A Message from Atlanta Local President Clayton Landey

Dear Member,

The SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local Board has always strived to represent the best interests of our local membership, while supporting the initiatives of our national leadership. Due to the impact of COVID 19, the SAG-AFTRA local board has been handling official business virtually since mid-March. However to limit confusion in these most trying times, we have relied on the national office to take the lead in communicating with the local membership. The strategy has allowed SAG-AFTRA national leadership to serve as a singular voice during these chaotic times. It has also allowed SAG-AFTRA to focus its resources on the core functions critical to the union, COVID relief legislation for members and the creation of protocols to provide for a safer workplace during this pandemic. 

However, the SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local Board, with support from national leadership, believes it is now important to communicate directly to the local membership. The purpose of this letter is to address the following: 

1. Local impact of decisions made by SAG-AFTRA regarding staff reduction 
2. Actions each member can take to support our local staff as entertainment production continues returning to the Atlanta market 

Over the last several months, SAG-AFTRA has made difficult decisions regarding resource allocation in order to protect the Four Pillars of our mission statement: Organizing, Negotiations, Contract Enforcement and the Collection and Distribution of Payments to Members. 

Unfortunately, the halt in work throughout our industry due to COVID-19 has significantly impacted earnings that constitute a substantial part of SAG-AFTRA’s operating income. After rigorous financial analysis, SAG-AFTRA made the difficult decision to impose staffing reductions across the country on three different occasions in order to respond to the financial repercussions. 

Sadly, our local office has been impacted with a reduction of two dedicated staff members. While this would not have necessarily been a decision that your local board would have made, we recognize that the seriously impacted financial position of SAG-AFTRA necessitated extreme measures to keep the organization afloat. On behalf of SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local members, we extend our most sincere gratitude and heartfelt well-wishes to these extraordinary people for their loyal, steadfast, and untiring service to SAG-AFTRA. 

We recognize that under normal circumstances Atlanta Executive Director Melissa Goodman does an incredible job handling the tremendous local workload, and we are extremely fortunate to have her at the helm. As a result of the staffing changes, she is now joined by Senior Business Representative Jess Speaker, who is currently working remotely from the Washington, DC area. Susan Moss and Alexander Hernandez continue to serve the local as Regional Set Reps. We encourage local members to take actions that both minimize the anticipated strain on resources and to help facilitate a successful process, as production continues to surge to pre-pandemic levels in Georgia and South Carolina.
 
At the time of this letter, our limited staff and two set reps are already busy overseeing contract enforcement, set safety and working conditions on over 30 projects, including the extra requirements of COVID-19 protocol. As the Atlanta Local Board, we will continue to do everything we can to support our local staff and members.

How can you help? 

1. Be patient and review contracts, health, pension and residual information at sagaftra.org to see if questions can be answered online before contacting local and national staff. 
2. Carefully review the “Return to Work Agreement” between SAG-AFTRA and the major film, television, and streaming producers, which provides detailed and binding protocols for productions, as well as “The Safe Way Forward,” which was the original joint union plan for a safer workplace for cast and crew. Both documents are available at sagaftra.org/backtowork, along with many other useful protocols and documents. While it is the responsibility of the employer to maintain a safe working environment, it is critical that members educate themselves about mandatory protocol and safety requirements.
3. If you are able, please consider paying your SAG-AFTRA dues in full. If you are unable to do so, please take advantage of the deferred payment plan to remain a member in good standing. 

Even under the strain of COVID-19, Georgia continues to be a primary destination for entertainment production. Like many industries throughout the world, the impact of this pandemic will affect our industry well into the future. But, united as the faces and voices that entertain and inform the world, we can successfully navigate this difficult season. 

On behalf of the SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local Board members – Eric Goins, Sheila Maddox, Yolanda Asher, Ray Benitez, Adena Brumer, Jon Hayden, Doug Kaye, Keith Meriweather, Mike Pniewski, Ric Reitz and Thom Williams, take care and stay safe. 

Clayton Landey 
President, SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local