SAG Gathers to Endorse Strike Authorization

LOS ANGELES, December 9:
At a Town Hall meeting yesterday, leaders of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG)
urged members to vote for the authorization of a strike, in a move to force
film and television studios to negotiate.

The meeting
was held to build support for the authorization vote, which will go out to
SAG's 120,000 members. More than 75 percent of those voting would have to
approve for SAG to go on strike. Guild negotiators say the threat of a strike
will pressure studios to restart contract talks. However, some members oppose
the idea of walking out during a recession.

"I was
very gratified by the support from members," said SAG's president, Alan
Rosenberg, after the three-hour meeting. "This isn't about me and what I
earn now—it's about actors who are coming up and their ability to make a
living 20 years from now."

SAG leaders
did not reveal the exact date that the strike ballots will be mailed out. A
similar event is scheduled for December 17 in New York.

—By
Kristin Brzoznowski