Here is our plan:

We will send a referendum to every S.A.G. member asking you to decide if you want all actors in S.A.G. and all contracts to be negotiated by S.A.G.

We have no doubt that tens of thousands of dual card-holders (those who are members of both S.A.G. and AFTRA) - an overwhelming majority - will vote for S.A.G.

We will take the results of this referendum to the leaders of AFTRA. We will propose that all actors merge into S.A.G. while all broadcasters and recording artists remain in AFTRA.

We will offer to negotiate financial aid that AFTRA may require during any transition period. (Much of this can be covered by sharing services between the two unions.)

If current AFTRA leaders refuse any offers or negotiations, AFTRA will be refusing the will of their own membership. To successfully defy the membership, AFTRA leaders will have to abandon all rules of union democracy.

But never forget: It isn't THEIR union. It's YOUR union.

YOU have the power to take it back!

In 2004 the S.A.G. animation community stood up and demanded that AFTRA leaders stop negotiating contracts that offered LESS money and NO residuals. There were only a few dozen animation actors involved in this revolution, but IT WORKED. Since then, AFTRA has not dared to undercut the S.A.G. animation contract. Last year, it took even less actors - the cast of the basic cable show KYLE XY - to force AFTRA leaders into reversing some of the disastrous terms and conditions that AFTRA had negotiated in their contracts. There is no question who will triumph in a contest between TENS OF THOUSANDS of unhappy dual-card holders and A FEW AFTRA BOARD MEMBERS.

We will EMPOWER you to CHOOSE:

This year MembershipFirst endorsed several high profile/working actors who won seats on AFTRA's National Board. In the 2009 AFTRA elections we will create an even larger contingent of actors on the AFTRA Board who will demand that dual card-holders be given the CHOICE of all actors in one union - S.A.G.

As we have done since last year, SAG will continue informing you about inferior AFTRA contracts that are being negotiated and we will publish the details in S.A.G. communications. Only then can you make an informed CHOICE of whether or not to accept such work.

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