A Letter From New England Local President Andrea Lyman

Our New England membership meeting is this Monday, May 8, at 6 p.m. I am thrilled to announce that we will be joined by New Hampshire Public Radio staff members who have been diligently fighting — for nearly two years — for their first SAG-AFTRA contract. They will join us to share why they chose to organize and be represented by SAG-AFTRA and some of the struggles they are facing. Feel free to put on your comfy slippers, grab your favorite snacks and beverages, and join the virtual meeting on Zoom. I love looking at everyone’s beautiful faces on the screen. RSVP today. Reservations are required by May 7.

It was wonderful to see so many of you in person at the New England Local SAG Awards party at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. Seeing members stroll our two red carpets in their finery was amazing! It was also exciting that some of our local members had worked in nominated films. We also have local members who have their very own SAG Awards from previous years. I am beaming with pride for them.

I am very pleased to announce that our next conservatory will be Monday, May 15, from 7–9 p.m. on acting-adjacent gigs. These are live or in-person gigs outside of SAG-AFTRA jurisdiction that pay actors to portray patients and nurses for medical school students and faculty, or portray police officers, clients and alleged victims for lawyers and law students. We will be Zooming with the people who hire actors for these jobs. RSVP today! 

Thank you everyone who participated in the W&W — wages and working conditions — sessions or emailed your ideas. Our negotiations will begin June 7. Also, remember that there are changes to the Return To Work Agreement taking place May 11. This date matches the federal government ending its COVID public health emergency.

Finally, I am extremely excited to report that we are working on New England Local studio improvements. Did you know the local office has a dedicated self-tape room available for members to book? We are in the process of reopening the room with upgraded equipment. An official announcement will follow later in the spring. 

I look forward to seeing you at our annual membership meeting on May 8 and the conservatory on May 15. 

In solidarity,