Portland Local President’s Report

“If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.” ― Eldridge Cleaver

I’ve always prided myself in being a problem-solver. My mantra to pretty much any obstacle has been, “There is always a way.” I’ve said this many times over the years to myself, to my children and to pretty much anyone feeling defeated or stuck.

This year I’ve witnessed the act of complaining on an epic scale. When I ask people how they would fix it — whatever it is they are complaining about — very few have an answer or a potential solution. It is so easy to sit back, point fingers and judge, but to really think over a situation, mull over pros and cons, ponder and wonder — that takes time, it takes effort. You have to CARE!  

We all face situations and obstacles that seem unsurmountable at times, and that’s especially true this year. At times like this, the company you keep becomes critical; I’m so fortunate to hold the company of our SAG-AFTRA Portland Local Board, other presidents and leaders in locals across the United States, the leadership at the AFL-CIO and countless union siblings. Together, we are always stronger in the face of adversity. I’d always choose the spirit of a union family.

I often hear people complain that there isn’t enough union work. Do you know why? Because someone said YES to LESS. Someone chose lower standards, chose to forgo basic worker protections, etc. Every time someone makes that choice, it lowers the bar and it leads directly to less union work.  

So if we care to correct the problem, the solution is actually very simple. Don’t accept LESS; expect MORE! When you see “NON-union,” it rarely means “ANTI-union.” Often, people just don’t know; they are unaware of the options, they have misconceptions, they think it will be too expensive. When I take the time to educate people and explain that working under a union contract is how professionals in our industry do business, explain that this is how actors earn their pensions and health care and protect themselves in the workplace, more often than not, those people say, “WOW! I had no idea!”  

Now I’m not saying that every job is easily made union; sometimes it is too late to file paperwork or the production doesn’t have insurance, but I’ve planted seeds, I’ve informed and I’ve given them MORE choices.  

So as we forge ahead into the winter, I invite you to try these principles:

• There is always a way.
• Don’t accept less; expect more.
• Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can’t.

Progress starts with a conversation. 

Be well, 

Michelle Damis