Boards are being posted n the woods of woe that the SAG is set to strike. We get wind of this dismal update thanks to the professionals at Variety.
The Screen Actors Guild will send out its strike authorization vote to members next month, making it possible for actors to strike as early as January — prompting a bitter response from the majors. In a message to SAG’s 120,000 members sent Wednesday, SAG president Alan Rosenberg said a strike would be called by the national board “only if it becomes absolutely necessary.”
“Your leadership believes that we must be empowered with the real threat of a work stoppage in order to let management know that we are committed to protecting the future of all actors,” he wrote. “We ask for your support, knowing that you have entrusted us to fight for your rights, and to protect your wages, working conditions and your health and pension benefits. We take your trust very, very seriously and will work towards reaching a fair agreement without a work stoppage.”
I understand the need to strike, but in this case I would personally want to hold off until the current economic “tsunami” is over.
Sadly, from where I sit, it looks like a strike is going to be inevitable. The studio may have to cave on this one just to ensure the business dollars for the California economy. People need the jobs right now and squabbling over percentages in this current climate isn’t kosher. I’m all for sticking it to the man and getting fair pay for fair work, but now is not the time to take a stand. The Union will have a much harder time shoring up public support when so many laid off from the manufacturing sector are looking for work.
In all sincerity, I hope this prophecy remains unfulfilled.
Stay tuned for strike news!
