National Board Member Report

We are the greatest union in the world — for actors we are the standard. That is how I and many others describe our still-new union, SAG-AFTRA. We are the union of the future.

It is up to us, the membership, to keep this union strong and build toward an even brighter future. Thank you to all of you who take part in local events, including the recent SAG Foundation events, the Fifth Annual Las Vegas Halloween Parade and the membership meeting. It was good to see the SAG Foundation return to Nevada, as one of many member-centered services we have been working on from the national and local levels. Do check out and take full advantage of video and other services at the new foundation website. There are many services for members and their families available — take a look.

Thank you to all of you who tell others about our union, who evangelize the need for unions and who help turn SAG-AFTRA-eligible performers into SAG-AFTRA members.

You are not in violation of Rule One if you audition for non-union work, only if you accept and do the work without a union contract. The power to help organize and to build future work in Nevada is in your hands. Show those hiring that union means talent. And report anyone who works without a union contract to your union.

Harsh words, but it's a building block for supporting the union that has given us gains in both the commercial and theatrical contracts, provided the first-ever music video contract and unified entertainment union professionals under one umbrella, SAG-AFTRA.

I have worked low-budget roles under contract, background and principal, after auditioning and gaining help from union staff to organize a project. You can too.

The holidays are here, and with them a time for family, friends, comrades and location shooting.

If you wish to work, keep in close touch with your agent and the location background casting companies. Also, prove to the non-union producers that you are worth a union contract and will not work without one.

The work is out there and is growing for Nevada actors.

Feel free to contact me on any issues you may have concerns with that I should take to the National Board or committees.

Together, we can make 2015 and beyond union years here in Nevada!

May you have the best of holidays and a very happy new year.

Solidarity,

Art Lynch
National Board Member

This item was originally featured in the December 2014 local newsletter.