SAG debate nixed amid squabbling
SAG gags on details of debate plan
By DAVE MCNARY
Reflecting the typically contentious campaigning for SAG offices, plans for a public debate among presidential and VP candidates have collapsed.
Event had been tentatively scheduled to take place tonight at the Musicians Union Local 47 auditorium in Hollywood but squabbling over details has resulted in the plug being pulled.
The idea of a debate had been proposed three weeks ago by SAG treasurer Kent McCord, who is challenging prexy Melissa Gilbert. Both Gilbert and challenger Gordon Drake offered initial positive responses but disagreements emerged over media access, costs and the parameters of the debate.
McCord proposed last week that as much press as possible should be invited. “I think that having a lot a press there is actually a very bad idea,” Gilbert said in response. “We want all of our members to have full access to the debate or transcripts thereof before hearing the details excerpted from a non-member’s perspective.”
‘Prohibitive’ costs
Gilbert also said costs of transcription would be “prohibitive” and noted that no parameters had been set for the debate such as time limits on responses and rebuttals, who would supply the questions and who would moderate. And Drake said McCordhad not adequately answered questions concerning costs, format and who was moderating.
In announcing that he had given up the idea, McCord said, “Unfortunately, current SAG leadership has done nothing but place obstacles in the path of this debate and we reluctantly must face the reality that time has run out. I’m very disappointed that our membership will miss the opportunity to hear national candidates participate in a debate about the important issues facing our union.”
When Gilbert campaigned successfully two years ago against Valerie Harper, she was highly critical of Harper’s refusal to debate. In the subsequent runoff election, the only debate occurred when Harper called in to a radio talkshow while Gilbert was being interviewed. Ballots for the current election were sent out in late August and results will be announced Sept. 23.
Backs AFTRA union
Gilbert is presenting herself as a pragmatist who will continue pushing for merger with AFTRA, citing the 58% support for the proposal among members in the July referendum and the need to resolve jurisdictional issues.
Her “Restore Respect” campaign has cited faster residual payments, SAG’s improved financial status, the Global Rule One campaign to insist on SAG contracts on productions outside the U.S. and legislative initiatives on runaway production and health care.
McCord strongly opposes the merger, which he maintains is tilted unfairly to benefit AFTRA, and has blasted Gilbert for what he portrays as a lack of action in re-establishing SAG’s oversight on talent agents and lack of aggressiveness in contract enforcement such as in implementing monitoring of commercials.
The effectiveness of tactics employed by SAG during the six-month commercials strike in 2000 has also come under scrutiny with supporters of Gilbert blaming McCord’s allies for unnecessarily prolonging the work stoppage.
Former SAG veep Gary Epp, who was on the negotiating committee, has called that assertion “outrageous” and insisted that advertisers were responsible for the delays.
Drake, who was national strike coordinator, has positioned himself as an independent and criticized the “celebrity” candidates (and their extensive slates of candidates) for dividing SAG. “In dividing us they have caused irreparable harm to the way in which members interact with our union,” he added.
| Home
| Contact
| Links
| Subscribe
| Classics
| Archive
| Search
| Watchdog Goodies
|