A Message From WMA Local President Tracee Wilkins

Hello Everyone,

I begin this message with a heavy heart. My NBC4 Washington news family lost a dear friend and colleague in the new year. Derrick Ward was a reporter with News4 for nearly 20 years. He died Jan. 7 due to complications from cardiac arrest. Before joining NBC4, Ward worked for WTOP Radio. A Washington, D.C., native, Ward was a dedicated father, kind man and well respected journalist. Please join me in wishing his three children, family, friends and coworkers Godspeed during this difficult time. 

Our local now has an official Facebook page! We invite you to follow the SAG-AFTRA Washington-Mid Atlantic Local Facebook page. It is a great resource for you to keep up to date on what is happening in the WMA Local.

Actor/performers, as of Jan. 1, 2025, the 500-Mile Travel Waiver is no longer 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. Over the summer, all locals, including our own, voted to sunset the waiver in order to be more equitable to all members. As a reminder, there is no designation of “modified regional hire” under our agreements. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to wma@sagaftra.org.

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, the Washington-Mid Atlantic Local will be joining IATSE Local 487 and the Virginia Production Alliance as sponsors for Lobbying Day at the General Assembly Building in Richmond, Virginia, beginning at 8:30 a.m. RSVP here. There will also be a Legislative Cocktail Meet-and-Greet beginning at 6 p.m. RSVP here. This is a great opportunity for you to meet the lawmakers and explain why incentives matter! If you have any questions, please reach out to Ryan Hastings at ryan.hastings@sagaftra.org.

Broadcasters, our Local Broadcast Steering Committee is taking its meetings on the road and visiting TV and radio stations around our local. We will be discussing topics that are important to you. We are encouraging all interested broadcasters to attend these in-person sessions and learn more about what our union is doing for you and how you can serve SAG-AFTRA. Please look out for more information on upcoming events and opportunities to mingle with your fellow broadcasters.

Thank you to our new Washington-Mid Atlantic Mental Health group for holding its first session for our members. This group offers a monthly safe space to discuss the challenges that you may face in your personal and professional life with caring and concerned peers. Active participation in a group session can encourage good mental health, so please watch for the next meeting. Invites are sent via email.

I hope you all are looking forward to gathering together in celebration for the live broadcast of the SAG Awards. All members are invited. The awards program is broadcast on Sunday, Feb. 23, at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix. I know this is one of the events that members look forward to each year, as it gives us an opportunity to gather together and celebrate. Please expect a formal announcement soon with information on how to RSVP, but for now, please save the date for our gathering in Chantilly, Virginia at 6:30 p.m.

Please remember, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund is a resource as North Carolina and parts of Virginia continue to rebuild after the hurricane devastation and as the wildfires are impacting so many in Los Angeles.

Everyone, please enjoy the benefits that we have fought for and take comfort in your union membership!

In solidarity,

Tracee Wilkins
Washington-Mid Atlantic Local President