National Board Member Report

The holidays are approaching quickly and I hope you will be in the best of health and good spirits.

I would like to thank all who supported me in the recent election and offer a special thank you to Art Lynch for his many years of service to the Nevada Branch/Local. Art has given us much of his time and talent. We have worked (and traveled) together since the early ’90s, striving to make Nevada a better, stronger, unionized place of work. We have seen much growth in this market regarding members and some degree of local work. I hope Art will continue to stay involved, because he is a strong, committed union member. I wish him good health and many blessings.

I also would like to thank Julie Crane, who will be passing on the administration of the Nevada Local to Cynthia Williams. Julie has shown great support for Nevada and has worked very hard to attend to the needs of our members. 

Cynthia Williams will be the new director of locals administration, supporting the San Diego Local and Nevada Local. She has been with SAG-AFTRA since 2013, working within the Residuals Processing Department and Stunts and Safety, and recently served as the regional education and outreach liaison within the Locals Administration Department. She holds a master’s degree in leadership and management and an undergraduate degree in business administration. She starts this position Dec. 4. You’ll have a chance to meet her at the December membership meeting.

I recently attended the SAG-AFTRA convention, and the four days focused on the theme “Our Union, Our Strength, Our Future.” The conventioneers came energized and their union spirit was dynamic. During his speech, National Executive Director David White said, “We have reached a turning point as an institution. There are transformational changes occurring in the industries in which our members work.” In addition to these changes, he said, “SAG-AFTRA must rise to seize the opportunity and meet the challenge.” 

President Gabrielle Carteris and Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon both touched on the importance of mentoring, especially the young members, to inspire and help others to be proactive union members. I would add to their thinking that we are to be examples, especially elected officials, to bring others to the knowledge of what it means to be a union member, both in words and actions.

There is more detailed information about the convention at sagaftra.org and on the convention website.

Brothers and sisters, the industry has expanded from the traditional TV/film studio productions to internet/new media. The internet corporations brought entertainment and advertising to a different venue. The industry is changing and diversifying. SAG-AFTRA will meet these challenges as it travels, navigating these routes with intellectual diligence to keep our union driving in concert without losing what we have gained in all our negotiated efforts. Let us stay strong and hold to Global Rule One.

I wish you happy holidays and a good new year! 

In solidarity, 

Steve Dressler
National Board Member