A Letter From the Michigan Local President

Fellow SAG-AFTRA Michigan Local Members, 

I hope this message finds each of you staying safe and healthy. This past year has been extremely challenging in terms of the pandemic: isolation, the loss of income for many, for others the challenges of working while trying to stay safe and, for still some others, the loss of loved ones to COVID-19.

I wanted to let you know that your Michigan Local Board has been meeting regularly to conduct essential business on behalf of our members. I’m sure many of you read that two bills were introduced in December that would create new tax credits for film, television and commercial production in Michigan! The group leading the charge is called the Michigan Film Industry Association, and our local board is plugged into MiFIA’s work in reviving Michigan’s film incentives. I encourage each of you to check out MiFIA’s website at mifia.org. On the homepage, you will be able to view a promo video starring our very own Peter Carey (great job in the video, Peter!). You will also see information on becoming a member of MiFIA if you are interested — SAG-AFTRA members can enjoy a one-year membership for only $20.

The bills were not signed into law before the expiration of the legislative session; however, plans are in the works to reintroduce them during the 2021–2022 session. A grassroots effort will be needed from all of us to reach out to our elected officials in Lansing and make our voices heard in calling for them to reestablish the incentives, so please make sure to watch your inboxes for our ask when the time comes. I’m sure we are all united in the desire to bring film and TV production back to Michigan in force, and to expand the incentives to include commercials, which our previous incentive program excluded.

Remember when you’re working during this ongoing pandemic to please make sure the production is following the guidelines established under the Safe Way Forward plan. Details can be found on the union website at sagaftra.org/backtowork.

Finally, I want to add my thanks to our many local broadcast members in Michigan and Windsor who have been working tirelessly since the start of the pandemic to keep us educated and safe. They have risked their personal safety to ensure our communities are informed. THANK YOU!

I am always at your disposal. If there are any questions you may have, please reach out to me at michigan.president@sagaftra.org. If you have any questions concerning safety or other work-related issues, please reach out to michigan@sagaftra.org for assistance.

In solidarity,

Eric Wydra
SAG-AFTRA Michigan Local President