Post by jag11 on Nov 26, 2008 16:45:27 GMT -5
Screen Actors Guild President Alan Rosenberg said SAG will conduct a strike authorization vote in December, inching the union cmeany to the brink of a strike.
Mr. Rosenberg made the announcement via e-mail and video message Wednesday.
“Now, per the resolution passed by 97% of our newly constituted national board of directors in October, we are launching a member education campaign and we will send out a strike referendum ballot to SAG members in December,” Mr. Rosenberg said in his announcement. “We ask that you support your board and negotiating committee, and vote ‘yes’ to authorize the board to call a strike only if it becomes absolutely necessary.”
SAG has already begun its educational campaign via its Web site with topics related to the strike authorization vote.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers responded with a brief statement.
“SAG's latest mass e-mail fails on three counts: It fails to explain why SAG deserves more than everyone else in the industry, the AMPTP said in the statement. “It fails to justify why SAG members should bail out a failed negotiating strategy by striking during a time of historic economic crisis. And it fails to explain why it makes sense to strike when SAG members will lose more during the first few days of the strike than they could ever expect to gain.”
Mr. Rosenberg blasted those citing the ailing economy as a reason not to strike.
“It’s also curious that these global corporations are preaching to us about the bad economy,” he said. “Like it’s our fault. As middle-income actors we are the victims of corporate greed. We didn’t cause this turmoil.”
Mr. Rosenberg made the announcement via e-mail and video message Wednesday.
“Now, per the resolution passed by 97% of our newly constituted national board of directors in October, we are launching a member education campaign and we will send out a strike referendum ballot to SAG members in December,” Mr. Rosenberg said in his announcement. “We ask that you support your board and negotiating committee, and vote ‘yes’ to authorize the board to call a strike only if it becomes absolutely necessary.”
SAG has already begun its educational campaign via its Web site with topics related to the strike authorization vote.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers responded with a brief statement.
“SAG's latest mass e-mail fails on three counts: It fails to explain why SAG deserves more than everyone else in the industry, the AMPTP said in the statement. “It fails to justify why SAG members should bail out a failed negotiating strategy by striking during a time of historic economic crisis. And it fails to explain why it makes sense to strike when SAG members will lose more during the first few days of the strike than they could ever expect to gain.”
Mr. Rosenberg blasted those citing the ailing economy as a reason not to strike.
“It’s also curious that these global corporations are preaching to us about the bad economy,” he said. “Like it’s our fault. As middle-income actors we are the victims of corporate greed. We didn’t cause this turmoil.”