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SAG's slate of candidates still secret. Could we have another three-way

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Date: Tuesday 7/21/2009

This article from Variety (7/20/09) SAG's slate of candidates Membership First coalition to announce Sunday By DAVE MCNARY Despite a fast-approaching Thursday filing deadline, the two factions within the Screen Actors Guild have continued to keep their slate of candidates for the guild's September elections under wraps. The Membership First coalition, which is aiming to regain control of SAG's national board, has opted to announce its slate Sunday at a fund-raiser at the Beverly Hills home of board members Joe Bologna and Renee Taylor. SAG prexy Alan Rosenberg and secretary-treasurer Connie Stevens are hosting the event along with eight co-hosts: Barbara Eden, Dick Van Patten and national board members Scott Bakula, Anne De Salvo, Joely Fisher, Lainie Kazan, Nancy Sinatra and JoBeth Williams. The bad news for Membership First is that even if they get every available seat, they will still be in the minority since in Hollywood UFS party will still control six seats on the National Board. There only hope would be to gain some seats in both NY and the branches---pretty much of a long shot, especially in the branches which are under the thumb of AFTRA due to their control of branch shared offices. Since Rosenberg said conditionally six weeks ago that he'd seek a third two-year term, no one else has stepped forward to run for president. First VP Anne-Marie Johnson has admitted her name is under consideration as a Membership First candidate but has also stressed that no final decision has been made. According to the Ol’ Dog’s sources President Rosenberg will not run again. Of course, things can always change, but the way it stands right now, if UFS enters a presidential candidate, it will be a three way race much as it was in 2005. Membership First plans to run a full slate of candidates in Hollywood -- where moderates from Unite for Strenght wrested control of the national board last fall -- along with slates in New York and Chicago. About a third of the 71 seats are up in the election, with results due to be announced Sept. 24. The Unite for Strength faction, which has a slim majority on the national board in a coalition with board members from SAG's branches, hasn't yet revealed any of its candidates. Rumors on possible presidential candidates have included national board members Adam Arkin and Morgan Fairchild, alernate national board member Ned Vaughn, Jason Alexander and former secretary-treasurer James Cromwell. Cromwell has publicly stated that he will not run. Of the other possibles, it would seem that Jason Alexander would be the strongest choice. The overwhelming 78% ratification of SAGs feature-primetime contract -- despite fervent opposition by Rosenberg and Membership First -- has convinced many that the moderates will prevail in the election. But voting by SAG members has remained unpredictable over the past decade. Actually the 78% ratification is underwhelming when you consider past SAG collective bargaining agreements which usually are in the mid to high 90 percent, except when Restore Respect, USAN, UFS board members control negotiating contracts. But, even so, if the “Work For Food” leadership keeps control of SAG, its membership will be dealing less and less with accountants, and more and more with craft services. Burp! Like this article? Variety.com has over 150,000 articles, 40,000 reviews and 10,000 pages of charts. Subscribe today! http://www.variety.com/emailfriend or call (866) MY-VARIETY. Can't commit? Sign up for a free trial! http://www.variety.com/emailfriend --- A.L. Miller SW Editor & Chief

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