Actors face stricter rules to rejoin union

Screen Actors Guild members who quit the union will have a tougher time rejoining under new rules adopted by the union’s board of directors aimed at discouraging actors from taking nonunion jobs.

According to rules effective today, quitting will be considered permanent. Members can be reinstated only if they undergo a rigorous procedure that involves petitioning a disciplinary review committee.

Previously, members who resigned were eligible to rejoin the union in a less stringent process that involved petitioning the board of directors and paying various fees.

The new rules are intended to discourage members from temporarily quitting the union to perform on nonunion shows. The change comes as the union is attempting to organize productions that aren’t covered under its contracts.

“Individuals who make the choice to quit their union cannot expect to be allowed back in without the union asking some questions about why they quit and what sort of work they were doing,” said Todd Amorde, SAG’s director of organizing.

Currently, fewer than 2,000 of the union’s 120,000 members would be affected by the change. Members who resigned before the announcement will have until Dec. 31 to apply for reinstatement under the old rules.

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richard.verrier@latimes.com