(March 9, 2002) Actors Union Reelects Melissa Gilbert, Victory for Moderates in Hollywood

Variety ^ | March 9, 2002 6:20 AM

[Naked Lunch]

Actors Union Reelects Melissa Gilbert President Saturday March 9 6:20 AM ET

Former child star Melissa Gilbert won a resounding second victory early on Saturday as presidentof the Screen Actors Guild (news - web sites), repeating her defeat of veteran actress Valerie Harper in a rerun of last fall's nullified elections.

The outcome, reaffirming support for Gilbert's moderate posture over the comparatively militant stance of her opponent, climaxed weeks of acrimony and argument in one of the most divisive campaigns in the 69-year history of the famously fractious actors union.

Gilbert, 37, best known as pioneer girl Laura Ingalls on the 1970s TV series "Little House on the Prairie," garnered 21,351 votes out of nearly 38,000 ballots cast, while Harper, 61, the former star of "Rhoda," received 12,613 votes.

The remainder of the votes went to two lesser-known candidates.

"Our membership has once again spoken. I'm honored to have been trusted by the SAG membership," Gilbert said in a prepared statement announcing the results. "With the rerun of the election now behind us, I welcome focusing on the crucial issues at hand."

In a brief concession statement, Harper thanked her supporters and added, "In this election, rerun in a fair and uniform manner, the real winner is the democratic process."

Two Harper allies also won repeat victories to national office -- "MASH" film star Elliot Gould as recording secretary and Kent McCord of the 1960s cop show "Adam 12" as treasurer.

Turnout was high by SAG standards, with 41.4 percent of more than 91,000 ballots returned, the highest level on record for a SAG presidential race.

By comparison, just under 28,000 ballots were cast in the election last November, with Gilbert edging out then-presumed front-runner Harper by fewer than 1,600 votes.

But Harper and her supporters contested that outcome, saying the race was tainted by balloting irregularities, and a union committee subsequently ordered a new election for president, secretary and treasurer.

That decision plunged the union into one of the most bitter spasms of infighting ever seen in Hollywood's labor movement, replete with accusations of corruption and even a probe by the U.S. Labor Department (news - web sites).

Allies of Gilbert charged that Harper was seeking to hijack the election by challenging the results on the basis of minor infractions that would not have altered the outcome. Harper insisted she was motivated strictly by the desire to ensure that a fair, clean political process prevailed.

At stake was the balance of power between two sharply divided wings of the union. Gilbert's camp espouses a more moderate stance toward studios, advertisers and talent agents, while Harper and her allies favor the tougher line advocated by former president William Daniels at the bargaining table.

The new vote also was seen as a bellwether for the fate of a landmark deal recently negotiated by Gilbert's administration with talent agents that still must be ratified by the rank-and-file.

Harper has criticized provisions in the tentative accord that would permit talent agencies to buy stock in, and receive investments from, advertising firms. She argued such a change would diminish long-standing conflict-of-interest safeguards aimed at preventing talent agents from having an ownership interest in the companies for which their clients work.

[Naked Lunch]

Moderate Melissa Gilbert beats out Extremist Valerie Harper in the Re-vote.

[Naked Lunch]

Hollywood Bump

[Miss Marple]

Somehow I missed the re-vote. How appropriate that the leftist would ask for this. Bah!

OK, Melissa, how about a stand on the ethics of character assassination on the President during wartime? You can call it the Baldwin Rule.

[usconservative]

But Harper and her supporters contested that outcome, saying the race was tainted by balloting irregularities...

Hmmm...where'd they get that idea from? LOL

[rface]

From Melissa to You:

(January / February 2002 )

Hi Everyone!

I can't believe it is already the middle of January!!

It seems that time has sped up 100% since I got elected president of SAG. Every time that I have tried to sit down to write a message for the website, something happens and I've had to put it off.

Things are moving right along here. It has been a rather tumultuous couple of months and it doesn't look like it's going to let up any time soon. I'm sure that you have seen all the news and hoopla regarding the election at SAG. I really don't have much to say about it other than it will work itself out in time and whatever is meant to be, will happen.

Boy has this been a lesson in letting go. Aside from all of the SAG stuff, life here at Wicklow Manor (that's the name of our home) seems to be moving right along. We had a fantastic Christmas with Bruce's family in the suburbs of Chicago. The kids got to see snow and had a blast with all of their cousins.

As far as work goes, Bruce is finished with Gods and Generals. He had an amazing time working on it. I can honestly say, that I haven't seen him that happy at work in a long, long time.

We are anxiously awaiting the release date and will let you know as soon as we do. It is pilot season here and we are both feverishly looking for a series. Yes, I can work AND be President. Contrary to what some people might think, there is no salary for the President of SAG so I can take jobs as an actor.

I guess that's about it for now.

