Another Actor voting NO on the SAG TV/Theatrical Contract

[leviathancom]

likes CIA interview

[1SECRETBILLY]

Vote No If you can command the wages in your area and want to make a sustainable living at this craft.If you want to do this as a hobbie .......Vote yes

[1SECRETBILLY]

NYC productions Now in NYC are :Salt,Sorcerer's Apprentice, Bored to Death.Boardwalk Empire,Morning Glory,Untitled Nancy Meyer's,Step up 3 D, A little help,Michael and Michael to mention a few.

[1SECRETBILLY]

Are the yes voters kidding!!!We don't even have a veiled threat of a strike and they say "Let's get back to work "Turn around and look we have 12-15 theatrical productions going now !! Vote no !

[UnionUndergroundACT]

Hi, Poppyseed: You say "the last SAG strike did nothing." I assume you're speaking of the Commercials Strike back in 2000. Here's the "nothing":

-Almost 10% increase in the life of the Contract.

-Fought off the JPC's Class A rollback.

-140% increase in Cable.

-First time ever confirmed Internet jurisdiction.

-1% increase in P&H.

-Increase in Extra's numbers and protections.

- A confirmed agreement that Monitoring needs to be implemented with a coordinated study funded by both sides.

[thepoppyseedscompany]

I got all that but it was well organized and NOT on the cusp of a recession, and reality TV wasn't even an issue. We must adjust for the times and the NETWORKS, big 3, and cable have the upper hand.

[agoodsaid]

I have nothing in this at all - used to date a guy whose ultimate dream was to get into SAG.

Those advocating 'vote yes' are showing their "employee" mentalities. JOB = just over broke - you will forever be at the mercy of unions and tiny boxes that others create for you for as long as you stay in this frame of mind.

Of course there should be creative residuals for any project that continues to bring in revenue. Why would anyone agree to anything less?

Seems pretty straight forward to me.

[thepoppyseedscompany]

I've been SAG since 1990 and I can tell you that the whomever is running shit up in SAG has officially screwed everything up anyway. Remember the LAST SAG STRIKE?? It did nothing. Bottom line, studios will find fresh faces that media loves and use THEM and NOT US! New media is too INFINATE to be asking for something that isn't even here yet...just vote yes so those of us who don't book all that often can live!!!

[RevelationJoeTess]

I'm sorry MrActordad but you don't understand labor negotiations. Once you GIVE SOMETHING UP YOU NEVER GET IT BACK. You will have signed away ALL OF OUR FUTURES including your own for a quick Pay Raise. That makes no sense. We have a contract right now-the old one we've been working under the whole time, which offers much better protections for us all. In 2 years we will have LESS leverage than now because they will have stockpiled material KNOWING we'll try to Strike. There is ONLY NOW--Vote NO

[MrActordad]

If you vote no to worry about new media right now, you are killing sag's hold on network tv where there is money for actors RIGHT NOW! Not maybe in two years, but right now.

They don't have to be fair in two years we will have organized ourselves and will be aligned with all the other unions who are looking at their books to see when and how much they are making on the net.

SO real money now, means VOTE YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vote YES

[MrActordad]

Mr. Harris seems awfully angry for someone sitting in a malibu beach house telling us poor working actors to vote down a contract. WIll you support my family Ed while i wait for a perfect deal???

I'M VOTING YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!

[thepoppyseedscompany]

See that's the ATTITUDE I'm talking bout right there. I agree with MrActordad 100% There is an impression (I'm talking amongst people that don't work in our field) that we are all making scads of money when really, there is only a mere fraction of Actors like ED that work constantly and make a great living doing it. The Actors that book like 2 commercials a and a couple of VO's DON'T!! Who's gonna support them?? We need a contract or a shot at decent work too!!

[SAGDEAL]

GEORGE CLOONEY finally in VOTE NO video. click on SAGDEAL channel.

[TheBigStarz]

BALLOTS ARE DUE!!!

If you haven't already sent your SAG ballot in, send them now and VOTE NO!

This contract is disastrous! The only leverage we have right now is to

VOTE NO!

