Dearest SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Member,
Can you believe we find ourselves at the end of the year again? And what a wonderful and productive year it has been! Despite the hardships Californians have endured this year, our perseverance and our solidarity continue to lead us down the road to healing and only gain strength in the process. Every year I grow prouder and find myself more impressed by our local membership. We have so many wins to be thankful for and members deserve to pat themselves on the back.
A thousand SAG-AFTRA members joined SAG-AFTRA leadership including myself to rally in front of the BBH Los Angeles office in September. Not only did we prove that we are united in our efforts to keep commercials union, we launched a nationwide movement of action. New York, Detroit, San Francisco and even Hawaii are making moves. Let keep that same energy as we jump into 2019! Click here to learn more about the #AdsGoUnion campaign.
This year also marked the first-ever professional standards in stunts by allowing prospective and established stunt coordinators to apply for inclusion through the new Stunt Coordinator Standards Eligibility Process, a vetted SAG-AFTRA online registry! Click here to learn more.
We also had a record number of you attend the crucial wages and working conditions meetings to share what aspects of the Commercials Contracts are most important to you. Possibly the best news of all, since the implementation of California’s new tax incentives and the subsequent increase of production, union background actor’s employment has increased 22.4 percent!
As we prepare to conquer another year, I wish all of you the warmest of holiday seasons. Enjoy the company of friends and family and get excited for our next year! There is no other community I would wish to be more a part of than ours and I just want to say thank you. I am so grateful.
Finally, if you are looking for ways to give back this season, here are a couple of opportunities you have. Everyone is invited to join SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local Military Personnel & Families Support (MPFS) Committee and myself, Dec. 15 as we assemble packages of donated items that Operation Gratitude will send to 20,000 deployed troops over the holidays. You will feel great knowing that your efforts ensure that the brave men and women overseas enjoy a little piece of home this season. Click here to learn more about Operation Gratitude and sign up with our SAG-AFTRA group.
Another way members can help others in our community is by contributing an unwrapped toy or gift card (for older kids) for the Department of Children and Family Services (West LA Office) Toy Drive or non-perishable food item for the APLA Health Food Drive from now to Friday, Dec. 14 at SAG-AFTRA Plaza.
Happy holidays Los Angeles! Can’t wait to see you at the Winter Celebration!
In solidarity,
Jane Austin
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