New actors’ group tries to unseat SAG leaders

Unite for Strength wants to renew talks with the studios

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updated 6:31 p.m. ET Aug. 13, 2008

LOS ANGELES - An actors group seeking to unseat the leadership of the Screen Actors Guild over its handling of contract talks with studios has revealed a group of A-list backers that includes Tom Hanks and Sally Field.

The group, Unite for Strength, made its announcement Wednesday. It’s trying to wrest control of SAG’s 71-member national board from a coalition called Membership First, which has seen talks with studios come to a standstill.

About a third of the seats are up for re-election. Votes are due Sept. 18.

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Among other cited as backers by Unite for Strength are Alec Baldwin, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Ron Perlman.

SAG has not agreed to the studio’s final contract offer and has been working under terms of the old deal since July 1.

The dispute centers on payment and other issues involving made-for-Internet productions.