On Monday, 12/22/08, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) stated it has postponed a strike-authorization vote that was originally set for January 2nd, 2009 and now will not happen until after the board meets for an emergency pow-wow on January 12th and 13th.
Mega stars like Mel Gibson, Holly Hunter have lent their backing to SAG but there are plenty of other mega stars that have urged not to even think of a strike at this time because of what could happen to the business in these economic times.
SAG’s leadership stated Monday, 12/22/08 and posted on the SAG website “As 2008 winds down I am hopeful that 2009 will bring us a fair contract and labor peace. I truly believe that if we move forward in unity with the collective strength of 122,000 professional actors behind us, we will achieve our goals. I implore you to learn as much as you can about the issues at stake, and stand with us and grant the board a strike authorization.”
What about the strike authorization vote? SAG leadership says the ballots will go out after the special meeting concludes January 13th and take place over a three-week period. The union leadership is taking the position that the vote will still take place and that all that is needed is better "member education and outreach." That, of course, avoids the obvious situation that there is a deep rift within SAG on whether the vote should even take place.
RBR/TVBR observation: This is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. This is not the time to strike and be out of work or stopping work. Get back to the table and talk because SAG and the motion picture/television business will not be bailed out by the government.
RBR/TVBR SAG reports
Studios: Maybe we don’t need SAG
SAG torn by membership split
A-list stars oppose SAG strike vote
