SAG-AFTRA National Board of Directors Meets in Los Angeles

Sets Key Dates for Commercials Wages and Working Conditions Process

Los Angeles (Oct. 6, 2015) – Following the union’s four-day convention in Los Angeles, the SAG-AFTRA National Board of Directors met Monday and Tuesday in Los Angeles. In addition to other actions, the board set dates for the Wages and Working Conditions (W&W) process, which commences October 19 and concludes on or about November 20, 2015. Specific details regarding location and timing of W&W meetings across the country will be provided to members in the coming days.

The National Board received reports including:

President’s Report
Howard provided a report highlighting activities at the union’s second biennial convention. Howard praised Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris and Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin on their convention speeches and applauded National Executive Director David White for his operations report.

Howard also thanked Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland for his work coordinating and managing the union’s second biennial convention held in Los Angeles Oct. 1 – 4.

“If our first convention was about celebrating our merger and setting a path for our new union, this second convention was about recognizing our achievements and leveraging our strengths. Member engagement and empowerment are the heart of organizing,” said Howard. Our delegates are committed to these ideals and to carrying this message of action back to their members in locals across the country.”

National Executive Director’s Report
National Executive Director David White provided an operations overview to the board including an introduction to executive staff leadership and information on the union’s functional areas. White outlined the union’s strategic initiatives, institutional focus and core functions on contract-related activities, administration and support. Joined by Chief Economist David Viviano, White reported on membership trends, earnings and claims resolved. 

White also thanked the members and staff for their work on the union’s second biennial convention.

“The second SAG-AFTRA Convention was an absolute success. I am inspired by the terrific engagement between our delegates over the course of three days, and by the tremendous support that our staff gave leading up to, and throughout the convention.  The workshops were educational, the speeches empowering and the social activities extremely enjoyable. I think our members are prepared to return to their home markets to engage others and advance the union’s objectives nationwide over the next two years,” White said.

Finance Report
The board received a confidential finance report from Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin and Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto.  Austin and Ozzanto reported that fiscal year 2016 first quarter results are on plan and tracking to budget.

Joined by National Director of Administration Tim Klassen, Austin and Ozzanto also provided a report on the union’s facilities across the nation and various upgrades underway in several offices.

Contracts Report
Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez provided a negotiations update and announced dates for the commercials contracts wages and working conditions process commencing October 19 and concluding on or about November 30, 2015.

Legal Report
Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland reported on the union’s successful foreign royalties program.

Organizing Report
National Director of Organizing Steve Sidawi reported on the union’s organizing activities including an update on the commercials organizing and recapture effort and confidential reports on other priority actions underway.

Government Affairs and Public Policy
Chief Deputy General Counsel, Legal & Government Affairs, Jeff Bennett presented an update on legislative and public policy initiatives.

Professional Representatives
National Director, Professional Representatives, Zino Macaluso reported on recent activity in his department.

In other business, the board approved the appointment of chairs to its various committees and reviewed and acted upon several administrative and governance matters.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 p.m. PT.

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