I send you wishes for a peaceful New Year, Be well and happy,

President Gilbert

CLICK HERE then scroll down for Melissa's Fried Chicken Recipe

[billorites]

"But Harper and her supporters contested that outcome, saying the race was tainted by balloting irregularities..."

Dangling Chad Everett, I presume.

[RJCogburn]

I have no idea what this means.

"Moderate" versus "militant" really doesn't tell me much. I would prefer a "militant" conservative over a "moderate" so these labels are not information enough.

[Ukiapah Heep]

Rhoda - It sure isn't you!

Bwahahahahaha

[cake_crumb]

Valery Harper pulled a page from Al Gore's playbook...and lost, JUST LIKE AL DID. BWAhahahahah!

Melissa Gilbert wins AGAIN, just like GW. Good for Melissa !!

[cake_crumb]

""Moderate" versus "militant" really doesn't tell me much. I would prefer a "militant" conservative over a "moderate" so these labels are not information enough"

Uh...I hate to be the one to have to tell you, but VALERIE HARPER IS A MILITANT LEFT-WINGNUT. The writer obviously felt that the candidates' political leanings are SO well known that they don't need further definition.

[RJCogburn]

Thanks. Never hate. :^)

[Voltage]

I hope they go on strike...FOREVER!

[FairWitness]

In a brief concession statement, Harper thanked her supporters and added, "In this election, rerun in a fair and uniform manner, the real winner is the democratic process."

Thanks for clarifying that Valerie. For a minute there I thought the real winner was Melissa Gilbert.

[VA Advogado]

The remainder of the votes went to two lesser-known candidates.

Did they have a green party candidate? :)

[Naked Lunch]

Here are the basic issues:

[1] Advertising Agencies and firms seek to purchase talent agenices. I say that this creates a conflict of interest, and should be banned.

[2] Due to high costs, Movie Studios are fleeing to Canada and other countries. I say we should open up a congressional inquiry into special incentives offered by Canada for movie productions to relocate there (Essentially an "antidumping inquiry" into Canadian industrial policy).

[3] Actors can join the union after working 3 jobs as an extra. I say we should make it harder for them to join.

[4] There is no SAG union contract covering residuals from Cable TV. I say we utilize the power of the union to force producers to the bargaining table.

[5] Regarding diversity, I say we should fight against discrimination and ageism in assigning roles and casting.

[1] Advertising Agencies and firms seek to purchase talent agenices. I say we should let Ad Agencies buy between 10 and 49% of Talent Agencies.

[2] Due to high costs, Movie Studios are fleeing to Canada and other countries. I say we should work with Movie studios and offer countering economic incentives to keep the work here in the US.

[grumpster-dumpster]

"The remainder of the votes went to two lesser-known candidates."

How is it possible to be lesser-known than these two?

[Naked Lunch]

Here are the REAL determinants of the race... The endorsing celebrities:

Alan Alda Dana Daurey Samaria Graham Paula Poundstone Ed Begley, Jr. Jill Eikenberry Marg Helgenberger Alan Rosenberg Barbara Bosson Shelley Fabares Peter Horton Mitch Ryan Bruce Boxleitner Morgan Fairchild Ken Howard William Schallert Andre Braugher Jamie Farr Jane Kaczmarek Loretta Swit Paula Cale Mike Farrell Melina Kanakaredes Christopher Titus William Christopher Bonnie Franklin Don LaFontaine Concetta Tomei David Clennon Greg Germann Camryn Manheim Michael Tucker Peter Coyote Sara Gilbert Kathleen Noone Bradley Whitford James Cromwell Danny Glover Seth Peterson Noah Wyle Marsha Mason Carl Reiner Tim Robbins Susan Sarandon John D'Aquino Henry Polic II Keri Tombazian Treat Williams

Rob Schneider, Tyne Daly, Jon Voight, Diane Ladd, Sarah Jessica Parker, Stephen Collins, Joely Fisher, Esai Morales, Tim Matheson, Nancy Sinatra, Tess Harper, Patricia Arquette, Tom Bosley, James Garner, Angelica Huston, Kevin Kline, Joe Pantoliano, Liam Neeson, Natasha Richardson, Ron Rifkin, Tom Selleck, Martin Sheen, Laura Dern, Mark Hamill, Wil Wheaton, Charlton Heston, Dennis Weaver, Kathleen Nolan, Ed Asner, William Daniels.

[Green Knight]

That was cold! LOL!

Hmm. I wonder if she's getting any tips from her husband, the former President of the Interstellar Alliance?

[muleskinner]

Bruce is finished with Gods and Generals. He had an amazing time working on it.

Gods and Generals bump

Since Martin Sheen isn't in it, it'll be better than Gettysburg.

[grumpster-dumpster]

Thanks Green Knight... I never heard of her husband either! Sorry or the delay in replying...bad weather in the area and I've taken a power-hit once already!