Local Membership Meeting Goes Virtual

New England Local members met for the 2021 annual membership meeting — for the first time ever virtually — on April 8. With an eye toward safety and with guidelines approved by the National Board, the New England Local Board and staff put together an online Zoom event. The evening’s program followed typical annual meetings from years past, with both local and national updates as well as time for a Q&A. The virtual event met with success. 

Highlights from the meeting include an overview of actions taken by the National Board, including dues relief, guidelines for on-set COVID safety, pandemic assistance, aid and COBRA subsidies, identifying other resources for those in need, and a variety of contract agreements, including the Micro-Budget Project Agreement, Influencer Agreement for commercials, and a standalone agreement with Actors’ Equity. The Committee of Locals also worked on relief aid, organizing, and regional commercial and corporate codes.  

Broadcasters led a moment of silence for late National Board member Joe Krebs. Members received a report on WBUR organizing, as well information on the risks to broadcasters 2020 brought on. Shop safety was a top priority. It was reported that our local currently has 15 stations working under 16 contracts. National Director, News & Broadcast, Tom Higgins reviewed the challenges journalists face in these unprecedented times and how the union has assisted in the protection of work, safety at work and COVID relief.

Members learned of staffing updates to our local. Interim Assistant Executive Director Jessica Maher’s production report included employment and earnings numbers for 2020 as well as projected numbers for 2021. She reviewed the Safer Set Hotline, COVID safety process, claims settlement numbers and membership increases. There were updates to the ongoing advocacy efforts for the film and TV tax incentive in Massachusetts, as well as the upcoming timeline of this year’s election calendar. 

New England Local President Andrea Lyman acknowledged the difficult year we have had and asked for a moment of silence for the loss everyone has experienced. She reviewed efforts by the President’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Safety and reminded members of the resources at the office if there are any issues on set or with payment. 

The evening concluded with a Q&A session with robust questions and discussion. The annual meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.