Send your ballots back now.

Look through your mail, (came in a green envelope) find the ballot. check no and send it in NOW.

WE NEED SOLIDARITY ACTORS!

SAG will survive and we will all thrive if you VOTE NO!!

Thank you fellow actors!

And God Bless!!

[STUNTGIRLdotcom]

Thank you Ed!!! :-))

I have confidence that there are enough smart, mature SAG players that know how to DELAY GRATIFICATION and WILL VOTE NO!

Stand Strong! Don't go for the quick buck now.

Ask yourself..."Why are there unions? Are you not a part of this union?"

Well... if you are a strong, supportive member of this SAG union...then STAND STRONG, STAND TOGETHER and keep this union healthy and intact. Vote NO.

[RevelationJoeTess]

Regardless of the NEXT move, what's in front of you RIGHT NOW is a vote on whether we should DESTROY THE FUTURES of all Members Below STAR level.Once you give it up you NEVER get it back.There is no "2 years from now".Vote this thing in and it's the DESTRUCTION of our careers and FUTURES as actors. You don't throw some people out like TRASH to get a quick Pay Raise.That's sick. The damage is PERMANENT.We'll never get it back. Both sides have flaws, RIGHT NOW we have to protect our own! VOTE NO

[TheSeer100]

VOTE NO!!

There is power in voting no, we can stop the AMPTP and force them to renegotiate!

The labor movement ... is the last noble protest of the American people against the power of incorporated wealth.

Wendell Phillips

[1SECRETBILLY]

If we vote this contract in now the newspaper boy will be able to cash our paychecks.Exactly right Ed we vote Hell No. Thank you much

[RevelationJoeTess]

Regardless of the NEXT move, what's in front of you RIGHT NOW is a vote on whether we should DESTROY THE FUTURES of all Members Below STAR level.Once you give it up you NEVER get it back.There is no "2 years from now".Vote this thing in and it's the DESTRUCTION of our careers and FUTURES as actors. You don't throw some people out like TRASH to get a quick Pay Raise.That's sick. The damage is PERMANENT.We'll never get it back. Both sides have flaws, RIGHT NOW we have to protect our own! VOTE NO

[RevelationJoeTess]

Regardless of the NEXT move, what's in front of you RIGHT NOW is a vote on whether we should DESTROY THE FUTURES of all Members Below STAR level. Once you give it up you NEVER get it back. There is no "2 years from now". You vote this thing in and it's the DESTRUCTION of our careers and FUTURES as actors. You don't throw some people out like TRASH to get a quick Pay Raise. That's sick. The damage is PERMANENT. We'll never get it back. Both sides have flaws, RIGHT NOW we have to protect our own!

[yayayarat]

Just like Alan and Membership First said in 2000 about the commercial strike. They said go on strike - the advertisers NEED US. We have power - WE didn't and the strike killed commercials as we know it forever.

The agency franchise agreement. Alan's Membership FIrst majority said, screw the agents, they will come back to us. They haven't.

This fight, fight, fight, bully, bully tactic of Membership First and Alan Rosenberg needs to be stopped

[RevelationJoeTess]

We have MUCH more leverage NOW than we will ever have in 2 years. Why? Because the Studios haven't been able to stockpile productions right now. In 2 years they'll be so ready for all of us to try to threaten they'll probably have 10 years worth of production in the can. They won't even BAT AN EYELASH when you threaten to strike in 2 years. And at that point YOU WILL HAVE GIVEN UP EVERYTHING, & YOU CAN NEVER GET IT BACK. Pre 71&74 residuals are what some of our Oldest Members USE TO EAT.Vote NO

[yayayarat]

I don't like the pre 71 residuals - NEVER have, BUT what are you giving up? WHy do you think we have leverage? Explain? We don't. We will lose more money as a guild for P&H in the next few years. Money that will never be recouped. Think big picture. We all need to work and not work AFTRA. More work stoppage means more AFTRA work

[RJVideo9999]

Sounds to me like you want old retired actors on a fixed income to starve and die.

[girlygirlindahood]

Go Ed Harris! Voting No is the way to go!

