SAG Promulgates Online Statement Of Solidarity
Message Supports Tentative Agreement Reached With AMPTP
Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 5/30/2009 2:00:00 AM EDT
Some A-listers have signed an online statement of solidarity for the Screen Actors Guild tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Sally Field and Tom Hanks, who last year opposed a strike authorization vote, are among the 500 signatories for SAG's new statement of support.
SAG members received their ballots May 19 for the new two-year deal, with votes scheduled to be back to the guild by June 9.
SAG national board members, including Adam Arkin, Amy Brenneman, Morgan Fairchild, Dulé Hill, Ken Howard and Kate Walsh have also signed the statement. Former SAG president Melissa Gilbert signed, as did SAG 2nd vice president Sam Freed, SAG 3rd vice president David Hartley Margolin. Other notable that have lent their electronic John Hancocks: Alec Baldwin, Ed Begley Jr., Jane Curtin, Mike Farrell, Patricia Heaton, Kathy Joosten, Rob Lowe, Ian McShane and Sam Waterston.
The SAG statement reads: "I support Screen Actors Guild national board of directors and negotiators, and wholeheartedly recommend that SAG members VOTE YES on our tentative Television and Theatrical Contracts. The agreement provides important gains for members across the country, including a 6.5% increase in wages, additional union jobs for background actors in television programs and motion pictures, increases in major role performer payments, first time ever payments for programs streamed on the Internet and many other protections and provisions for new media. It's time to put our industry back to work. I urge you to VOTE YES on this contract."
SAG has been without a contract since June 30, 2008.
Screen Actors Guild Rejects AMPTP Offer
07/18/2008SAG Nixes AMPTP 'Last, Best, Final' Offer
02/22/2009SAG Members Ratify Two-Year Pact
06/09/2009Studios May Use AFTRA Members For Pilots
12/17/2008SAG Negotiators Call for Strike Vote
10/02/2008
