Unions Look Ahead To Summer

By DAVE MCNARY
Variety http://www.variety.com/

Key prexy slots up for grabs at SAG, WGA West

This summer should see plenty of fireworks -- and not just on the Fourth of July -- as key prexy slots come up for grabs at Hollywood's major unions.

SAG's likely to generate most of the sparks. It will see an undoubtedly ferocious election campaign as the moderate coalition that came to power last fall aims to consolidate its gains in the wake of firing Doug Allen as national exec director in January. Current prexy Alan Rosenberg hasn't yet decided whether he'll seek a third term for the hardline Membership First faction.

Other candidates from that side who've been mentioned include Anne-Marie Johnson, Seymour Cassel and Scott Wilson. Former secretary James Cromwell has been mentioned as a likely candidate on the moderate end of the SAG spectrum.

SAG's election takes place in September, as do the WGA elections.

At the WGA West -- in which last year's strike will be the dominant issue -- Patric Verrone is termed out. Early contenders to replace him include VP David Weiss and board members John Bowman and Howard Michael Gould.

At the WGA East, Michael Winship hasn't yet indicated whether he'll seek a second term. Its election is set for Sept. 17.

The DGA, however, will probably provide its usual calm contrast to WGA and SAG, with a new prexy expected to be named at the biannual convention in July. Michael Apted's declared he won't seek a fourth term, and observers expect Steven Soderbergh or Taylor Hackford to be his likely successor.

AFTRA will vote up a new prexy at its convention in August in Chicago. Current prexy Roberta Reardon has indicated she'll seek a second term.