(Update) Why suit was dropped!!!!! SAG-AFTRA Anti-Merger Lawsuit Dropped!??!!
Why was suit dropped?
Scott Pierce one of the plaintiffs in Anti-merger suits explains why it was dropped:
“Hopefully… this letter will explain some of why we decided to drop the lawsuit. We didn’t want to, but it would have taken a lot more money to go forward. To continue the lawsuit at this time, after the majority of members of both unions voted for merger would likely do more to hurt our cause than help it. The members see us as troublemakers; largely responsible for the mess we’re in. Despite the fact that we know better. We know it was U4S who got us where we are (so the members would think we had no choice but to merge). I wanted to fight on, but majority rules and we (the plaintiffs) discussed the pros and cons of continuing on with the lawsuit, and we took a vote. This doesn’t mean we can’t file another lawsuit at another time. But, we also felt it would be more productive to lick our wounds, re-group, and focus our energy on changing things from the inside. We don’t stand much of a chance of getting elected as board members or delegates, if we are seen as the troublemakers whining over sour grapes. If the membership hates us, because they think we are the bad guys… we lose. I’m glad I was a plaintiff. If nothing else, it allowed me to join in the discussions with the other plaintiffs and lawyers so I could understand why it would be better to end it now, so we can fight another battle later.”
—-
This from the Great Nikki Finke website.
———-
SAG-AFTRA Anti-Merger Lawsuit Dropped
SAG-AFTRA merger opponents who lost their attempt to enjoin the two unions combining but continued with their lawsuit are dropping it. Below is the letter they wrote to SAG counsel explaining why they’ve agreed to dismiss their case. The stipulation will be filed today or tomorrow. This follows SAG-AFTRA threatening to go after each anti-merger litigant personally to repay the union’s legal fees:
SAG-AFTRA Merger Lawsuit to be Dropped
Papers ending the litigation are expected to be filed with the court today or tomorrow.
The plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit that sought to enjoin the SAG/AFTRA merger referendum – which passed almost two months ago – have decided to voluntarily dismiss the case, according to a letter from their lawyer, David Casselman.
“After careful consideration, largely reflecting on the results of the recent merger election, my clients have reached the conclusion that continued prosecution of the pending litigation would not assist the cause they initially sought to champion,” said the letter, addressed to SAG outside counsel Bob Bush.
In response, SAG-AFTRA executive vice president Ned Vaughn said, “Dropping this frivolous lawsuit was the first good decision the plaintiffs have made.”
An email from a spokeswoman for the plaintiffs said that the necessary documents would be filed with the court today or tomorrow. Casselman told The Hollywood Reporter in an email that the union already had the documents and would file them, but this could not be immediately verified
