If you're union, call your local office and find out who the SM lisason is, or who the chair of the SM committee is, and send them a letter, or call. those of us who ARE on the committees are always looking for input.
Trust us, we fight hard for ASMs in EVERY situation. Aside from the fact that we're trying to create more jobs for our members, we know better than anyone when assistants are needed. These issues ALWAYS come up, and are always fought over, so just hearing that they're asking for its removal doesn't mean we'll let it happen.
Next time you're in this situation, talk to your union actors, too... because the producers believe actors will never be willing to strike or hold up negotiations over a 'stage manager' issue, and if we have the support of actors....
Are you SMA? If so, call them and see what they're doing to address this as well - we are all after the same thing, y'know... most of the time.
Art