From Local President Tom McNutt

I hope you and your families had a joyful holiday and I wish you a successful 2017! The newly merged SAG-AFTRA Health Plan went into effect on Jan. 1. Members’ earnings from legacy SAG and legacy AFTRA productions will be combined, making it easier to qualify for health coverage.

The TV/Theatrical Contract will expire on June 30. Negotiations on a new contract will be starting soon. Thank you to everyone who attended the Philadelphia Wages & Working Conditions Committee Meeting on Nov. 15. A number of good suggestions were proposed and sent to the national office for consideration. On Nov. 22, our executive director, Stephen Leshinski, organized a meeting at The Pop Shop in Collingswood, New Jersey, with New Jersey Assemblyman Louis Greenwald to discuss the New Jersey Film Tax Credit legislation that Assemblyman Greenwald introduced. A number of our New Jersey members were in attendance, along with Local Board member Neil Samuels and myself. The focus of the meeting was on the economic importance of the legislation and on the support the legislation needs from our New Jersey members.

I’m happy to announce that the official opening of the Sylvia Kauders Recording Studio was celebrated on Dec. 8 at the SAG-AFTRA office. The studio will be available to our members to self-record their auditions. There will be some training sessions on how to use the equipment soon. If you would like to attend a training session, please contact Lynn at the office at (215) 430-6354. Thanks much to Sylvia’s friends, the staff, John Bell, Meagan Hill, Neil Samuels and Helen McNutt for making this dream a reality. Click here to watch a video of the ribbon-cutting. 

The holiday party was a great success this year. About 100 of our members gathered at the Fox & Hound on Spruce Street to celebrate the season. Thanks to our staff for making the arrangements. A highlight of the evening was a tribute in song to Philadelphia Local Associate Executive Director Shelley Figures, written and directed by Susan Moses. Shelley will be retiring at the end of January. Speaking for all our members: Thank you, Shelley, for your many years of service to our union. We wish you a long and happy retirement. You will be missed!

Lastly, check Jan. 29 on your calendar for the SAG-AFTRA Awards party. This year we will be honoring SAG-AFTRA, DGA and PAFIA member John Rusk for his many contributions to the film industry in our area. Details will be coming soon. Hope to see you there!  

Best wishes, 

Tom