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The SAG-AFTRA group known as USAN, which has effectively been the incumbent group in the union’s New York local, announced a host of celebrity endorsements Friday. The list provided by the group names Alec Baldwin, Ron Perlman, S. Epatha Merkerson, Susie Essman, Phylicia Rashad, Margo Martindale and Isiah Whitlock Jr. as endorsers.
“Ken Howard, Mike Hodge and USAN are the clear choice to lead SAG-AFTRA to a strong future,” said Baldwin. “From job-creating NY production incentives to the overwhelming success of our merger, they have achieved some important goals and have demonstrated leadership we can count on.”
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Howard, the union’s co-president, is running for election as president. Hodge, the current NY local co-president, is running to be local president. He faces off against Roberta Reardon, who heads up the rival NYC4U slate.
Merkerson declared, “It’s crucial that we are fairly paid in cable television and new media. With negotiations coming up, it’s Mike and USAN I trust.”
Perlman added, “Whether it’s caring for NY members by promoting the Superstorm Sandy Fund or fighting for a better deal, Mike Hodge and the USAN team always get the job done. Vote USAN.”
USAN has also been endorsed by Howard and Executive Vice President Ned Vaughn. USAN in turn has endorsed Howard and co-secretary-treasurer Amy Aquino.
USAN also announced Friday its list of endorsed delegate candidates for the 2013 SAG-AFTRA elections. Officer, National and New York Local Board Candidates had been previously released on June 27th. A full list of endorsers and the USAN Voter Guide can be found here, while the rival NYC4U’s is here.
How much of these internecine machinations voters will keep straight, let alone care about, is open to question. The ballot, particularly in Los Angeles and New York, is enormous, as there are somewhere between 100 and 200 local and national officers and board members up for election, plus about 350 delegate positions. (Exact numbers were not immediately available.) There are 487 delegates total.
Bookmark The Hollywood Reporter’s Labor Page for the most in-depth coverage of entertainment unions and guilds.
Email: jhandel99 at gmail dot com
Twitter: @jhandel
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