There is a solution - force AMPTP to get back to the tables and renegotiate!

[yayayarat]

spoken like someone who has no clue on business. Listen man, "Force" the amptp back to the table. HA! That is funny. They have deals with all major guilds/unions. SAG is not a concern to them

[TheBigStarz]

A funny side to all of this harrassing by The Rat to all you extras -- it's bound to backfire. The extras will now be voting no!

Not too smart Rat, not too smart!

[TheBigStarz]

Mr. Yayayarat is an employee of Saylor P.R. over in Pasadena. He is being paid to abuse and harrass you all on these boards.

Ignore him -- his arguments are weak.

The truth is the PRODUCERS really DO want to stop paying residuals. It's not in their interest anymore. Eventually, when all content is digitized, the loophole will be that even network TV will not pay residuals.

VOTE NO!

[TheBigStarz]

BTW - I talk to extras all the time on set, they are lovely people and human beings. Ignore Mr. Rat. The name says it all folks! Have a great weekend!!

[yayayarat]

Your right. I am an employer. I have facts, numbers and documented proof on statements made my Membership First and why to VOTE YES, but when the Vote No folks make an argument it is vote because we can get them back to the table. Question is how? Show me our leverage? I am waiting for one of you Vote no people to give me facts of them willing to renegotiate.

[ndatmo]

Did you mean to make a Freudian typo "MY Membership First" instead of "BY Membership FIrst"? Funny.

[STUNTGIRLdotcom]

thanks for the info BigStarz. He was trying to do the same to us over on the tom hanks video.

This is just another example of how disgusting it is, that SAG tolerates, promotes...but more importantly PAYS FOR THIS DESPICABLE BEHAVIOR towards US....THE MEMBERS!!

And to top it all off....with OUR DUES MONEY!

This should encourage more people to VOTE NO...if only for the principle.

[stameyjd]

the following is a message sent to me from yayaya rat:

"The only reason SAG has a background performer is to pay into P&H. You are beyond replaceable."

ANY RESPECTABLE ACTOR WHO TOLERATES THIS BULLSH*T SHOULD RESIGN SAG NOW!

all background actors TAKE NOTICE!

this moron, YAYAYA THE RAT and the rest of the high priced idiots despises you!

they take our money to pad their heath and pension plan which 90% of us can never get!

its time for background to organize our own strike!

[yayayarat]

Listen. It is true. I hate to burst your bubble, but go ask your boys Ed Harris and Martin Sheen to talk to you on set. They won't it is not a vital piece to anything but more money into the union for union extras.

[RevelationJoeTess]

The ONLY vote is a NO vote. What is in front of us RIGHT NOW-this deplorable contract is what we have to deal with FIRST. This Contract signs away the FUTURE of EVERYONE IN THIS UNION BELOW STAR LEVEL. Once you give it away YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BACK. ALL members of this Union deserve protection, not just the elite top %. FIRST we have to vote down this DAMAGING contract, THEN deal with the next phase. VOTE NO FOR ETHICS, CONSCIENCE & YOUR FUTURE. NO NO NO

[RevelationJoeTess]

The ONLY vote is a NO vote. What is in front of us RIGHT NOW-this deplorable contract is what we have to deal with FIRST. This Contract signs away the FUTURE of EVERYONE IN THIS UNION BELOW STAR LEVEL. Once you give it away YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BACK. ALL members of this Union deserve protection, not just the elite top %. FIRST we have to vote down this DAMAGING contract, THEN deal with the next phase. VOTE NO FOR ETHICS, CONSCIENCE & YOUR FUTURE. NO NO NO

[RevelationJoeTess]

"Yayarat" also sent ME a personal message saying "Sorry if you're mad Oldtimer that your career has passed you by. This contract is about the young and healthy". That's a quote. What scum. This Contract is about ALL of us in this Union-the Older Members, the Stuntpeople, Background & ALL the less-than-star level Performers out there who deserve a career & a FUTURE.Vote NO to PROTECT that future, along with everyone elses'.It's the right thing to do, and the SMART thing to do.GREED is disgusting.

