Message from Co-President Vaughn

Dear Members,

Happy anniversary! March 30 marks one year since SAG and AFTRA members delivered their historic merger vote, and it has been a busy and productive one. Our second year promises to be even busier, with many important events ahead. Here's a quick look at some of what the next 12 months should include:

Commercials Contract Vote
If the current negotiations are successful, a contract could be voted on by members this spring.

SAG-AFTRA Nationwide Elections
This summer, SAG-AFTRA members will get to choose who fills every elected office in our union (more below).

SAG-AFTRA National Convention in Los Angeles
From Sept. 26-29, hundreds of elected delegates from across the country will assemble in Los Angeles for our first national convention.

SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Contract Nationwide W&W Process
This fall, members will have the opportunity to help prepare for the TV/Theatrical Contract negotiations.

SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Contract Negotiations in Los Angeles
Look for these vital contract talks to begin early in 2014.

All that and much more will be coming your way during SAG-AFTRA's second year. It's an exciting roster of events that will determine the direction of our union and complete a crucial transition that began one year ago.

Many significant milestones were passed in our first year. In addition to securing the first-ever industrywide music video contract with major record labels, we successfully negotiated dozens of broadcast contracts across the country. Here in Los Angeles, SAG-AFTRA won an important organizing victory by adding KPCC-FM — one of the top public radio stations in the nation — to the list of broadcast units we represent. And we are currently negotiating the first-ever SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract.

Those contract activities are only part of our evolution; another aspect has been the consolidation of the legacy staff and operations structures into a unified organization. Working with elected leaders and staff across the country, National Executive Director David White has carefully managed the continuing process of streamlining and integration. SAG-AFTRA members expect and deserve solutions that will put our new union on the strongest possible footing for years to come, even when that means shedding familiar old ways in favor of new approaches.

So, in the year since merger, we have negotiated numerous contracts, waged multiple successful organizing campaigns, and taken important steps to consolidate and streamline SAG-AFTRA staff and operations. As that work continues, one of the most critical areas of our transition will begin in less than two months: Starting May 15, nomination petitions will be available for those interested in running for elected office in SAG-AFTRA.

The 16-month transitional co-governance of prior SAG and AFTRA elected representatives will end this summer, and SAG-AFTRA members will have the opportunity to elect representatives of their own. Our first election will be unique, because every elected position will be open — from national president right down to hundreds of convention delegate seats across the country. Most important, it will be the first opportunity for SAG-AFTRA members to elect SAG-AFTRA leaders without reference to our legacy unions — making our transformation even more complete. Full election details will be available in the upcoming issue of the national magazine and on the SAG-AFTRA website in May.

Please make sure to mark June 9 on your calendar. That's the date of our next Los Angeles Local membership meeting, and I hope to see you there.

Onward together,

Ned Vaughn

This item was originally featured in the April 2013 local newsletter.