SAG-AFTRA Announces Full List Of Eligible Candidates For Inaugural Union Election
SAG-AFTRA tonight put out the full list for its first National election since last year’s merger. With every single office in the national union in play, it is a big list. Partially because of that, SAG-AFTRA has not made clear affiliation to particular slates. In summary, the candidates for National President in alphabetical order are Paul Edney, Ken Howard, Marilyn Monrovia, and Esai Morales. And the candidates for National Secretary-Treasurer are Amy Aquino and Jane Austin. (See below or the 2013 SAG-AFTRA Candidate Elections webpage.)
As previously announced, current SAG-AFTRA co-president Ken Howard is running for the solo National President spot. Even though he’s not part of the slate, Howard is endorsed and is endorsing the NY-based USAN offering, which includes current NY Local President Mike Hodge and Under The Dome’s Samantha Mathis among its candidates. Former NYPD Blue actor Esai Morales, a MembershipFirst anti-merger activist and SAG National Board member, also is running for National President with stuntwoman Jane Austin vying for the sole National Secretary-Treasurer spot. With USAN’s dominance in NY, anti-merger activists are not running candidates there.
Along with Amy Aquino who is running for the sole National Secretary-Treasurer slot, Howard has the same endorsement deal with the LA-based Unite For Strength slate, which he led for the past four years. His present co-President Roberta Reardon is running for NY Local President and the pivotal National Executive Vice President with her newly formed NYC4U slate. Candidates in the Michigan, Nashville and Portland local elections ran unopposed and results will be announced next week. National officer ballots will be mailed to all eligible SAG-AFTRA members nationwide on July 16, with a return deadline and tabulation on August 15. The EVP post and the regional VP positions will be voted on at the inaugural National Convention in Downtown LA on September 26-29.
The election comes as former SAG President Ed Asner and other anti-merger activists filed suit in late May against the union over what they claim is $110 million in undistributed residuals and royalties in their attempt to keep scrutinizing the merged union. Here is tonight’s announcement:
2013 SAG-AFTRA Candidate Elections
Los Angeles (July 12, 2013) – SAG-AFTRA today released the official rosters of candidates for its upcoming elections.
National president and national secretary-treasurer positions are up for election, both of which carry two-year terms. All national board seats are up for election this year, along with all local officer, local board, and convention delegate positions.
The executive vice president and other vice presidents will be elected at the inaugural SAG-AFTRA Convention in September.
National officer ballots will be mailed to all eligible SAG-AFTRA members nationwide on July16, with a return deadline and tabulation on August 15. Election results are expected to be announced that evening. The same schedule will apply to the Los Angeles and New York Local elections. Schedules vary for other local elections.
The candidates for national president are Paul Edney, Ken Howard, Marilyn Monrovia, and Esai Morales. The candidates for national secretary-treasurer are Amy Aquino and Jane Austin.
Candidates in the Michigan, Nashville and Portland local elections ran unopposed and results will be announced next week.
Voter Guides for the national officer elections and for each local with contested elections can be found on the 2013 SAG-AFTRA Candidate Elections webpage.
2013 National Officers Election
National President – 2 year term
01. Paul Edney
Born and raised in England before moving to USA. I spent 15 months in Iraq 2007-8. Currently completing my Masters degree in Communication. I have appeared in over 65 SAG/AFTRA productions, mostly Background, but also Principal and Featured roles. www.imdb.com/name/nm2481281/. Plus many commercials. I am on the 2014 Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominations Committee. Very active in union politics, especially social media, like actors’ Facebook groups. Are you better off now than before the merger? A recent poll suggests not. I want to change that by ending split earnings; raising the number of Background hires etc. Visit my website www.pauledney.com, then vote. Thank you.02. Ken Howard
We merged to increase our bargaining power and made historic gains as a result. Our new Commercials Contract delivers $238 million more in wages and benefits – that’s REAL strength. Now we must achieve even greater gains in film, television and new media. I’ve made my living under our contracts for 44 years; I want to give back by making our contracts and union stronger for future generations. That’s why I focused on merger. Now I want to focus on delivering a strong TV/Theatrical Contract and seeing that our benefits are safely merged. Endorsed by www.USANLeadership.com and www.UniteforStrength.com.03. Marilyn Monrovia
Don’t Bogart the union membership card! While I was not able to become a SAG member until later in life, I want SAG to be an organization that benefits people of any age and at any time along the continuum of their artistic journey. We need to work together as one. And with producers to encourage compliance with contracts. Although I’m currently background talent, I am on first base with SAG and am prepared to go to bat for actors. I plan to help enforce the current policies for protection of all. Photo Lanning Gold…you dirty rat.04. Esai Morales
As an experienced “actorvist”, I will refine how this merged union can benefit all members. The current delay in residuals is unacceptable. I will hasten the unions promise of merging the pension and health plans. I will ensure that our readiness for the 2014 TV/Theatrical contract negotiations is unparalleled. SAG-AFTRA can no longer operate in the red. I will establish worldwide recognition, branding and proper industry respect for SAG-AFTRA. For our background performers I will lead the vetting of the costly and questionable hiring practices. Support Jane Austin for Secretary-Treasurer. For more details about my platform, visit www.membership1st.org.National Secretary-Treasurer – 2 year term
05. Amy Aquino
When something matters to me, I simply don’t give up. After two merger efforts failed, I came back as SAG Secretary-Treasurer for a third; we prevailed. With checks multiplying by millions a year, residuals handling needs fundamental change. So when I was brought a proposal for a revolutionary new payment system, I wouldn’t stop until SAG-AFTRA agreed to help test it; we’re starting that this fall. Other challenges ahead- health plan merger, contract negotiations, long-term fiscal security — require vision and persistence. You can count on me for both. Current Co-Secretary-Treasurer, SAG P & H Trustee. www.amyaquino.com. Endorsed by www.UniteforStrength.com06. Jane Austin
Endorsed by www.membership1st.org. A member for 25 years. Served for several years on both SAG and AFTRA National Boards. I am not only an experienced stunt performer but a experienced business woman, making me qualified for the job. I understand the economics of this business and the financial needs of performers. I’ve been a voting member of the last 3 TV/Theatrical contract negotiations and know my way around balance sheets. My first two goals: Guide this union out of its financial hole and get residuals to members faster. Please support me and presidential candidate Esai Morales.2013 Arizona-Utah Local Election
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