Merger competitors to file for injunction motion Monday

Competitors from the SAG-AFTRA merger will file a motion for any preliminary injunction Monday, setting happens for any possible March 26 hearing in federal court -- four days prior to the merger votes should be tabulated.But SAG is anticipated to file for a motion to dismiss the situation as soon as Friday, based on a resource acquainted with the problem, alleging the litigants have unsuccessful to condition a contributing factor to action. Plaintiffs' attorney David Casselman of Wasserman, Comden, Casselman & Esensten told Variety the suit is targeted to make sure that the Screen Stars Guild adheres to the own rules. "The complaint is not designed to subvert the procedure.Inch The Screen Stars Guild and also the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists are scheduled to mail out ballots Monday to 120,000 SAG people and 70,000 AFTRA people. To become approved, the merger must receive a minimum of 60% from the votes from each union.The competitors sued Wednesday, alleging that SAG is trying to merge with AFTRA "without performing the required research." U.S. District Court Judge James Otero continues to be designated towards the situation. SAG vowed to "intensely" fight the experience, calling it "a obvious attempt for circumventing the desire from the membership" and stressed it has held a lot more than 50 educational conferences round the country within the run-as much as the merger referendum.About 40 competitors picketed Thursday at SAG headquarters -- the 3rd such event previously two days.Former SAG leader Alan Rosenberg, who's a complaintant within the suit, attended together with former board people Renee Aubry, Mark Carlton, Frances Fisher and France Nguyen. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com