LOS ANGELES—On Friday, the International Entertainment Adult Union's founder, Amanda Gullesserian, better known in XXX circles as Phyllisha Anne, posted a press release describing how union members had gathered the previous week "to discuss insurance options, as well as retirement plans and our own credit union." The release referenced that attending the meeting were "the members and officers of the Exotic Dancer Guild, The Adult Performers Actors Guild, [and] The Adult Film Crew Chapter." However, in the release, there was no mention of the conflict between Gullesserian's earlier announcement that former adult producer/director Rob Spallone had been appointed to head the Adult Film Crew chapter, which had previously been designated as Local 424, and which had already elected its own president, Shelly Bartolini, and board members which differed somewhat from those that Gullesserian had claimed were on the local's board.
In fact, on that same day, September 23, the Adult Performers Actors Guild posted a response to Gullesserian's claims regarding the Adult Film Crew chapter, claiming therein that in making her announcement, Gullesserian had ignored "the will of member voters and her own lack of authority to do so," adding that, "Similar actions have also been taken against the Adult Performers Actors Guild."
"News of the claims of a change in leadership broke Wednesday on AVN.com, as Phyllisha Anne’s erratic and divisive behavior has become increasingly troublesome for APAG and Local 424, ultimately misleading to fans, and alienating to potential allies," union officials wrote on the APAG Union website.
"No parliamentary procedure was followed in 'replacing' 424 officials,” charged Local 424 President and veteran crewman Shelley Bartolini. "You can’t unappoint me."
"This message to the IEAU founder mirrors those recently made by other elected union officials who were 'removed' from their respective positions, such as APAG VP Alana Evans (another inductee into the AVN Hall of Fame) and Communications Director and Committee Chair Bella Doll," the APAG posting continued. "Mrs. Evans has not vacated her seat. Ms. Doll was 'removed', but was later asked to return by APAG officials."
"We at APAG and Local 424 thank Phyllisha Anne for her hard work and dedication to building this union over the years," Doll stated in the APAG notice, "but it has become evident to us that she continues to overstep her authority and act only in her own self interest as she attempts to stack our leadership with her loyalists.”
Gullesserian's statement added that the IEAU will begin asking members to pay dues to the union beginning in January, though membership is currently still free.
"Joining now skips the initiation fee later, as well as a lot of the paper work that will be involved when you join," Gullesserian stated. "We are trying to leave enrollment open and free as long as we can, but that time frame is about to run out, so please join now."
Gullesserian also advised that "all enrollment, for the time being is through one website, EntertainmentAdultUnion.com, to insure the safety of your membership information. Each chapter/division will be accepting their own dues and their own members, once the IEAU has reached that point."
What is unclear from Gullesserian's statement, however, since she apparently does not recognize the legitimacy of the elected officers and boards of either APAG or Local 424, is just where whatever dues are paid by union members through IEAU will be going: to Gullesserian's own appointees or to each local's elected officials.
It is expected that the disparities between the positions held by IEAU and its locals will be worked out in the near future.
"Performers are encouraged to join the Adult Performers Actors Guild, as we continue to build our union and work to protect the interests of performers," said APAG president Alana Evans.
Gullesserian has announced that she will be appearing with IEAU president Elisabeth Thomas on xxxpornstarradio at 6 p.m. tonight to discuss union politics.
