SAG-AFTRA Exec Honored by Museum

NEW YORK (Oct. 26, 2015) --- SAG-AFTRA executive John McGuire, who serves as the union’s senior advisor, was the guest of honor in a special ceremony hosted by New York’s Museum of the Moving Image.   

At the Oct. 20 dinner at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City, McGuire, who was instrumental in the museum’s founding and served as its vice president and founding chairman, was one of three labor leaders honored for their years of devoted service as trustees.

The museum regularly honors luminaries in the media industry, but this year’s awards ceremony was unusual in that the honorees were all union leaders. The others recognized were Matthew Loeb, international president of IATSE and Thomas O’Donnell, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 817 and director of the Motion Picture and Theatrical Trade Division.

In his remarks, McGuire stressed the importance of cooperation between the industry’s various interests.

“Honoring the IATSE, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and SAG-AFTRA tonight is a fitting recognition of the close collaboration that has existed in the entertainment industry between the union sector on the one hand and the business and political sectors on the other,” McGuire said. “In today's world of factionalism and political infighting this museum stands as a testament to what can be achieved when all segments of our society work together.”

The Museum of the Moving Image, located in Astoria, New York, is dedicated to the appreciation of the art, history and technology of film, television and digital media. It offers permanent and changing exhibitions as well as educational programs, interactive experiences, conversations with leading industry figures, and nearly 500 screenings each year. Find out more at movingimage.us.

Proceeds from the annual St. Regis dinner benefit the museum’s educational programs, which serve 50,000 middle and high school students each year, many of them in New York City’s most underserved neighborhoods.

The museum has a close relationship with the union and any SAG-AFTRA member from any local may enjoy free entry into the museum for themselves and a guest. Admission to screenings and special events is extra. Members must show their current SAG-AFTRA membership card for admission.