Dear Member,
First and foremost, thank you for your support and steadfast show of solidarity during our 118-day strike. Collectively, our unwavering strength and commitment to a brighter future for the Entertainment Industry has resulted in a new tentative agreement with the AMPTP! And now you have the chance to help us to lock in more than $1 billion in new wages and benefit plan funding, along with the gains that were most important to our membership, including a new success-based bonus for those who work in streaming and important protections around the use of AI, guardrails never before included in our contracts.
Now, if you know me, you know that I truly believe that a great source of Empowerment comes through Education. That’s why it is essential that we all take the time to get educated about what this agreement has achieved for working performers.
I know many of you have already taken the time to read the summary of the agreement that our union put together. If you haven’t read it yet, I urge you to start today.
After you’ve read the summary, check out an informational session. It was great to see so many of you at this past Sunday’s session, led by our National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland! If you weren’t able to attend, no worries, there are videos of other sessions available at sagaftra.org/contracts2023, where there are also FAQs, AI resources and voting information.
If you still have unanswered questions, you may email tvtheatrical2023@sagaftra.org or call (323) 549-6832.
Your National Board, Negotiating Committee and I urge you to vote yes on this agreement. After you have had a chance to study the information, please visit vote.ivsballot.com/tvtheatrical2023 and VOTE YES by 5 p.m. PT on Dec. 5, 2023.
I am so proud of what we have accomplished. And I hope you are too. Now, let’s take it across the finish line.
Wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday,
Charles Andrew Gardner
Chicago Local President