National Board Member Report

Goal: To profit and empower professionals and the community to enrich other people’s lives and their own through professionalism and union pride.

I am a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, the largest entertainment and media union in the world. I am sure you are as well. Join me in celebrating our history and our future together, and working toward that future for the benefit of all talent everywhere.

The Screen Actors Guild was founded in 1933 in a risky move by working actors to counter growing studio strength during the Great Depression. The American Federation of Radio Artists (later the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, or AFTRA) was founded in 1937 to protect the interests of actors, broadcasters and recording artists.

On March 30, 2012, just over three years ago, a new union, SAG-AFTRA, was formed, born out of the two legacy unions. Together, we represent the interests of working artists and broadcasters coast to coast.

There are many benefits of working under SAG-AFTRA contracts, from pension and health to getting checks on time. The regulation of work hours, minimum compensation, safety on the set and in the workplace, including simple things like food, water, protection from the elements and a place to sit, are the result of union contract negotiations. There are also many other member benefits, including discounted passes to events or shows, free workshops and seminars and educational opportunities.

We rely on initiation fees and dues, up against the billions in profits and legal coffers of management and those who would see actors and broadcasters work for nothing, or near nothing, in whatever conditions they dictate.

Those who work our contracts without joining or paying dues or fees are stealing our hard-fought union privileges and are taking advantage of what we, as members, have paid and fought for. Join me in asking non-members to join our ranks and in encouraging casting directors to only use professional union talent.

An educational and informational outreach initiative is being crafted to help all of us promote unionism and understand the privilege and responsibility of being union in this time of change, a time of constant battle against the forces who seek to end unions. Expect it to roll out over the next year. That said, there is no reason for you to wait.

Volunteers are needed for a wide range of committees, and this summer there will be elections for the local board and officers, and for members to represent Nevada this fall at the second SAG-AFTRA convention in L.A. Please consider stepping up to serve. Become active in helping others, serving our membership and leading the way for our still-new and promising union.

Remind those who are “pre-union” that they can join at a reduced rate in Nevada and that there are payment plans. Remind them that the Oscars, Emmys and the world we call Hollywood is dominated by union talent — SAG-AFTRA talent.

Audition for and encourage producers to use professional union talent under contracts that are much more affordable and easy to use than they may have heard from the anti-union and non-union advocates. I have requested training here in Nevada for members who want to learn more, whether to appear in your own work or to inform and encourage others to use your talents in their projects.

A great deal of union pride has been exhibited at the SAG Awards parties, at our parades and special events and at membership meetings. It is time to take it to the streets. Keep on top of SAG-AFTRA emails, newsletters and meetings.

Consider running for office or serving on a committee. Jump on the union bandwagon you became a part of when you joined SAG-AFTRA! Be proud. Be union.

Help us profit and empower our members and others to make Nevada a working market for actors and all professionals in the entertainment and information industries.

Feel free to contact me at nevada@sagaftra.org if you have questions or would like to talk.

Art Lynch
National Board of Directors
Nevada

This item was originally featured in the March 2015 local newsletter.