News and Paraprosdokians: Notes from Our National Board Member

As you are probably aware, we are in the midst of preparing for commercials contracts negotiations. The current contract expires on March 31, 2016. The local W&W Negotiating Committee never did materialize, probably because this is not the primary contract our members work under. If you would like to explore being on a future Commercial W&W Committee or would like to participate in this process in the future without joining the committee, please send your contact information and  ideas to neworleans@sagaftra.org.

We are in the negotiation phase of the Interactive Media Agreement. The strike authorization referendum passed by a 96.52-percent margin. This does not mean that there will be a strike; it simply authorizes the Negotiating Committee to initiate a strike if it feels a strike is necessary.

Many benefits are available to SAG-AFTRA members, even if you do not qualify under the health or pension plans. A few of the benefits and contact sources are as follows:

• AT&T Wireless savings: Visit UnionPlus.org/ATT for coupons and local stores (use FAN# 3508840).

• Mortgage program: Will help make mortgage payments if you are out of work. Call 1-800-848-6466.

• Entertainment discounts: Call 1-800-565-3712 for discounts on theme parks, movie theaters, zoos, museums, etc. Use ID No. 744387769.

• Medical bill help: Experts will negotiate on your behalf to reduce costs or set up reasonable payment plans. Visit UnionPlus.org/Bill Negotiator.

A sampling of interesting paraprosdokians:

• Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.

• To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.

• I didn’t say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.

• You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.

• I used to be indecisive. Now I’m not sure.

That’s all for now. See ya next time!

Fraternally yours,

Charles Ferrara

National Board Member and Local Vice President

Ed. Note: “A paraprosdokian is a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected in a way that causes the reader or listener to re-frame or re-interpret the first part. It is frequently used for humorous or dramatic effect. For this reason, it is extremely popular among comedians and satirists.” (Source)

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