Union Says Its Presence at BBH Shoots Is Now "The New Normal"
LOS ANGELES — In a clear sign that its #StrikeBBH campaign has escalated to a new phase, SAG-AFTRA members are picketing outside a Brentwood residence this week, after learning that struck ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Inc. (BBH) is filming a commercial for their client Samsung at the location. The shoot continues through the weekend.
SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon and SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin addressed members and led chants directed at BBH. Until this point, the union had rallied outside BBH L.A. and BBH N.Y. offices and at the La Brea Tar Pits. BBH, which is the subject of an ongoing strike by SAG-AFTRA, has been signed to the union’s Commercials Contracts for almost 20 years but claims the union agreement doesn’t apply to them.
“This is now BBH’s new normal until they honor their contract. Moving forward, they can expect our presence at their commercial shoots. Whenever BBH wants to shoot non-union, we’ll be there because this is the new normal and we want them to know that we see you. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: SAG-AFTRA is not going anywhere,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White adds: “Our determined and united membership successfully picketed BBH’s shoot. The support of our growing activist network, which spans the industry, was instrumental in providing the information necessary for swift and effective action.”
SAG-AFTRA members have been instructed not to accept any work for BBH, which is illegally attempting to abandon its union contract and evade its responsibility to always shoot union commercials, pay fair wages, contribute to performers’ pension and health benefits, guarantee safe sets and commit to the responsible and respectful use of performers’ images, voices and performances.
The union asks anyone with information about a BBH shoot to confidentially email adsgounion@sagaftra.org.
Downloadable images are available for use by clicking here. Photo credit: Jesse Grant/SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA members created a picket line at a BBH commercial shoot on Feb. 28, 2019 in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, center, with VP, Los Angeles Clyde Kusatsu, left, and National Board member Jenny O’Hara, right.
SAG-AFTRA members picketed a BBH commercial shoot on Feb. 28, 2019 in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. From left, Ellen National Board member Crawford, VP, Los Angeles Clyde Kusatsu, Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon and Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin.
SAG-AFTRA members keep the pressure up in the fight for fair wages, safe sets, access to health care and a meaningful pension for commercial performers by picketing a BBH commercial shoot, Feb. 28, 2019 in a Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin, far right, and Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, far left, rally the crowd.
SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, far left, and Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin, right, rally BBH picketers in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on Feb. 28, 2019.
SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin, center, joins SAG-AFTRA members in a picket line at a BBH commercial shoot on Feb 28, 2019 in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon stands united with SAG-AFTRA members at a rally against a BBH commercial shoot on Feb 28, 2019 in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.