[yayayarat]

Ooh...Don't like being called a liar Tess here are my two email to you directly from my sent folder - Why lie? ......

First email is as follows

[yayayarat]

My Message to Tess after you told me die of cancer.

Come up with something different. I don't wish you or anyone else harm, but now you have wished cancer on me among things.

Side note - your posting on David Lawrence is gross. The man has been hired to speak by major companies on the future of technology in entertainment. He is a voice for the technology age in this industry and you..this old timer is bashing him. Its okay. The industry has passed you by.

[yayayarat]

After another cancer wishing raid, I replied with the following:

"Sad. Very sad. Man. I wish you well. We have different views on this, but to wish someone harm is sad. Good luck in life. you need some medical attention to deal with this anger. WOW'

DON'T LIE TESS. IT IS NOT SMART AND DOESN'T HELP

[yayayarat]

JoeTess - Remember. I will not be made out to be a liar. I have challenged you and every other NO vote to come up with rebuttals to my notes and comments. Alan said he had no plan - You call me greedy. I say covered performer, you say I don't care about anyone. I am happy to go point for point with anyone via email or here in public, but to try and corner me as a liar after YOU WISHED ME CANCER is really a lack of ethics and morals. I don't like your vote, but would NEVER wish you death.

[stameyjd]

the following is a message sent to me from yayaya rat:

"The only reason SAG has a background performer is to pay into P&H. You are beyond replaceable."

ANY RESPECTABLE ACTOR WHO TOLERATES THIS BULLSH*T SHOULD RESIGN SAG NOW!

all background actors TAKE NOTICE!

this moron, YAYAYA THE RAT and the rest of the high priced idiots despises you!

they take our money to pad their heath and pension plan which 90% of us can never get!

its time for background to organize our own strike!

[yayayarat]

go ahead. You walk and don't talk on cue and sometimes screw that up.

[stameyjd]

BACKGROUND WILL VOTE NO!

AT THE BACKGROUND MEETING LAST NIGHT WE HAVE DECIDED TO VOTE NO ON EVERY CONTRACT UNTIL OUR NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED!

you superstars have openly called us monkeys on this forum.

we now will flex our strength and vote NO!

SAG came to the background community and begged us to join. we didn't go to SAG.

either protect us or we will vote NO on every contract!

BACKGROUND UNITED FOR FAIR REPRESENTATION

[stameyjd]

BACKGROUND WILL VOTE NO!

AT THE BACKGROUND MEETING LAST NIGHT WE HAVE DECIDED TO VOTE NO ON EVERY CONTRACT UNTIL OUR NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED!

you superstars have openly called us monkeys on this forum.

we now will flex our strength and vote NO!

SAG came to the background community and begged us to join. we didn't go to SAG.

either protect us or we will vote NO on every contract!

BACKGROUND UNITED FOR FAIR REPRESENTATION

[yayayarat]

Extras? I know. Very important

[SAGDEAL]

Unfortunately this contract offer leaves background in the wind allowing the networks to produce some episodics with NO UNION BACKGROUND in the series EVER. Please seem my latrst vid at SAGDEAL channel "Elimination of SAG Background."

VOTE NO.

[yayayarat]

Alan Rosenberg on KPCC

when asked what his plan was — after voting no:

1) go back to the AMPTP for a better offer

2) if [when, that's my editorializing] they dont give a better offer, get a strike authorization

3) go back to the AMPTP for a better offer

4) if they dont give a better offer, STRIKE

When asked about an SAV he said the same thing about not knowing how he would vote — for the strike authorization! So hes not committed even to his no-plan plan.

VOTE YES

[yayayarat]

By the time his "dream scenario" would be complete it would be the end of this year and you are looking at almost 2 years of no raises in minimums. Nothing. That is 6% of money you will NEVER get back. Think about that folks.

That and your leader says he isn't sure if he would even vote for a SAV? Really?? WOW. Sounds like you guys are following a man into a burning building with no protection

VOTE YES

[MelissaAnnRusso]

I think you should turn in your SAG card and become non union. Anyone who is not willing to fight for a better union should not be allowed to reap the benefits once we win this thing.

