Candidates Vie As SAG Ballots Due Tuesday

In the last week of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) national election, members casting ballots can view an accompanying guild voter's guide, sent only to voting members. It includes candidates' statements more subtle than their campaign websites.

The guide contains single-paragraph overviews of each candidate's position on issues. Here's a look at the three candidates for the national presidency—Gordon Drake, Melissa Gilbert, and Kent McCord—and the two running for the SAG/New York presidency—Eileen Henry and Eric-Anders Nilsson.

Drake continues his call for members to "vote rank and file," criticizing his "celebrity" opponents and their slates for dividing the guild "to opposite sides of the political spectrum." He promises to end the political infighting.

"Vote for better services and affordable healthcare, not expensive referendums followed by inaction," Drake says. Both he and McCord have chided Gilbert and her board of directors for spending SAG dues to conduct two referendums—the talent agents' franchise agreement and the consolidation with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)—both of which failed.

Gilbert, SAG's current national president, states, "I am simply not finished yet" in serving as exec. "I won't be finished until we find a way, once and for all, to combine SAG and AFTRA." SAG fell 2% short of a needed 60% majority of guild voters to approve the consolidation earlier this year.

She also lists the need for runaway production legislation, as well as a federal law protecting working children "similar to legislation we recently passed in New York." She notes her chairmanship of SAG's young performers committee.

McCord, the current national treasurer, homes in first on experience, citing 42 years "in the business," 31 years of guild service, 14 years on the board, and the Ralph Morgan Award, the guild's highest honor for service to the union. A constant critic of the guild leadership for secrecy, he calls for openness; cites the threats of runaway production and media consolidation. He closes by stating, "We don't need to be bigger to confront these challenges," referring to his opposition to the consolidation vote.



New York View

Henry, the current SAG/NY prez, first notes her national guild positions as 2nd national v.p., a member of the national executive and finance committees, and co-chair of the commercial-contract negotiations, which begin next week in New York. She cites SAG/NY administration accomplishments including hiring a New York lobbyist for legislation; passage of the COBRA health-insurance subsidy bill and the Coogan bill, and "ending the 3-voucher system." Her priorities include continued work for consolidation with AFTRA, and "smart negotiations" on the commercials pact and next year's TV/theatrical contract. She encourages voting for the USAN candidates, the Gilbert slate.

Nilsson, a member of McCord's Membership First slate, opens by saying, "SAG is saved and should be stronger and healthier," a reference to the narrow defeat of consolidation. He vows to "fight for more SAG jobs and healthcare for all," and to enforce SAG contracts. He wants to fight runaway production, as well as "racism, sexism, homophobia, ageism, corruption and the wasting of our dues money."

Ballots are due Tues., Sept. 23, and will be counted the same day.