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SAG Postpones Strike Vote

Union schedules meeting to iron out division

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 23, 2008 11:27 AM CST
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(Newser) – Facing dissent in the rank-and-file, the Screen Actors Guild is delaying a member vote to authorize a strike, the Los Angeles Times reports. The union’s board will push back balloting slated to begin January 2 to “address the unfortunate division and restore consensus” at a special meeting January 12, said SAG’s executive director. "This will provide us with more time to conduct member education and outreach on the referendum before the balloting,” Douglas Allen wrote to members.

A strike requires the support of 75% of the union’s 120,000 members, but more than 130 prominent actors, including Tom Hanks and George Clooney, have openly opposed the idea, and SAG’s New York contingent told Allen to forget about it. Union leaders want a strike authorization to give it leverage in contract negotiations with studios, and almost 100 celebrities support the idea, saying that the current offer could hurt actors in the digital realm.

Actor Kosta Arpopoulos holds a sign as he waits to enter the Hollywood room to participate in the Screen Actors Guild vote at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood, California on Thursday Dec. 17, 2008.
Actor Kosta Arpopoulos holds a sign as he waits to enter the Hollywood room to participate in the Screen Actors Guild vote at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood, California on Thursday Dec. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Hector Mata)
Screen Actors Guild Executive Director Doug Allen talks about current negations with employers Wednesday, June 25, 2008 in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles.
Screen Actors Guild Executive Director Doug Allen talks about current negations with employers Wednesday, June 25, 2008 in the Sherman Oaks area of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
SAG president Alan Rosenberg speaks as, from left, Marg Helgenberger, Willie Garson, Kate Flannery, Lisa Ann Walter, Doug Allen, and Keith Carridine look on, Monday, June 9, 2008, in Los Angeles.
SAG president Alan Rosenberg speaks as, from left, Marg Helgenberger, Willie Garson, Kate Flannery, Lisa Ann Walter, Doug Allen, and Keith Carridine look on, Monday, June 9, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Actor Tom Hanks poses on the press line at One Night Only...With a Little Help From Our Friends benefiting UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008.
Actor Tom Hanks poses on the press line at "One Night Only...With a Little Help From Our Friends" benefiting UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Zebraone
Dec 22, 2008 11:58 PM CST
Strike, you dumb asses and see what it gets you~~~ The undying emnity of producers, the dislike of strike tactics by the public and then go join the long lines of the unemployed who work for a loving!!!

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television • film • union • vote • contract negotiations • studios • referendum • Screen Actors Guild • actors' strike • meeting

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