1. A strike authorization means a strike. The producers will not come back to the table over threat of a strike. Talks have been stalled for months and they knew this vote would happen if the mediation process failed, but their position changed very little. They are not afraid of, nor unprepared for a strike. SAG’s negotiators are holding out for terms that no other union got, including increased DVD residuals. That gain alone would require a strike.

2. Not enough leverage. Because the AMPTP has a signed agreement with AFTRA, they can keep right on producing under AFTRA contracts, even if SAG is on strike. 44,000 SAG members already have AFTRA cards and more will join to do the work that’s available. This seriously weakens SAG’s leverage.

3. SAG will lose TV productions (and pilot season) to AFTRA. It’s already happening. As Variety reported, "If they're about to go on strike in mid-January, why would we not do deals with AFTRA wherever possible?" said a senior business exec at a top TV shop. "The short-term mentality of (SAG's) leadership is just staggering to us." Can SAG really afford to say goodbye to pilot season?

4. Our Pension and Health Plans will be damaged. A strike will hurt the plans and would keep many from getting the jobs they need to qualify. And by sending more work to AFTRA, it would make matters worse – struggling and “middle class” actors will have a much harder time qualifying for benefits if their earnings are split between two unions.

5. It’s the economy. A strike requires the support not only of members, but also of other unions and the community. The turmoil created by SAG’s position in the face of a massive economic crisis means that SAG simply won’t have that support. A SAG strike will put thousands of members AND non-members out of work at a time when people are increasingly desperate to keep their jobs.

Danny DeVito &
Rhea Perlman Weigh In...

December 2, 2008

Dear Alan,
We feel very strongly that SAG members should not vote to authorize a strike at this time. We don't think that an authorization can be looked at as merely a bargaining tool. It must be looked at as what it is- agreement to strike if negotiations fail.

We support our union and we support the issues we're fighting for, but we do not believe in all good conscience that now is the time to be putting people out of work.

None of our friends in the other unions are truly happy with the deals they made in their negotiations. Three years from now all the union contracts will be up again at roughly the same time. At that point if we plan and work together with our sister unions we will have incredible leverage.

As hard as it may be to wait those three years under an imperfect agreement, we believe this is what we must do. We think that a public statement should be made by SAG recognizing that although this is not a deal we want, it is simply not a time when our union wants to have any part in creating more economic hardship while so many people are already suffering.

Let's take the high road. Let's unite with our brothers and sisters in the entertainment community and prepare for the future, three years down the line. Then, together, let's make a great deal.

Sincerely,

Rhea Perlman and Danny DeVito