Dear Fellow SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-NorCal Local Members,
Greetings and happy new year!
I want to celebrate the strength, endurance and dedication of you, SF-NorCal members!
What a year 2023 was! We were barely coming off years of isolation and lost work opportunities due to COVID when we faced a major strike action against the AMPTP in support of our cornerstone TV/Theatrical Contracts.
During the strike — which lasted 118 days — our local members stepped up and showed up!
- We kicked off with a march from our office for a solidarity photo op at the Embarcadero cable car turn-around.
- Held two rallies on the steps of SF City Hall, with speeches and support from members of the Board of Supervisors.
- Gathered from near and far for a grand rally in Sacramento on the steps of the State Capitol Building, with impassioned and inspirational support from state elected leaders.
- Were hosted by our brethren, the Teamsters, for an enthusiastic gathering at their Oakland facility.
- Covered the North Bay with a well-attended rally in downtown San Rafael.
- Held a large photo op and leafleting opportunity at Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point, with heartfelt support by visitors from across the country and globe!
- And, importantly: Having Netflix headquarters here, in our local, we held several enthusiastic, hours-long pickets at the entrance to the Netflix campus in Los Gatos!
- It was so very heartening to hear the honks of support from cars, trucks and buses passing by. The general public was behind us!
Many thanks to all who were able to attend these solidarity events, as well as those who were there in spirit! We secured a groundbreaking contract which will serve us well for decades to come!
I want to specifically thank our dedicated strike captains for all their hard work and leadership, and I am sending a shout-out to all who participated: Members who came from far and wide — including those who drove a 250-plus mile round trip from Sacramento to Los Gatos, members with their kids in tow, members with physical challenges, members who showed up no matter the chill of the fog or heat from the blistering sun.
And a special thanks to our broadcast members for standing with us and for their news coverage that kept our strike and the issues in the public eye!
***
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS have resumed with a well-attended meeting on Nov. 13. Thanks to all who braved the traffic during APEC! Our guest speaker for the night was local film writer and director Finn Taylor, whose latest film, Avenue of the Giants recently screened at the Mill Valley Film Festival. The panel discussion, moderated by Local Board member Rajiv Shah, was inspiring, informative and entertaining. We are lucky to have such a prolific and talented filmmaker as Finn Taylor in our market!
LOCAL BOARD: We have resumed in-person Local Board meetings. I want to congratulate and welcome new and returning Local Board members and officers! And many thanks to all who ran for office.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS: We will also soon resume Local committee meetings, which are a great opportunity to have your voices and ideas heard. Look for more information in the near future!
SAG AWARDS VIEWING PARTY: Save the date: Saturday, Feb. 24. We hope you can join us! RSVP here.
Here’s to a great year ahead, with renewed purpose, ample work opportunities, artistic fulfillment, union solidarity and camaraderie! We have emerged stronger together.
Wishing you all a healthy, happy, prosperous year!
Onward!
Kathryn Howell
San Francisco-Northern California Local President
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