An Urgent Message to My Fellow SAG‑AFTRA Members
We are facing a serious crisis of leadership and accountability within our union. It’s critical that every member understands what’s really happening behind the scenes—and what’s at stake in the 2025 election.
For over a decade—since the merger—leadership under Duncan Crabtree‑Ireland and the dominant UFS/USAN faction has repeatedly misled members. This was proven in a lawsuit spearheaded by the late Ed Asner and brought forth by an independent group of union members that I helped lead. I was a core organizer behind the effort that exposed the truth. The result? A $20.6 million gross settlement, with $15 million distributed directly to affected senior members—veteran performers who lost their healthcare when they needed it most.
And it didn’t stop there.
In 2020, UFS/USAN claimed they had secured “massive streaming residuals”—a supposed contract win publicly endorsed by employer-member Tom Hanks. When I filed charges citing his employer interference in union elections, the case was dismissed by a disciplinary committee stacked with UFS/USAN loyalists.
Then, during the 2023 WGA strike—barely a year ago—the Writers Guild revealed what many of us had suspected all along: there were no massive residuals. The claim was a lie. Our leadership had misled us—again.
Meanwhile, David White—former National Executive Director and paid advisor to Duncan—had publicly stated he would never authorize a strike. But when the truth became unavoidable, they called one anyway—not to protect us, but to shift blame to the AMPTP.
While negotiating with AMPTP’s Carol Lombardini (also named in the Asner lawsuit), Duncan quietly authorized interim agreements for productions using WGA writers. These agreements led SAG‑AFTRA members to unknowingly cross picket lines and undermine the WGA.
After public backlash, the agreements were amended—but instead of being held accountable, Duncan was rewarded with a raise and contract extension.
Now, as we enter the 2025 election, the same leadership is running under a new name: The Coalition2025. But don’t be fooled—this is just USAN/UFS rebranded. The same people. The same failed leadership. The same betrayal of our trust.
If you’re tired of lies, favoritism, and over a decade of harm to the membership—it’s time for change.
Vote for truth. Vote for accountability. Vote for change. Vote Kevin Cannon for SAG‑AFTRA President.
Kevin Cannon
Candidate for SAG‑AFTRA President
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