A Message from NY Local President Ezra Knight

Being the son of a strong mother, single brother to three amazing sisters, a husband to a loving wife, and father to two wonderful daughters, I can say every month is Women’s History Month in my life. Among other things, this month symbolizes women’s demand for equality in the workplace, equity in the socio-political space, agency & choices over their bodies and lives and the history of that continuing battle. SAG-AFTRA stands in solidarity with that struggle.

As union members we are fortunate to have collective bargaining agreements in place that help level the playing field regardless of gender or sex. SAG-AFTRA members are also fortunate to belong to an organization with so many women in positions of leadership. Your very own SAG-AFTRA New York Local board is made up of an equal number of women and men, reflecting the true makeup and diversity of the region we represent. When women are in the room, we see lasting change that benefits all. There are a number of upcoming events this month that bring attention to both how far we’ve come, and how much further we have to go.

Tuesday, March 15 is National Equal Pay Day, the symbolic date when full-time working women’s wages equal the wages earned by full-time working men in the prior year. Join SAG-AFTRA and PowHerNY for a Statewide Rally for Women’s Equal Pay Day and post to your social media accounts using #sagaftramember #EqualPayNY #EqualPayDay.

On Saturday, March 19 Women in the Arts and Media Coalition (WAMCO) presents, ​​Conversations In America:​ ​2020 Vision - The Year We Saw Everything. Attendees of this virtual online production will screen a compilation of short pieces on all kinds of discrimination from members of WAMCO’s full and affiliate member organizations. 

Finally, Friday, March 25 is the 111th anniversary of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire. This annual event remembers the 146 workers, mostly young women, whose deaths helped set the framework for modern-day safety measures. Join your siblings in Labor at the Official Virtual Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Commemoration from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Forward together,

Ezra Knight
New York Local President