LOS ANGELES (April 10, 2016) --- The SAG-AFTRA National Board, meeting this weekend in Los Angeles at SAG-AFTRA Plaza, unanimously approved the recently negotiated commercials contracts and took action on several items including the previously reported historic election of Gabrielle Carteris as president, to fulfill the term of the late Ken Howard, and Rebecca Damon as executive vice president.
The national board unanimously approved the deal reached with the ad industry Apr. 3 on new television, audio and digital commercials contracts. The details of the agreement are forthcoming and will be submitted to the membership for ratification.
Formal negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and the advertising industry began on Feb. 17 and concluded April 3.
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said, "This contract speaks to the livelihood of members today – and in the future. We look forward to presenting the agreement to the membership for ratification."
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator David White said, “I congratulate the board on the approval of this agreement. Our negotiating committee, led by President Carteris and Co-Chair Sue-Anne Morrow, faced very tough issues and, working together, secured an excellent and forward-looking deal for our membership.”
SAG-AFTRA was represented by SAG-AFTRA President and Negotiating Committee Co-Chair Gabrielle Carteris, Co-Chair Sue-Anne Morrow, Chief Negotiator David White, Co-Lead Negotiators Ray Rodriguez and Mathis Dunn and Senior Advisor John McGuire.
The plenary began with an in memoriam for those SAG-AFTRA members and staff who passed away since the last national board meeting. Board members shared stories and reflections about the late President Ken Howard and former Screen Actors Guild President Anna Patty Duke Pearce.
In other business, the national board received reports including:
President’s Report
SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris paid tribute to the late Ken Howard and vowed to carry on his work while redoubling her commitment to the membership. She also reported to the board that a SAG-AFTRA mobile app will launch later this year.
National Executive Director’s Report
White opened by sharing memories of working side-by-side with Howard. He then reported to the board on the union’s member and customer service initiative, and provided a progress update on the development of a mobile app for members. He also detailed the continued progress towards merging the legacy P&H and H&R plans. White updated members on the progress of the President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement, and the A Call to Arts partnership with the White House and with AFI. White reported on the success of SAG-AFTRA’s recent New York Salon Dinner honoring the Ghetto Film School and David O.Russell, a chief patron of the school. White also discussed the union’s efforts to advance the issue of diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices, and praised the efforts of its Human Resources and senior management teams in this critical initiative.
Finance Report
Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin and Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto presented the fiscal year 2017 projected budget indicating that it is expected to yield a larger surplus compared to FY16 budget due to increased revenue
Legal and Governance Report
Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland reported on Executive Committee actions and provided an update on several governance and administrative recommendations, including local constitutional amendments and other matters.
The board also passed by acclamation a motion to name the Membership Services Center in the Los Angeles national headquarters the Ken Howard Membership Center, and to rename the New York Board Room the Ken Howard New York Boardroom.
The board also approved the reestablishment of the Howard Keel Award, which honors members from locals outside of New York and Los Angeles who have given extraordinary service to the union and its members.
The meeting concluded at 2:15 p.m., Sunday, April 10.
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