More turmoil over at the Screen Actors Guild: A meeting that was supposed to occur Feb. 3 between the union reps and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has been postponed in light of a legal maneuver by SAG President Alan Rosenberg on Monday. Together with his vice president Anne-Marie Johnson, the two reportedly submitted a legal document to SAG that demonstrates their intent to file a lawsuit to reverse the firing of Doug Allen, the union’s former national executive director and chief negotiator. Rosenberg apparently intends to file a lawsuit as soon as Tuesday.
A SAG statement acknowledged receipt of Rosenberg’s intent to file a complaint. Other than to confirm the cancellation of the meeting with AMPTP, the union had no further comment.
On Jan. 26, the moderates on SAG’s national board managed to boot Allen, replace him with two people, and obliterate the negotiating committee. Rosenberg responded with an angry letter posted on the union’s website saying that he and Allen deserved the credit for any gains the new management team achieved in upcoming talks with the AMPTP. "Make no mistake, if this should occur, if there is any gain made, or if we are ultimately able to resist one of the massive roll backs that has been demanded, it will not be due to the skill of this new ‘negotiating team," Rosenberg wrote.
The actors have been working without a contract since June.
Jesus!
Someone should oust Rosenburg. He is going way overboard. This does nothing for the good will of the board. Damn.
He should give it a rest and try to settle a contract. Or resign himself. He is splitting the the union with this maneuvering. Get rid of him now.
I wonder how his wife, Marg Helgenberger, feels about all this?
The writers gave great strike. That’s because you have to have a brain to run a good strike campaign. Actors, nothing more than props with feelings. Should have gotten someone with smarts to run the strike for them.
This is the price you pay when third-rate character actors on a power trip lead a union to the abyss of self-destruction. That’s not meant as a swipe on character actors, but a swipe against both Rosenberg and Johnson, neither of whom are qualified to run a bake sale, let alone a union without a contract. If this doesn’t seal their respective fates as union leaders who need to be removed, nothing will.
And while we’re at it, it’s time for A-list talent to return to running the day-to-day operations of SAG. Why? Because if this union is going to fight for the rights of working actors, better that high profile working actors are the ones leading the charge for their fellow artists. Besides, top-line talent is the only way SAG can decontaminate itself from the stench being left upon it by the likes of Rosenberg and Johnson.
I would like to thank the actors for continuing to work throughout this process. Their faith and goodwill is at least appreciated by some fans. I hope that a reasonable resolution can be reached soon that is acceptable to all parties.
Marg and Alan separated in December 2008. She is probably glad to be rid of him.
Alan Rosenberg deserves to be FIRED. Now. Yesterday. WTF is he thinking?
Alan Rosenberg has caused hundreds of people to be out of work. And now, when we finally have some light at the end of the tunnel and a possible agreement between the actors and the producers, he goes and pulls this crap? Alan Rosenberg doesn’t case about people. Alan Rosenberg doesn’t care about production crew members. Alan Rosenberg only cares about himself, not what is good for the union.
SAG really should just fire Alan Rosenberg already! What are they waiting for?
The man is insane. He needs a serious reality check.
Marg separated from him on November… He’s completely lost.
Marg separated from him on November… He’s completely lost.
Marg separated from him on November… He’s completely lost.
Rosenberg is completely insane!
Enough already. People just want to go to work and move on. Why is the board making this soooo difficult? Their lack of ability to work together has put this industry at another stand still and people are out of work AGAIN, just like the writers strike. People in all areas of the industry and feeling it and it’s just frustrating. Get it together people!!!!
What alternate universe is Rosenberg living in? It couldn’t possibly be this one. In ours, thousands of crew and cast are out of work….AGAIN! This guy’s ego is certainly out of this world.