Appreciation and gratitude to all members! Here is a highlight of some important recent items:
New England Local Facebook Page: Our New England Local now has an official Facebook page. Check it out, like and follow , and keep up to date on news and events happening in New England. #sagaftranewengland
Commercial Contract W&Ws: The union is heading into negotiations for the national Commercials Contract and the Audio Commercials Contract. Proposals for the negotiations are developed through the involvement of all members. The New England voice needs to be heard, so consider participating in the W&W (wages and working conditions) process via a local. Our SAG-AFTRA New England Local W&W Committee chairs are Maria Wilkins and Michele Proude.
The next New England Local Commercials Contract W&W Zoom meeting is Nov. 25, 6–7:30 p.m.
Elimination of the Local Travel Waiver: As of Jan. 1, 2025, the 500-mile travel waiver will no longer be available to TV/Theatrical signatory producers. When in use, the waiver was restricted to day performers (schedule A) on an overnight location who were not otherwise working on a travel day and were within 500 miles of the production. The waiver was not applicable to California- and New York-based performers.
Before eliminating the travel waiver, producers were provided relief from the payment of travel time (salary) on days when performers traveled and no other work was performed. All other travel protections for performers working on an overnight location followed the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
The New England Local Board met over the summer and voted to sunset the waiver. All other locals voted to do the same. Due to the current landscape of transient production and an increasingly transient workforce, it is believed the travel provisions as negotiated in the collective bargaining agreement should be applied equally to all members.
National Board Meeting, Committee of Locals and Local Presidents Forum: I had the privilege to attend these meetings in Los Angeles. The extended weekend was packed with information and new ideas sparking innovation and inspiration. It was grand to meet with so many people in person with whom I had been chatting for years over Zoom. We exchanged information about similarities and differences in our locals. Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Michele Proude did our local proud, co-leading the Committee of Locals’ spectacular meetings, which included a presentation by AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler.
Conservatory and NextGen Events: The New England NextGen Committee hosted a Game Night on Oct. 23. Our Gen Z and millennial members competed in Jenga, munched on snacks and met new faces. On Nov. 6, the New England Conservatory presented an actors prep workshop in collaboration with the Roxbury International Film Festival and the Secret Society of Black Creatives. This public event was fantastic. It featured a sample of vocal, physical and emotional acting exercises and games for auditions, callbacks and filming.
New England Local Holiday Party, Dec. 16: Mark your calendar for a local holiday party on Dec. 16, hosted by the New England NextGen Committee. The party will be on the second floor of the Wild Rover Bar & Nightspot near Faneuil Hall from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by karaoke on the stage street level. All members are invited to bring a guest — we look forward to seeing you there! RSVP here.
Sincerely and in solidarity,
Andrea Lyman
SAG-AFTRA New England Local President
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