Report: SAG Members Want to Oust Guild's Negotiators

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ktla.com/landing_topstories/?Report--SAG-Members-Want-to-Oust-Guilds-=1&blockID=169170&feedID=1198

Associated Press

December 31, 2008

HOLLYWOOD -- A group of Screen Actors Guild board members are expected to push for the removal of the union's negotiators in an attempt to break the six-month deadlock between actors and the studios, it was reported Wednesday.

The move could undermine the guild's leadership, which some fear is bringing Hollywood to the brink of another strike, the Los Angeles Times reported.

A coalition of moderate board members are reportedly clashing with guild President Alan Rosenberg and the lead negotiator, Doug Allen, SAG's executive director.

The group, known as Unite for Strength, is expected to call for disbanding the union's negotiating committee at a Jan. 12 meeting, according to the Times.

They also plan to vote against holding a strike referendum, and instead replace current negotiating team with a "task force" appointed by the board, the Times reported.

The union decided to delay a strike-authorization vote until after the Jan. 12 meeting following pressure from a group of high-profile actors.

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