SAG Interactive negotiating committee chair Michael Bell sent out a strangely worded e-mail alert which he said is not officially sanctioned by the union, but making the rounds nonetheless. Bell says “It has come to the attention of the S.A.G. Interactive Committee, that AFTRA is about to negotiate the Interactive contract without the participation of S.A.G.” Well, [...]
We’ve already posted our interpretation of entertainment lawyer Jonathan Handel’s live interviews last week with Membership First leaders David Joliffe and Anne-Marie Johnson, and with Unite for Strength’s Ned Vaughn. Now Handel has posted his own reactions. Handel called Membership First a continuing disappointment, writing “they have no answer, other than to simply wish AFTRA away and [...]
It struck us, as we were reviewing the Allens Labor Day message, presumably drafted by the new SAG crisis communications consultant Sitrick & Co., that there was something a bit off about the message. Then we thought back to last week’s candidate interviews, and in particular to Membership First leader Anne-Marie Johnson’s statements to Jonathan Handel. Here’s [...]
The Allens have sent out their first salvo on the strike referendum trial balloon in the form of a Labor Day message. Stretching the limits of propriety during an election campaign, the message, we’re sure, wasn’t *really* intended to push people to responding one way or another on the election. It offers another glimpse into [...]
Unite for Strength leader Ned Vaughn provided a sharp substantive as well as stylistic contrast from his Membership First opponents, as Vaughn led off a series of interviews hosted this week by entertainment lawyer Jonathan Handel. Rather than offer specific differences on current negotiating positions, Vaughn said his group believes if it unseats six to [...]
Membership First’s representatives to the Handel interview series divided their time, and showed an interesting contrast in styles, while remaining true to the group’s hard line against the AMPTP, AFTRA and the rest of SAG. By contrast with David Joliffe’s low key sincerity, Johnson was glib, a deft politician turning aside difficult questions adroitly, staying very [...]
