A Divided Hollywood Actors’ Union Regroups Before Voting on Strike

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/movies/24sag.html?ref=arts


Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Opponents: John Cusack, left, Tom Hanks and Susan Sarandon are among about 1,500 actors, many of them prominent, who have signed a petition against authorizing a strike.


By BRIAN STELTER
Published: December 23, 2008

Facing internal strife over stalled contract negotiations, Hollywood’s largest union decided late on Monday to postpone plans for a strike authorization vote and instead called for an emergency meeting of its national board in Los Angeles next month.

The abrupt change in plans by the Screen Actors Guild reflected fierce disagreements within it about the wisdom of seeking strike authorization during an economic recession.

In recent weeks scores of boldface-name actors have endorsed a petition urging members to reject a strike; many others have expressed support for the measure. The union has doubled down on an information campaign urging members to vote yes.

The authorization vote had been scheduled to begin with the mailing of ballots on Jan. 2, and was to last three weeks. Alan Rosenberg, the president of the union, said two weeks ago that approval of the strike authorization would send “a strong message” to the studios.

But opposition to a strike has stifled the union’s negotiating abilities. The actors’ contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, which represents Hollywood’s major production companies and studios, expired on June 30.

“In light of the sharp and sudden opposition of so many of our members, it would have been reckless to go ahead without thinking twice,” said Ned Vaughn, a leader in the union’s Hollywood-based Unite for Strength faction.

FULL story at link.