A Message From Seattle Local President Deborah Horne

Hello SAG-AFTRA Members,

The start of a new season always fills me with renewed hope.

I love every season — yes, including the PNW's dark, wet and snowy winters. But there is something enchanting about spring, no matter where in our Local you rest your head, for it reminds us that a glorious season awaits.

JOHN SANDIFER

It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of legacy AFTRA national and Local leader, and former Local Executive Director, John Sandifer. John was a fierce competitor, working for KOMO and KING TV in Seattle; the kind of broadcaster you never forgot if you had the good fortune of meeting him — or misfortune, if you were covering the same story.

And what a union leader he was! John fought tooth and nail for broadcasters and AFTRA-represented performers, leaving an indelible mark before we merged as one with our sister union, SAG. He was also a watercolor artist, avid fly fisherman and the author of six award-winning nonfiction books. 

Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and former colleagues. His was a life well-lived, and he is already missed. 

NATAS SILVER CIRCLE AWARD

“Fierce” is just one adjective used to describe Susannah Frame, KING's chief investigative reporter. “Tenacious and fearless” is how the Northwest Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, or NATAS, describes the award-winning journalist as she’s being inducted into the Silver Circle this year. The award honors those whose career is at least 25 years long and has made an impact on the industry and their community.

Susannah is among the eight Silver Circle inductees for this year. No one is more deserving.

The Gold Circle & Silver Circle honorees will be celebrated Friday, June 6, at Fremont Studios in Seattle. All are invited. Yes, that includes you!

SAG AWARDS

This year's SAG Awards finally saw our dream come true: a viewing party held inside a movie theater. Central Cinema in Seattle's Central District was the setting in the Emerald City for the 31st annual awards show, which was streamed live on Netflix.  There were also watch parties in Bellingham and Boise, ID.

I couldn't be there (duty called). But those who were said it was the perfect location to watch a show highlighting the award-deserving work of actors and movies. Please let us know what you think about the movie theater location. 

We hope to see all of you at a watch party of your choice in 2026. It is fun, and there's even swag for those who guess the winners best!

#AdsGoUNION

SAG-AFTRA's #AdsGoUnion Commercial Organizing Campaign is a “member-driven initiative that protects and increases union commercial work,” and its goal is to “build relationships in the industry to work together to promote and maintain the highest standards for our work.”

The Seattle Local has had some success, particularly with state agencies, in getting more union advertising work. But often, a new administration and new leaders mean the work is never done. We need your help turning the tide against non-union commercial work.

If you have information about a non-union commercial, please email adsgounion@sagaftra.org. The information will be kept confidential. 

Please let SAG-AFTRA know about such work so we can work to make those ads “go union.”

Remember: you are the union. SAG-AFTRA does not exist without you! So let's roll up our sleeves together. Being great is hard work!

In unity,

Deborah Horne
Seattle Local President