SAG's CFO quits, citing stress
Internal conflicts are too much for Hickson
SAG chief exec Bob Pisano, who hired Hickson, will take over her duties while a replacement is sought. Hickson, who served as Miramax CFO between 1996 and 2000, said she would depart on Dec. 5.
In a letter sent Tuesday to Pisano, Hickson said she would have stayed in the SAG post had the AFTRA merger been approved, asserting that the challenge of making the new combined organization work would have been "irresistible." In early July, SAG members backed the deal with a 58% endorsement, 2% short of the required support level, following a heated campaign that lasted several months.
She also said cited the behavior of SAG board members as being "equally important" in her decision to leave.
"The infighting, politics and personal agendas that are regularly acted out by these individuals have been endless," Hickson said. "It has become harder and harder to witness such self-destructive behavior, much less understand what motivates it. Also, the constant questioning of staff motives (especially yours), when all we have tried to do is to help the members and to work together to strengthen the guild, is discouraging and ultimately debilitating."
Hickson also said other staff members have had identical reactions. "Frankly, Bob, life is just too short," she added.
In response, Pisano said he accepted the resignation "with deep regret" and listed improvements during her tenure in financial reporting, information technology, residuals, branches and real estate.
As to the boardroom problems, Pisano said, "I take note of your concerns expressed in your letter and will see that they are brought to the attention of our elected leadership."
Merger proponents have contended that "consolidation and affiliation" was essential for the performers unions to resolve jurisdictional disputes and deal effectively with mega-congloms. Opponents have argued the proposal sacrificed too much of SAG's autonomy and was tilted unfairly toward AFTRA.
The merger was the latest in a long list of issues that have produced discord among SAG's elected leadership in recent years. Others include the six-month strike in 2000 against the ad industry, a national election in 2001 that was invalidated due to violations by staff and the ballot company and last year's defeat of a proposal to ease the ownership restrictions for talent agencies in SAG's master franchise agreement.
SAG and AFTRA's boards voted during the summer to continue pursuing the merger, and SAG prexy Melissa Gilbert won re-election in September on a platform of seeking to combine the unions. SAG began conducting a membership phone poll last week, paid for by the AFL-CIO, about creation of a new umbrella performers union.
Gilbert has portrayed herself as a can-do pragmatist who avoids confrontation and stresses cooperation.
SAG spokeswoman Ilyanne Kichaven said that once Hickson departs, the top finance department execs would be controller Carolyn Winnor and business analyst Peter Wasek. Kichaven also said Hickson is expected to announce shortly that she's been hired for another job.
