In the latest major strike action, SAG-AFTRA members rallied in front of the offices of Bartle Bogle Hegarty in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 17.
The holiday-themed action drew a throng of members on both coasts who, while singing customized Christmas carols, urged BBH not to abandon its 20-year commitment to SAG-AFTRA’s Commercials Contracts.
In New York, a chalk artist drew a portrait of BBH earning a spot on Santa Claus’ naughty list outside the company’s Tribeca offices. Members gathered around and sang a BBH-inspired version of “Jingle Bells,” while a mobile billboard promoting SAG-AFTRA’s strike and calling out the company’s hypocrisy circled the block.
Accompanied by Ebenezer Scrooge and a contingent of members, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President and New York Local President Rebecca Damon tried to deliver several bags of coal to the BBH office. “That’s not only unfair and unjust – it’s not nice. And you know what happens when you’re not nice,” said Damon of BBH's withdrawal from SAG-AFTRA's Commercials Contracts. “You end up on Santa’s naughty list! So we’re here to deliver BBH their lumps of coal.”
Scrooge tried to defend his fellow “misers” at BBH. “Bah humbug,” he cried.
Inside the lobby of the Tribeca building, members were met by the building’s manager, while BBH’s executives remained upstairs. Damon politely informed the manager that the union had a special delivery for BBH. He responded by calling the police, who arrived after SAG-AFTRA members were back on the sidewalk and mingling around the chalk image of Santa writing BBH onto his naughty list for 2018.
“This fight will continue,” said Damon.
In New York on Dec. 17, a chalk artist drew a portrait of BBH earning a spot on Santa Claus’ naughty list outside the company’s Tribeca offices.
Members gathered outside BBH's New York offices while a mobile billboard promoting SAG-AFTRA’s strike and calling out the company’s hypocrisy circled the block.
Members gathered outside BBH's New York offices while a mobile billboard promoting SAG-AFTRA’s strike and calling out the company’s hypocrisy circled the block.
Accompanied by Ebenezer Scrooge and a contingent of members, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President and New York Local President Rebecca Damon tried to deliver several bags of coal to the BBH office.
No one from BBH would accept the delivery and the building manager told members to leave.
SAG-AFTRA members called for BBH to return to the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts in front of a chalk image of Santa writing BBH onto his naughty list for 2018.
Member Shea Scullin dressed as St. Nick himself during the Dec. 17 event in Los Angeles.
“You are raising your voices and demanding that our contracts be honored, and that is being heard today,” Austin said, after she read letters members had written to BBH telling them how they were personally affected by the company’s illegal withdrawal from the commercials contracts.
Secretary-Treasurer and Los Angeles Local President Jane Austin thanked the members gathered in front of BBH’s Melrose Avenue building.
In Los Angeles, members sang carols like “I’m Dreaming of a Job This Christmas,” and “You’re a Mean One, BBH."
This fight will continue.
Rebecca Damon
Executive Vice President, New York Local President
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