SAG consultant sez org needs overhaul

Many, though not 'drastic,' changes urged

By DAVE MCNARY

Consulting firm Towers & Perrin has recommended a wide variety of operational changes at the Screen Actors Guild, which entered the third week of a strike against advertisers Monday.

"The report covers recommendations on improving SAG's efficiency and financial responsibility through restructuring," SAG president William Daniels said. "I would not say that these are drastic changes. They are more of a starting point for discussion."

SAG's national board met Monday afternoon at its Los Angeles headquarters in a first-ever teleconference with board members attending at the New York office. Daniels said the recommendations will probably be referred to a committee for further review prior to presentation in July to SAG's plenary meeting for its general membership.

SAG officials did not discuss specific recommendations of the study, which was commissioned in the wake of last year's increase of member dues to 1.85% from 1.5% for earnings under $200,000.

SAG's internal operations have drawn more attention than usual recently after five high-ranking staff members left in late March and early April, with New York public relations director Jayne Wallace citing "an unprofessional and hostile environment for many staffers."

Daniels also delivered an upbeat and optimistic outlook to the board about the strike by SAG and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists against the advertising industry. "We've had a terrific response so far, but we have to keep up the energy and work hard on our outreach efforts," he added.

Daniels said he has been particularly impressed by the ability of members to picket several different commercial shoots in a single day and by the increasing numbers of high-profile members who have publicly endorsed the strike.