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Anti-merger forces held a rally Thursday in front of SAG and AFTRA’s headquarters in Los Angeles. About 20-25 people picketed, about the same as the first rally four weeks ago, and down from the high of 50 that picketers achieved two weeks ago. David Hillberg, a 2011 candidate for SAG president, told The Hollywood Reporter that “a lot of [the picketers] are scared about their pension and health [benefits].” He added that his concerns focused on the merger agreement between the unions, and charged that “AFTRA has a habit of poaching,” i.e., seeking jurisdiction over

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Screen Actors Guild members have overwhelmingly re-elected Ken Howard president to his second two-year term, effectively endorsing his plan to merge the guild with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. His running-mate, Amy Aquino, was re-elected secretary-treasurer. Aquino was unopposed. Mike Hodge, president of the New York division, also was re-elected. The Guild announced the winners Thursday. The election was a referendum on merging SAG with AFTRA -- a cause Howard has spent the past two years championing. And it was a big win. Howard got 17,492 votes. Anti-merger candidate David Hillberg received...

Los Angeles (September 22, 2011) — Screen Actors Guild today announced the results of elections for its top two elected positions and National Board. Ken Howard has been re-elected for a second term as Screen Actors Guild president, and Amy Aquino will continue in her role as secretary-treasurer. Both will serve two-year terms, beginning September 25. Ballots for the national officers election were mailed to 100,994 paid-up SAG members on August 23, and 23,459 were tabulated today, for a return of 23.23 percent. Howard received 17,492 votes, with David Hillberg getting 3,047 votes, Sharon Rubin receiving 1,681 votes and Asmar Muhammad receiving 855 votes. Aquino ran unopposed and received 20,399 votes. “There’s nothing more important than members exercising their right to vote, and I’m very grateful for their continued support,” said Howard. “With so many pro-merger candidates elected again this year, there’s no doubt what members want, and I look forward to presenting a comprehensive plan to the SAG and AFTRA national boards in January.

Back Stage recently spoke with Screen Actors Guild presidential candidates Asmar Muhammad, David Hillberg, and Sharon Rubin about their plans for the election.Interview with Asmar MuhammadScreen Actors Guild Presidential Candidate Muhammad talks about why he is running in this election.Interview with David HillbergScreen Actors Guild Presidential Candidate Hillberg talks about his plans for the union if he is elected.Interview with Sharon RubinScreen Actors Guild Presidential Candidate Rubin talks about why she's running for SAG president.

The Screen Actors Guild, which is currently engaged in merger talks with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, released Thursday night the official list of candidates for its upcoming national officer and national board election. As expected, current president Ken Howard, aligned with the pro-merger Hollywood-division party Unite for Strength, will not face a challenger from rival faction MembershipFirst in his bid for re-election. MembershipFirst announced last week that it would not endorse candidates this year for board of director or officer posts, though several of the party's members are running for board as independents. Howard faces opposition for the presidency from three independent opponents—David Hillberg, Asmar Muhammad, and Sharon Rubin—but is considered a favorite to win re-election. Howard's running mate from 2009, Amy Aquino, is running unopposed for re-election as secretary-treasurer. Unite for Strength is the only political group to endorse a slate of candidates in Hollywood,...

Los Angeles (August 4, 2011) – Screen Actors Guild today released the official list of candidates for its upcoming national officer and national board elections. National president and national secretary-treasurer positions are up for election, both of which carry two-year terms. Approximately 1/3 of the total 69 national board seats are open for election this year. National officer ballots will be mailed to all eligible SAG members nationwide on August 23 with a return deadline and tabulation on September 22. Election results are expected to be announced that evening. The same schedule will apply to the Hollywood and New York Division elections. The candidates for national president are David Hillberg, Ken Howard, Asmar Muhammad and Sharon Rubin. The candidate for national secretary-treasurer is Amy Aquino. The Hollywood Division will elect 12 national board members and 22 alternates. Eleven (11) candidate positions will be seated for a three (3) year term and one (1) candidate position will be seated for a one (1) year...

Los Angeles (August 4, 2010) – Screen Actors Guild today released the official list of candidates for its upcoming national board elections. Ballots for all eligible members in Hollywood and New York will be mailed on August 24 with a return deadline and tabulation on September 23. Election results are expected to be announced that evening. Approximately 1/3 of the total 69 national board seats are open for election this year. The Hollywood Division will elect 13 national board members and 22 alternates. Twelve (12) candidate positions will be seated for a three (3) year term and one (1) candidate position will be seated for a one (1) year term (all national board alternates serve for one year). The New York Division will elect 5 national board members and nine alternates. Each seat is for a three-year term (all national board alternates serve for one year). Directors holding nine other national board seats will be elected from SAG Branches outside Hollywood and New York.