[MelissaAnnRusso]

I voted NO thanks for this video!!!

[yayayarat]

Melissa, I am a happy and proud SAG member who is willing to fight when there is a fight to be won. First, non union right up until they hire 1 union actor and then the show becomes union. Covers that argument. NEXT?

What are you gonna fight for? I posted earlier what Alan said in public and on radio. He has no plan. He says get a better deal. Great. how? Tell me how you can get your leverage back? SAG is very de-leveraged and can't pass an SAV. Then what> Think the AMPTP will...

[yayayarat]

magically all of sudden say "Ok, you waited long enough and give us more than any other guild got?"  I would love to live in your head to see the fantasyland that you are living in

[MelissaAnnRusso]

yayayarat should turn in his/her SAG card. yayayarat should just work nonunion if willing to accept anything. If yayayaRAT (appropriate name) wants to accept this then turn in your SAG card cause SAG was built on members willing to fight.

[yayayarat]

Nothing like not letting the truth get in the way a good argument. Ed is basically telling half truths and has wrong direction on his statements. Scary

[XciteMe83]

Ed Harris, besides being an obviously great actor, is very intelligent. He speaks the TRUTH God dammit.

[girlygirlindahood]

VOTE NO! VOTE NO!

BTW - all the SAG YouTube Video comments are being monitored and hand picked to be posted, not allowing anything negative. The producer puppets at SAG are scared it won't be ratified!

All the "control & manipulation" is sure to backfire on all the under the table money-taking corrupt producer puppets at SAG.

-- VOTE NO -- VOTE NO -- VOTE NO --

[proverbsgal]

Right On ED!! Common sense is the word here folks!! Don't allow the AMPTP to treat SAG actors like Superman and Elmo on Hollywood blvd. They are screwing with our LIVELIHOODS. Those of you that just got off the bus to Hollywood to pursue your dreams, if this contract is Ratified, get back on the bus and go home cause you WILL NOT survive as an actor. VOTE NO!!!!!

[yayayarat]

Explain how? Please.  Explain how you think that is the case?

[electricwarrioress]

Brilliantly, Eloquently and Truthfully said!!!!

I am a Sag Member since 1972....we MUST vote NO and as Ed Harris says---"have a little courage".

[johndoereport]

The rich actors are selling out the poor actors.

[yayayarat]

Not really. Martin Sheen, Rob Schnieder and Ed Harris. Those POOR actors.

[RevelationJoeTess]

I didn't think it was possible to love Ed Harris more, but... oh, there it is, it just happened.

[SAGDEAL]

I agree, "use our common sense, our sense of justice and maybe a little courage and vote no."

See new video at SAGDEAL channel with specifics on how this contract eliminates SAG Background from some future network episoidcs.

[OroloroSM]

False, the offer does not remove background players

[SAGDEAL]

Just FYI: Oroloro is a producer. From their website: "Oroloro Entertainment was organized by (names removed) for the purpose of developing, financing, producing and marketing... motion pictures. The company name, Oroloro, is a palindrome — a derivative of the Spanish words for "gold" and "parrot — and a registered service mark of Oroloro Entertainment."

[OroloroSM]

Orolor is a group of SAG actors and WGA writers pulling together to get a project of their own off the ground. With no financing in place or history technically Oroloro is not a producer. Has not Mr. Harris produced and directed...Justine Bateman has produced webisodes. What's your point?

[iyannajones]

There are those who fight and those who go long with the program. They think to fight back is a waste of time. But currying favor with the bosses never works. Concede now and come back later with leverage? You've already given up any leverage you might have had if you go along. That's not a righteous stance. As much money as this industry makes the idea of taking away residuals at any point is greedy and unfair. Demand that the union represent its members and not itself.

[OroloroSM]

The no pre-1971 movies/pre-1974 TV issues was approved by the MF run Negotiations committee last may...and no they don't like what they arpoved a year ago? Again, all the facts are not here. Sorry, it didn't bring the emdise of WGA or DGA, and it's a better deal than the Vote NY team wants you to belive. Another mjaor player telling us stuggling actors whats good or not.

