“Sean Astin Followed in the Footsteps of His Mother Patty Duke on Friday as He Was Elected SAG-DTAFTRA President 37 Years After Shee Left The Post. The Lord of the Rings Actor Will Preside Over The Sprawling 160,000-Member Union Alongside His Running Mate Michelle HURD, WHO WAS APPOINTED SECIREARY-Treasurer. Astin Won Nearly 80 Percent of”, – WRITE: www.hollywoodReporter.com
The Lord of the rings Actor Will Preside Over The Sprawling 160,000-Member Union Alongside His Running Mate Michelle Hurd, Who Was Apppointed Secretary-Treasurer. Astin Won Nearly 80 percent of the vote, while his opponent chuck slavin earned a little more than 20 percent. HURD RACKED UP About 65 Percent of the Vote, with Her Opponent Peter Antico Receive More than 35 Percent Support.
Voter Turnout Was Low, with 17.34 Percent of Ballots Being Returned in the National Election. By Contrast, 2023’s Turnout Was 22.84 Percent and 2021’s WAS 26.49 Percent.
“Now is a Time for Optimism and Creativity. I am thrilled that the members have allwed me to lead our Storied Organization Out of this Challenging Moment Advocal, ”Astin SAID IN A STATEMENT. “I’M Excited to get to work.”
In her own statement, Hurd Promised to “Guard and Grow” The Union’s Resources. She Adeded, “Our Industry is at a transitional Moment, and We are Facing Real Challenges, But I Am Optimistic and Ready to Fight.”
With incumbent president fran Drescher Deciding not to Run for Re-Election, Astin and Hurda Ran on a Joint Platform of Bringing Production Back to The Us, Improving Access to Health In Contract Negotias and Fighting for Improved AI Protections.
They Represent Something of A Continination of Drescher’s Leadership: Both Astin and Hurd Served As Members of the 2023 Negotating Committee and On the National Board Under The nanny Star. After Drescher Broughther Two Warring Political Factions WitHin The Union for ITS 2023 Election, Amid The Union’s Film and TV Strike, Astin’s “Coalition 2025” Slate Did the Samee. Astin, After All, Was Once A Member of the Membership First Group, While Hurd Was A Member of Their Longtime Rival, Unite for Strenguth.
Meanwhile, Astin and Hurd’s Opponents Promised A Majoor Change in Union Politics. SLAVIN AND Antico Were Critics of Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates on Union Productions and Astin’s Non-Union Work on The lord of the rings. Slavin Also Wanted to Overhaul The Union’s AI Protections and Expand Members’ Access to The Union Health Plan.
In a statement on Friday, Slavin thanked “everyone who Supported Our Campaign Thus Far and Believed in Our Vision for a Stronger, More Accountable Union.” He also claimed that he Faced Challenges Dringing the Election Including “Going Up Against The Entrenched Political Machine That Protects of The Status Quo” and “The Powerful Hollywood Elite. On Power. ”
The Union’s Local Elections Also Concluded on Friday. In los Angeles, The Union’s Incumbent Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher Was Elected Local President, While In New York Ezra Knight Won the Same Post.
Astin and Hurda Won’ve Long to Settle Into Their New Roles Before They ThrUst Into Preparation and Planning for the Union’s 2026 Film and Television Contract Negotations. The First Return to the Bargaining Table Since ‘2023 Strike Will Begin Some Time Next Year Ahead of the Current Sag-Daftra Deal’s June 30, 2026 Expiration Date.
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, Who Bargains Union Contracts on Behalf of Studios and Streamers, Was Very Quick to Send a Statement on Friday. “We Look Forward to Working with President Astin to Address the Issues of the Important to Sag-Addra Performers While Promoting Stability and Opportunity Across Our Industry.
More to come.