SAG pushes merger as election gets near

People from the Screen Stars Guild can rely on a push to approve a merger using the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists throughout the following three days because the March 30 balloting deadline gets near. Merger backers are saying the SAG-AFTRA combo increases negotiating strength and represent a foundation fixing the issue of entertainers not qualifiying for coverage under separate SAG and AFTRA health insurance and pension plans. Backers from the combo are scrambling to prevent a repeat from the 2003 defeat, when SAG people spurned an AFTRA merger with a margin of just 1,280 votes -- or 2% lacking the needed 60% while 75% of AFTRA people supported the offer. The 2003 election came 54% of qualified SAG voters. "I am certain that it is going to pass, especially if we are able to get everybody to election," stated SAG First Vice president Ned Vaughn. "Stars are busy people so we are attempting to persuade these to mail the ballots rather than allowing them to take a seat on their desks until it's past too far.Inch Vaughn stated that pension and health continues to be key concern elevated by people. "I believe we are creating a real reference to people on that," he added. The SAG anti-merger forces have filed a suit to bar the election count, alleging the guild has not stuck to the rules in delivering the proposal to people. Competitors staged their fifth consective Thursday mid-day protest while watching SAG headquarters in Hollywood, worrying the combination will dilute the energy of middle-class stars. The merger's been endorsed by over 2,050 people, including George Clooney, Robert DeNiro, Danny DeVito and Tom Hanks. Competitors alleged the merger may benefit producers like the quartet using the admonition "Whether it's great for producers, it's harmful to stars." Vaughn stated that argument comes down to "Balkanizing" SAG by excluding effective stars. "I believe that's antithetical towards the union movement," he added. "And it is not as if Tom Hanks need this merger to occur.Inch SAG's been staging educational conferences round the country since ballots went February. 27 with Wednesday's nights gathering at SAG headquarters drawing about 400. It's slotted a Saturday meet in Santa Further ed, N.M., then Monday events in NY City, Chicago and Cleveland, a March 15 meet in NY, a March 17 gathering in La and March 19 meeting in North Park and Southfield, Mich. March 20 in Cincinnati March 21 in Indiana and March 22 in Columbus, Ohio. Vaughn's among the leaders from the Unite For Strength faction that's centered SAG elections recently having a professional-merger message. He stated the advantages of merging far over-shadow the issues, adding, "It's not hard to be considered a naysayer and pick in the particulars." SAG also send a postcard to people now with title "Keep the benefits safe by looking into making all of us more powerful. Negotiating strength may be the first step toward all union protections including health insurance and pension/retirement benefits." A hearing continues to be looking for March 26 in federal court in La around the anti-merger suit filed by Martin Sheen and 60 other stars. The experience alleges SAG and it is leaders are trying to merge "without performing the required research" while SAG has labeled the suit "a obvious attempt for circumventing the desire from the membership" and "a pr stunt." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com

Holland added to '1600 Penn'

Andre Holland has been added to the cast of NBC's laffer pilot "1600 Penn."Logline centers on the out-of-control oldest son of a dysfunctional family who returns home and becomes not only its biggest liability but also the glue holding everyone together. The twist is that this family resides in the White House.Holland will play White House Press Secretary Marshall Malloy. He is also set to co-star in the Peacock's upcoming midseason comedy "Friends With Benefits," which begins April 4. On the bigscreen, he has appeared in Spike Lee's "Miracle at St. Anna" and baseball pic "Sugar."Others previously cast include Josh Gad, Bill Pullman and Brittany Snow."1600 Penn" is from 20th Century Fox TV. Gad will exec produce with Jason Winer ("Modern Family") and Jon Lovett, who was formerly a speech writer with the Obama administration. Winer will direct the pilot. Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

SAG and AFTRA Send Merger Ballots to Members

SAG and AFTRA Send Merger Ballots to Members By Daniel Lehman February 29, 2012 The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild sent ballots to their approximately 131,000 combined members on Monday. Members may also review the ballot package at SAGAFTRA.org or attend upcoming local informational meetings to ask questions. The packets include pro and con statements about the merger, voting ballots, the merger agreement and constitution, and a pension, health, and retirement feasibility review.Completed ballots must be received no later than 10 a.m. PDT on Friday, March 30."I'm excited and grateful that we now have the opportunity to make this pivotal choice about our future," SAG National President Ken Howard said in a statement. "More than ever, SAG and AFTRA members understand that being divided hurts us, and coming together in one union will strengthen us in every way. This merger will make SAG-AFTRA the largest, most powerful union in the entertainment and media industries and it couldn't come at a better time."More than 1,100 members of both unions have signed a statement of support to endorse the merger. Kevin Bacon, Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Sally Field, Jenna Fischer, Kate Flannery, Tom Hanks, Dul Hill, Jane Kaczmarek, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Wendie Malick, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Jon Turturro, Betty White, and many more have already pledged to vote "yes." (For the complete lists of names and more information, visit SAGAFTRA.org.)Last week, the cast of ABC's "Modern Family" recorded this pro-merger video message: Actor and SAG National Board member Ed Harris, on the other hand, warns SAG members about the dangers of forming one union in his anti-merger video. A site called "SAG-AFTRA Minority Report" was launched to represent those members who oppose the merger. Harris and other union members filed a lawsuit against the merger in February. SAG and AFTRA Send Merger Ballots to Members By Daniel Lehman February 29, 2012 The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild sent ballots to their approximately 131,000 combined members on Monday. Members may also review the ballot package at SAGAFTRA.org or attend upcoming local informational meetings to ask questions. The packets include pro and con statements about the merger, voting ballots, the merger agreement and constitution, and a pension, health, and retirement feasibility review.Completed ballots must be received no later than 10 a.m. PDT on Friday, March 30."I'm excited and grateful that we now have the opportunity to make this pivotal choice about our future," SAG National President Ken Howard said in a statement. "More than ever, SAG and AFTRA members understand that being divided hurts us, and coming together in one union will strengthen us in every way. This merger will make SAG-AFTRA the largest, most powerful union in the entertainment and media industries and it couldn't come at a better time."More than 1,100 members of both unions have signed a statement of support to endorse the merger. Kevin Bacon, Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Robert De Niro, Sally Field, Jenna Fischer, Kate Flannery, Tom Hanks, Dul Hill, Jane Kaczmarek, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Wendie Malick, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Jon Turturro, Betty White, and many more have already pledged to vote "yes." (For the complete lists of names and more information, visit SAGAFTRA.org.)Last week, the cast of ABC's "Modern Family" recorded this pro-merger video message: Actor and SAG National Board member Ed Harris, on the other hand, warns SAG members about the dangers of forming one union in his anti-merger video. A site called "SAG-AFTRA Minority Report" was launched to represent those members who oppose the merger. Harris and other union members filed a lawsuit against the merger in February.