New England Local Holds Virtual Annual Membership Meeting

Members of the New England Local gathered virtually for their annual membership meeting on May 8. Local president Andrea Lyman opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and introducing New England Local Vice President, Broadcast Vic Ramos, who moderated a panel on New Hampshire Public Radio. Featured speakers, Christina Phillips, senior producer for Civics 101; Jack Roolico, senior producer and reporter for podcasts and special projects; and Justine Paradis, senior producer of Outside/In discussed NHPR’s decision to organize under SAG-AFTRA and the challenges they have faced negotiating the unit’s first union contract for the last two years. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions about the negotiation process and show their support.

Following the panel, Lyman shared a welcome video from SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher and then informed members about the new SAG-AFTRA benefit plans for Medicare-eligible members and the sunset of the Return to Work Agreement.

SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Michelle Proude shared the Committee of Locals’ work over the previous year, including its efforts toward reopening offices and conducting in-person member events, like the SAG Awards viewing parties, post-COVID. Additionally, Proude addressed how the COL is developing marketing materials for regional commercials codes and helping members flip jobs to union.

Bill Mootos, National Board member, provided an update on the Board’s recent work, including its approval of an extension of COVID dues hardship waiver for an additional dues cycle. Mootos also provided details on the Writers Guild of America strike and its implications for members as the union heads toward negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The report concluded by highlighting SAG-AFTRA’s support of the bipartisan Performing Artists Tax Parity Act (PATPA) which, if passed, will make critical above-the-line business expense tax deductions available to a broader group of performing artists. 

In his report, Ramos discussed artificial intelligence and its potential impact on broadcasters, and efforts to eliminate AM radios in cars by the auto industry. He also congratulated local broadcast members on their recent awards. Stations WBZ-AM and WBUR were both recipients of the Edward R. Murrow Award, and broadcasters Mike Lynch of WCVB-TV, Carl Steves of WBZ Radio and the late Bill Shields of WBZ-TV will be inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame this summer.

National Director, News and Broadcast Tom Higgins highlighted the 10 broadcast contracts that are currently in negotiations in New England. A variety of issues are on the table, including wages and union minimums, the current financial state of broadcast companies and the impact that AI is having on the industry.

Before the meeting’s Q&A session and adjournment, New England Local Executive Director Jessica Maher reported on the state of film and television production in the Local in 2022, as well as legislation happening in various New England states. Maher also reviewed the new Member Toolkit, which can be found on the SAG-AFTRA website, and the importance of the Safer Set Hotline.