A Letter from L.A. President Jane Austin

Dear SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Members,

Happy 2019! After all the hard work we accomplished last year and the warm holiday season that recently passed, I hope you’ve enjoyed a positive kickoff to the new year. With upcoming elections, commercials negotiations underway and the BBH strike, the union staff will continue working diligently on your behalf. It is also crucial that members continue to stand united and truly dedicated to each other and our solidarity.

It is important to recognize the support so many sister unions have shown us by coming out to our strike actions, promoting our causes online and keeping their own union families strong. A sincere thank-you to all our labor brothers and sisters for your encouragement and loyalty on the front lines.

Since last year, what has become increasingly apparent is that unions nationwide are under assault, and the only way we can prevail is through unwavering solidarity. Over 100 SAG-AFTRA members did just this, picketing alongside teachers in the rain at Hollywood High School on Jan. 15. SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Los Angeles Clyde Kusatsu and National Board member Ellen Crawford joined me in leading our union’s continuing support for teachers. Special thanks to SAG-AFTRA National Women’s Committee Co-Chair L. Scott Caldwell, L.A. Local Board members Patrick Fabian and Elizabeth McLaughlin, and our dedicated SAG-AFTRA warriors who braved the weather to answer the call to support UTLA and our schools. Congratulations to UTLA and LAUSD on reaching an agreement.

Unions that stay together, thrive together. Since last September, SAG-AFTRA has been on strike against Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Inc. (BBH), which is attempting to unilaterally and unlawfully abandon the Commercials Contracts and is producing non-union commercials and paying substandard wages. I am forever humbled to see how many performers and sister union members have been present at all our strikes and rallies across the country. I am especially proud of the thousands of L.A. Local members who have attended marches and the rally, and participated in social media to put pressure on BBH. We must remain strong and cohesive!

This is why it is so important to understand a founding principle of our union, Global Rule One. This is a promise we make to each other that we will not work without a union contract. Global Rule One strengthens inherent protections won in the collective bargaining agreements by setting a professional standard, solidifying our bargaining power and cementing our influence. The consequences of violating Global Rule One are devastating. When members work off the card, it lowers the professional bar, degrades earning power, erodes the hard-won gains of our union and, simply put, is not acceptable. It is a betrayal of your fellow members.

It saddens me to report that just last month SAG-AFTRA busted a California-based production for using union stunt performers on a non-union shoot. A team from the union appeared on set to make sure these members knew that “we see you.” Actions are being taken to thwart non-union activity from happening again. 

I urge all members to contact SAG-AFTRA if they are aware of any contract or member violations. Callers can remain anonymous. If you have a violation to report you can call the SAG-AFTRA Legal Department at (323) 549-6627.

This is our time. Let’s make the most of it together.

In solidarity,
Jane Austin
SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer and Los Angeles Local President