats that studios will give actor/producers regarding pending projects. etc If we do not take a stand now, then when? It seems the producerstudios hav not earned trust.

Then the ultimate question: why do we need a guild that is not really a union?

You've got a lot of good points, I just think that this is not the time flex the union muscle. If SAG did try to call a strike and the rank and file didn't go for it (because of the economy) that would do irreparable damage to the union. The studios could offer whatever they wanted at that point.

They really need to take the current offer, but limit the contract period, so that when the economy is good and the studios don't want a slow down SAG would actually have some leverage to bargain with.

uh woo producers? well at least he wasn't for rolling over and playing dead when the studios demanded it.

so studios want someone influencialable do they?

Fair solutions are imperative looking at all sides but not at the cost of the working actors, poor actors who do not get enough jobs to qualify for healthcare & those who are left behind. Studios will make deals with agents for their Celeb actors but there is no one to look after the working actor.

Either the whole system has to be restructured to accomodate the needs of new media or a fair solution that can help 90% percent of the membership.

If we are unhappy with a deal, we should not settle for it. That is fair negotiations. Studios/producers need to be held accountable for their irresponsible ways, broken promises & using performers.

They got up quietly probably to use hidden actions to cut off those who speak up. They will try to give incentives to non-union but there will be help.

I can't belive that small percentage is trying to take a coup over our elected official-the voice of the poor actor-Alan Rosenberg

Rights are there because past union members fought for them, they were not given.