[1SECRETBILLY]

We don't need a Sunrise clause to see that we aren't getting our share on residuals.Are we toothless tigers ?Stop infighting and attacking sister unions Vote No !

[1SECRETBILLY]

The only thing worse than a strike is a contract you can't live with!!Forget the east coast/ west coast/ merger / If we don't value our time no one else will Vote No

[IdaliaTom]

Signed92 Guess you'd rather take the advice of people that don't even work the contract. There's a number of reasons that Ed is great and successful; and none of them are because he's dumb and uninformed. Don't worry about it, he knows plenty about the contract and part of being successful is knowing when to say "No," and when not to "Cave In."

[signed92]

0h, boy, another misled celebrity, a great actor... Seriously, Ed where are the facts? Get the AMPTP back to the table? Already been there. the Vote No contingent has kept us from a contract for over 9 months on the hopes the AMPTP will sweetly give us better terms. There strategy failed, failed, failed. We're left with this and the need to rebuild. The draconian claims are not true and are based in assumptions, not fact. Vote YES and move on the fight another day with LEVERAGE.

[kilroyrogers]

Lessee, smart folk like Scott Wilson, Ed Harris, Ed Asner and and many, many more say this contract is a death knell to film acting. PLEASE listen carefully to these guys!

[GretaGreenEyes]

If a better deal COULD have been made, the Vote No group SHOULD have made it a year ago, when they had the chance. The AMPTP has zero reason to give more to SAG than was bargained for by all the other creative Guilds, BEFORE their contracts expired. This "pie-in-the-sky" video has no plan, just more tough-guy rhetoric and the simplified version of 'what's in the deal' ignores the real gains as well as the reality of negotiations. VOTE YES!

[LarryLKelly]

No justice, no peace!

[CastJackson]

Warbad1,

As Mr. Harris says, the plan is to call for a strike *authorization*. An authorization is not a strike; it's raising the stakes in resumed negotiation for a fair deal. "Yes" is a weak surrender.

[dangerkittyfilms]

there are no "stakes to be raised in resumed negotiations" SAG has had ample opportunity to play that hand for the past YEAR.. But instead they spent it with infighting. The AMPTP has the means and the inclination to wait you out. Meanwhile the rest of Hollywood dies on the vine.

[OroloroSM]

There is not plan and the 75% vote needed to enact an SAV will be extremely hard to get, if not impossible. So if we vote no, and don't get the SAV, what next? We've sohtourselve in both feet. Vote Yes.

[SAGDEAL]

When you say "there is no plan" do you mean you weren't listening to the plan? Mr. Harris couldn't have been more clear.

You can continue to try to sell fear, but you can also see the membership isn't buying it.

Read the contract. An educated actor will vote no.

[WillowdanceProds]

Ed Harris explains the problem clearly, gracefully. Let's all turn our gaze upon the problem's source and acknowledge who's really accountable here: Studio execs & studios' lawyers. Let's help these good men & women shift their attitudes & focus on ETHICS. They must leave egos at the door & re-enter the negotiating room. Vote No on this flawed contract to help them commence making it right. Studio decision-makers, you cannot avoid accountability. We're standing tall for you to do the right thing

[Vicmarstar]

I just hope everything turns out well for my fellow actors and I. Yours truly Vic Martino.

[warbad1]

Dear Ed,

There are many good things in this contract, but more to the point, how to change the bad things. You say if the AMPTP says 'no', then we should strike.

But that seems to be the end of your plan. We don't suddenly get what we all want just because we yell strike, especially when the producers have a TV/New Media deal on their desks already.

You do films; I do TV. If we go on a 4 month strike, I loose my house; you take a dip in salary.

That's not a plan. It's a vacation. Vote Yes.

[lappyo]

Thank You ED HARRIS!

[leversofpower]

I have Ed on my side...If I got all the money they owed me, I would be a multi-millionaire and share it with all my Cherished Friends...

Jinx Dawson, singer of Coven and mega hit movie theme song to "Billy Jack:", "One Tin Soldier"