A portrayal of an Atlanta encounter, and challenge, between SAG President Alan Rosenberg and AFTRA President Roberta Reardon appeared on the SAG actor Bulletin Board. Here is Steve Barr’s Post.
Posted: Yesterday at 9:13 am Post subject: CRICKETS....
I saw Alan Rosenberg Tuesday night, and he told the story of what happened at the recent Atlanta S.A.G/AFTRA joint Membership Meeting. He said he was seated on one side of the stage with some S.A.G folks, and Roberta ('SAR' 'Stealth Acting resume') Reardon was seated on the other side of the stage -- with some AFTRA folks.
At one point in the evening, (Q+A, I think) several of the Members in Atlanta were asking very pointed and angry questions to those seated on the stage.
The topic was the AFTRA/S.A.G situation, and as Alan described it the questions and comments ran the gamut from..."Why can't my two Unions get along?"...to..."A pox on both your houses!"...to..."Can't we merge?", as well as other questions and comments.
At some point during this exchange Alan Rosenberg said he looked at Roberta Reardon and made the following statement... "I understand the anger and frustration. I am here on the stage with AFTRA's President. If she will agree to not undercut any S.A.G contracts, I will agree in the presence of you all that S.A.G will not undercut any AFTRA contracts, nor will S.A.G attempt to widen it's jurisdiction into AFTRA territory if AFTRA will pledge to do the same...What do you say Roberta Should we shake hands on this in front of all these Members? ?"
Then, I'm told, Ms. ('SAR') Reardon looked straight ahead, like a statue -- frozen, without even a blink. And her verbal response? CRICKETS. Nothing.
It was like she was deaf and had not heard the question. Is there anyone who was in the hall in Atlanta that night who would like to respond?
THE FACT is that S.A.G does not want to poach anything that belongs to AFTRA. AFTRA will not agree to do the same with S.A.G. Now -- who is the aggressor?
Actress Sharon Blackwood confirmed Mr. Barr’s portrayal of what occurred.
Posted: Yesterday at 1:32 pm Post subject:
i was at the meeting in Atlanta. Not only did Alan make the offer, he also offered to use the power of SAG to help AFTRA organize CNN, which would have a huge effect in Atlanta. Ms. Reardon stared straight ahead and did not acknowledge any offers from Mr. Rosenberg.
I was floored. The President of SAG NY was seated next to Ms. Reardon and could have been somewhat of a mediator, but chose not to do so. Instead he kept talking about merger. I would love to see merger but as they say-the devil's in the details.
Anne-Marie Johnson was also there. IMHO Alan kept trying to engage Ms. Reardon in a constructive way but was completely ignored. Naturally he got a little testy. I don't think I could have handled it as well as he did.
I referred to an AFTRA pilot that I had auditioned for the week before and was amazed that the rate was 20% under SAG rates.
I told her that I didn't care what justification she gave, the fact is that the contract undercut SAG.
Ms. Reardon could say nothing. As far as Phase One is concerned, the document includes basic cable. Since this has not been negotiated under Phase One, there is no Phase One as far as I'm concerned. In Atlanta most of us would like to see merger-Equity, AFTRA and SAG-since most of us work under all three jurisdictions. And yes, we would like to see the two unions get along. But after last Monday night I put my money on SAG.
It’s time for SAG to enforce its jurisdiction and stop AFTRA’s poaching, low-balling of SAG’s contracts, and residual giveaways.
A.L. Miller SW Editor & Chief
www.sagwatchdog.ccom
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SAG President Alan Rosenberg’s challenge freezes President Roberta Reardon at membership meeting in Atlanta.
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