Message From the Seattle Local Executive Director

By Shellea Allen

Happy Summer, SAG-AFTRA members!

This spring and summer has been full of exciting SAG-AFTRA union events. It is very important to me to directly engage with members as much as possible. You are the union. I have spent much of my first three months getting to know members in the different areas of the union, including acting, broadcasting and radio. In May, I was able to visit the set of Z Nation filmed in Spokane, Washington, and chat with actors about the union as well as watch our members in action. I was also able to visit Alaska and spend time with our board member Ron Holmstrom, Alaskan actors, and filmmakers at the Machetanz Film Festival.

In June, we had our mid-year membership and new member orientation meeting where we talked about a vision of growing as a union as well as being more visible in our community. We have already started this by participating in Seattle and Portland Pride as well supporting organizing efforts on the picket line with our IATSE union brothers and sisters. 

With the passage of the Corporate/Educational Waiver by the Seattle and Portland boards, the staff at SAG-AFTRA in Seattle have been working with our members to roll out an organizing plan to create more work opportunities for our members in the corporate/educational category. This will be an ongoing three-year organizing plan with the goal of doubling the amount of work in Co/Ed for members. 

In July, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation organized two days of workshops for members in Seattle. Participants got the scoop on casting with Nike Imoru, an audiobook workshop with Paul Liberti, and learned how to “go beyond your brand” with writer/producer Bonnie Gillespie. Our goal is to keep bringing popular events like this to Seattle for our members. 

On July 16, The SAG-AFTRA National Board of Directors approved the establishment of the TV/Theatrical/New Media Wages & Working Conditions and Negotiations Committee and appointed President Gabrielle Carteris as chair. Please stay tuned for dates for wages and working condition meetings this fall, as we prepare for negotiations in the New Year. 

In June and July, we witnessed attacks that affected our membership personally and professionally. From Orlando to Dallas to Minneapolis to Baton Rouge to Afghanistan, our members are often the first ones publically discussing the current events. Whether you are an actor or broadcaster, Americans look to you for information and, often, empathy. It is important that we continue to work together as a union family to create a world of social and economic justice. We will continue these important conversations with local union leadership, members and the larger labor community. Our diversity committee is currently planning an event in October that will focus on African-Americans and opportunity in the film and broadcast industry.  

As the new local executive director, it is my goal to provide a high level of service to our members, empower our members through education and engagement, and raise the standards in our industry by organizing more members into the union. Together, we are strong. 

 
Members at the June membership meeting

Seattle Local elected leaders, members and SAG-AFTRA staff joined forces with the local labor movement, including ILWU and AFT union members, at the 42nd Annual Seattle Pride Parade on June 26 in downtown Seattle.

This item was originally featured in the August 2016 local newsletter.