SAG faction calls for contract vote

January 22, 2009 Nine days after a group of SAG moderates failed to oust national executive director Doug Allen, the guild's hard-line faction MembershipFirst has issued a statement supporting Allen and called for the AMPTP's offer for a new TV and film contract to be sent to members for a straight up-or-down vote. After a 28-hour board meeting failed to force Allen from his job, he issued a compromise to the moderates: suspend the strike-authorization vote and send the producers' offer to members. Sam Freed, SAG's second national vp and president of the New York board, said last week: It is irresponsible and cynical at best to suggest that the guild could send out a contract referendum to the members with a neutral recommendation.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.