National Board Member Report

I watched the SAG Awards with great pride. We are the largest entertainment union in the world, representing actors, artists of many types, journalists, broadcasters and media industry professionals.

Communication, involvement and remaining active in the world around us have never been more important for the future of all unions, and for our professions.

I have been involved in committee work to provide a wonderful tool for all union actors, the new SAG-AFTRA app. We are working on social media, publications and a major upgrade of the SAG-AFTRA website. Your input, feedback and ideas are always welcome as we continue to move forward.

A Member Care Contact Center has been set up to ensure phone calls are routed and returned to members. The union will continue to upgrade and improve it. 

Our union does not endorse or spend money to support any political party or candidate. We are a diverse body, with members of every belief. We do get involved in issues that directly impact our industry and the potential for work under contract. This is an international industry; recent political developments have led to statements from our national staff and president on issues that our members hold dear, such as the First Amendment and arts funding.

Less than 3 percent of our dues go toward any political or social issues, focused mostly on what is in the best interests of all of our current and future membership. Much of this is in legal fees, but a small amount puts boots on the ground nationally, in California and the states where our members live. 

SAG-AFTRA lobbied to protect actors' ages from being disclosed in California on IMDb for protection of our income flows, both domestic and abroad. Become involved in local and national legislative committees to see how a very small percentage or our dues is being used.

While it may not be all about our union, the issues at stake are of great concern to unions and unionists: “right-to-work,” travel, safety in the workplace and other issues that impact our members and our union, SAG-AFTRA. 

SAG-AFTRA broadcasters are on the front line of defending the First Amendment, which reads, in part, “Congress shall make no law … prohibiting the free exercise … or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

This is the year of our vital TV/Theatrical contracts. We are going in strong and committed to meeting the future needs of our membership.

We are also in the midst of a long-targeted strike against some major video game producers. This action started as a grass-roots movement by those who work the contract and know the nature of the work they must perform, both on and off camera. 

There are many changes occurring in our industry and many right around the corner. From virtual reality to Wi-Fi delivery, “synthetic thespians” to cardboard and computer graphic background actors, from definition of television to the question of whether film still really exists. Many issues will come into play in these negotiations, including wages, working conditions, safety, the newly united SAG-AFTRA Health Plan and the very way we make a living.

Be prepared for rapid change, not just under or in the contracts, but in this industry we love. Change is coming faster than ever before. We must be ready for it, have our skills at an all-time high level and be able to fight the growth of “right-to-work” (and be fired at will) laws and qualified non-union talent.

Be ready to show the world we are union talent.

We are in a profession where the future will be wonderful and scary, changing and rewarding. 

Feel free to contact me at nevada@sagaftra.org with your concerns, questions or interests in our union. 

In solidarity,

Art Lynch 
National Board Member

This item was originally featured in the April 2017 local newsletter.