Actors guild's heavy hitter

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-allen24mar24,1,7026063.story

Doug Allen's bare-knuckle approach could yield gains at contract talks or more labor strife.
By Richard Verrier and Claudia Eller, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers

March 24, 2008

As a union leader in the NFL, Doug Allen was known for the same hit-before-you're-hit mind-set that he displayed on the football field.

The former linebacker for the Buffalo Bills has favored a similar style since touching down in Hollywood more than a year ago as the executive director and chief negotiator for the Screen Actors Guild. Allen has butted heads with A-list actors, the guild's own New York branch, its sister union and powerful agents.

The spats have made him a polarizing figure in the 120,000-member SAG, heightening long-standing tensions between hard-liners and moderates within the notoriously fractious union on the eve of key contract negotiations with studios.

Supporters say Allen, 56, brings a welcome toughness in contrast to former leaders who were perceived as overly accommodating to the Hollywood establishment. Detractors say he's a bully who picks needless fights that have only distracted the union.

The question now is whether his bare-knuckle approach will yield gains at the bargaining table or set the stage for more labor strife. Allen debuts as a Hollywood labor negotiator in talks expected to begin early next month. Although an actors strike is unlikely after the recent writers walkout, studios nonetheless have been bracing for the possibility.

Allen and SAG President Alan Rosenberg already have stated that they intend to wring better concessions out of the studios than those won by the writers or directors. Actors, whose contract expires June 30, want to be paid more from the sales of DVDs and have a say when they are forced to shill for products in TV shows and movies.

FULL story at link.