Local Looks Back on SAG-AFTRA's 10th Anniversary

In 2012, SAG and AFTRA finally became one, with members voting overwhelmingly to merge the two unions representing media artists. As representatives of the Group for One Union, SAG leader and local member Bill Mootos and AFTRA leader and local member Tom Kemp assisted in the process. A decade of achievements later, members of the New England Local have much to celebrate:  

• In the first post-merger election in 2013, Michele Proude became the SAG-AFTRA New England Local’s first elected local president, after serving as SAG Boston Branch Council president.
• Our local conservatory program continued helping members hone their craft by learning about various contracts and how to improve skills in auditioning, performing and marketing. Conservatories covered topics such as improvisation, dance, on-camera technique, movement, audiobook narration, self-taping auditions, tax preparation and headshot photography. 
• SAG-AFTRA New England Local members and staff partnered on efforts to support and maintain robust state film incentives in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. In 2021, in particular, the Massachusetts film, TV and streaming production incentive was made permanent by removing the program's expiration date completely. We have established a thriving industry in New England. However, we do need to remain proactive! Elected officials cycle in and out, and we cannot always be assured the support will be there in the future. Please continue to keep in touch with your state representatives and senators, and continue to thank them for supporting the film and TV industry. Let them know how film production has helped your community — many films donate items or give back to the community beyond helping out local businesses. When a completed project is released, use this opportunity to remind your legislators that New England is a top destination for film production and media creation. Continue to reinforce that filming in their districts creates jobs and generates revenue for local businesses. 
• The 2019 Regional Commercials Code brought much-needed commercial work back to our local by making SAG-AFTRA talent available to regional advertisers at competitive rates with flexible terms. The New England Regional Commercials code developed by the Local Organizing Committee and Local Board has resulted in dozens of new signatories and hundreds of new commercial projects.
• New England membership numbers have grown significantly in the last 10 years, surpassing 3,500 members since merger due in large part to the increased film and TV production in New England. Additionally many new broadcast members have joined the local through successful organizing, including two public radio stations — WBUR-FM in Boston and NHPR in Concord, New Hampshire — and an off-air unit at WFSB-TV in Rocky Hill, Connecticut.
• In 2019, Andrea Lyman became the first African American woman to serve as president of the New England Local; Michele Proude was elected vice president of mid-sized locals; and both were reelected in 2021. Bill Mootos has continued to serve as National Board member since merger.
• 2020 was a devastating year for the television and film industry. But despite a nationwide pandemic that shut down production for six months, a successful Return to Work Agreement negotiated by our entertainment unions instituted safety protocols that allowed our New England members to safely resume working, including on the Oscar-nominated film Don’t Look Up and the HBO MAX series Julia, which is receiving rave reviews.
• 2020 also saw the creation of the SAG-AFTRA Micro-Budget Agreement, which several New England Local Board members assisted in developing nationally. The Micro Agreement gives greater flexibility to SAG-AFTRA members in creating their own projects, or to work on projects that otherwise may have gone non-union. We have seen over 75 projects filmed in New England using the Micro Agreement, with members maximizing creativity and perfecting their skills, while also building their resumes and generating material for demo reels.

Join us for our virtual annual membership meeting on Monday, June 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. ET. Click here to RSVP by Friday, June 10 at 6 p.m. ET. We look forward as well to other events that will be taking place in the coming months and as guidelines are eased we hope we can meet face to face once again. Thank you for helping to build SAG-AFTRA and the New England Local into what it is today!