Press Releases 2003

Los Angeles - In yet another example in a pattern of scams intended to prey on the most vulnerable members in the entertainment industry, SAG members have reported a seemingly growing trend of vouchers being bought and sold over the Internet on various websites. Such fraudulent activity undermines the livelihood and organizing efforts of all SAG members. This is a clear violation of SAG rules, and it will not be tolerated.

LOS ANGELES --- Screen Actors Guild (SAG) today announced the appointment of Seth Oster to the newly created position of deputy national executive director for communications. A veteran communications professional, Oster will report to SAG National Executive Director and CEO A. Robert Pisano and will be responsible for overseeing all of the organization’s internal and external communications. Oster will also serve as a primary public spokesperson.

September 29, 2003

Executive Summary

For the first time since the performer unions raised the issue of commercials monitoring in the late 1970's, the advertising industry and the unions have identified common interests with respect to monitoring television and radio commercials and have initiated substantive actions to address the issue.

Union Presidents Gilbert and Connolly call on members to “match strength with strength” by approving consolidation plan

(Hollywood) – SAG and AFTRA today released the following statement from Presidents Melissa Gilbert and John Connolly in response to the FCC’s approval of the loosening of restrictions on media ownership:

$100,000 Grant Provided by Verizon

Melissa Gilbert, Esai Morales, Elliott Gould, Mitchell Ryan, Barbara Bain, Bonnie Bartlett & William Daniels, renowned children’s authors Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault and Nina Laden, LAUSD Superintendents and Board members, LA City Council members scheduled to attend.

WHAT: High-profile members of SAG and AFTRA announce that they are voting YES for Consolidation of the two Unions; also available for one-on-one interviews. Ballots were mailed to memberships of both Unions on June 9 with a return date of June 30.

WHEN: Monday, June 16, 2003

TIME: 11am

WHERE: SAG Hollywood-James Cagney Boardroom, 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

WHO:

SAG President, Melissa Gilbert

AFTRA President, John Connolly

Meredith Baxter (Family Ties)

SAG Members Who Led The 1998 SAG-AFTRA Anti-Merger Campaign Now Voice Strong Support for 2003 Consolidation and Affiliation

WHAT: Leading members of the 1998 "Save SAG" campaign announce they are voting YES for Consolidation and explain why the 2003 Consolidation Plan is a better, more comprehensive plan with solutions to the problems actors face today. Monday will also be the re-launch of the www.savesag.org website endorsing the proposed SAG-AFTRA Consolidation & Affiliation.

WHEN: Monday, May 19, 2003

TIME: 11am

WHAT: Members in favor of the SAG/AFTRA Consolidation Plan explain why the 2003 Consolidation Plan is a better, more comprehensive plan with solutions to the problems actors face today.

WHEN: Wednesday, June 4, 2003

TIME: 11:00am

WHERE: 5757 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

WHO: SAG President Melissa Gilbert, former SAG President Barry Gordon, board members Morgan Fairchild and Marcia Strassman, and Michael Gross.

RSVP: Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, SAG 323-549-6701 or 818-442-1102

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For IMMEDIATE Release:

Contact: Ilyanne Morden Kichaven 323-549-6701

Jayne Wallace 212-863-4260

SAG-AFTRA JOINT STATEMENT:

Gilbert and Connolly:

“Employer resistance to consolidation is no surprise.”

Health and pension report states “no critical barriers” to combining plans

Los Angeles – Melissa Gilbert and John Connolly, presidents of SAG and AFTRA, today released the following statement:

Supporter Statements

Supporter Statements

Citing urgent need for greater strength in the face of industry changes, Robert Redford, Gregory Peck, Meryl Streep, Billy Crystal, Michael J. Fox, Randy Newman, Sam Moore and Bonnie Raitt announce plans to vote “YES”

Top Names Joining Unions’ Members in Campaign to Build New “Partnership for Power”

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More than Two Hundred Actors, Broadcasters & Recording Artists Have Signed On Including: Angela Bassett, Jackson Browne, Nicolas Cage, Kevin Costner, George Clooney, Bob Edwards, Hector Elizondo, Danny Glover, Tom Hanks, Marlee Matlin, Willie Nelson and Kevin Spacey.

LOS ANGELES--The Screen Actors Guild National Board of Directors voted unanimously, on April 14, 2003, to support the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) in its "Keep New York Radio Live" campaign. AFTRA is in negotiations with several stations owned by Clear Channel in New York. AFTRA has been attempting to negotiate a renewal contract with WLTW since March 2002; with WKTU since December 2000; with WWPR since June 2001, and WAXQ since November 2002.

Member Referendum in June

LOS ANGELES (April 13) –The AFTRA National Board of Directors and the SAG National Board of Directors, in separate meetings, voted overwhelmingly to approve and recommend a plan to consolidate the two unions into a new organization with three Affiliates. The boards voted today after jointly receiving a presentation on Saturday from the national presidents and national executive directors of SAG and AFTRA. (The actual resolutions passed by both boards are attached.)

NEW YORK -- Wrapping up three days of work on various charter documents and issues related to the proposed Consolidation and Affiliation of AFTRA and SAG, the Joint Committee announced it has finalized the recommended Constitutions and By-Laws for the new union and its three affiliates. These documents outline the governance structure, membership requirements and other items related to the operation of the four entities, and will be submitted to the National Boards for approval at a joint videoconference on Saturday, April 12.

Affiliates to be SAG, AFTRA and AFRA

NEW YORK – The SAG AFTRA Relations Task Force and the AFTRA Strategic Alliances Committee – comprising the Joint Committee -- announced today decisions on recommended names for the proposed new union and affiliates.

LOS ANGELES--Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director/CEO A. Robert Pisano announced today that Michelle Bennett has been promoted to the position of national director of Guild governance. Bennett reports to Deputy National Executive Director for Planning and External Affairs, Pamm Fair.

Actors’ Equity is engaged in an ongoing campaign to organize Non-Equity touring productions. To date, many of these productions have apparently refused to sign a contract with Actors’ Equity. Rule 9 of the SAG Constitution and By-Laws states: