SAG Members Criticize Clooney

October 29 -- HOLLYWOOD (Variety) — Screen Actors Guild members are perturbed at George Clooney's recent criticism of the decision to expel three strikebreakers.

Clooney took issue last week with the SAG national board's move to expel Mario Barbieri Cecchini, Gerry Donato, and Robert Kalomeer over struck work during last year's commercials strike.

"I suggest that in this time of healing, that we accept all of the actors' apologies, attach fines appropriately and fairly, and let people go about the business of chasing their dreams," said Clooney, who also offered to pay the trio's fines.

But board member Tom Bosley asserted that Clooney did not have the full story, noting that the board is precluded from disclosing details.

"I was one who voted to oust these three members for reasons far more severe than just breaking the strike line, working, or auditioning 'struck work,"' Bosley said in a letter to Clooney.

SAG member Gary D. Mosher also sent Clooney a letter describing how Donato had allegedly punched Mosher several times on a picket line. "The lifetime ban for Gerry Donato was not only fair, it was deserved," Mosher said.

Clooney also complained that the punishments were not equivalent to those given out to Elizabeth Hurley and Tiger Woods, who were fined $100,000 each for performing non-union work. But Bosley said those punishments were "just," and the fines helped members who had been on strike.

"There are so many ways you can help your fellow SAG members," Bosley said. "Offering to pay to have three people, who hurt their fellow actors, restored to the ranks of membership is wrong and will never happen."

Clooney had no response.