Timing of SAG strike authorization vote may aid passage
At the end of December, strike authorization ballots will be distributed to almost 100,000 Screen Actors Guild members. If approved by three-fourths of returned ballots, and SAG's board, it would be second stab at the entertainment industry after the writers strike last year. Many are wondering why the union is choosing to delay the vote, which will in turn occur over the holidays. Some speculate that SAG, which has seen numerous disagreements by leadership over strategy and contract demands, is aiming for a smaller turnout targeted at unemployed members with less to lose from a strike. In theory, holding the vote over the holidays might mean working members couldn't access mail sent to their closed managers' offices. The union contends, however, that the delay is necessary for educational campaigning on the issues, and to garner membership support for a strike.
See "Timing of SAG strike authorization vote may aid passage", Richard Verrier, Los Angeles Times, December 7, 2008