Screen Actors Guild Members and Other Union Members Participate in Annual Labor Day Tweet-a-Thon

August 31, 2011

The #Unionmember Advantage in 140 Characters or Less
José Bautista, Candace Cameron Bure, Rosanne Cash, Domonique Foxworth,
and Other Celebs Speak Out for Unions during Labor Day Tweet-a-Thon

America’s athletes, actors, recording artists, Broadway performers, and broadcasters have one thing in common: they’re union members. So this Labor Day, they are using Twitter to come together with other union members and workers’ rights supporters from across the country to celebrate the role unions play in creating fair workplaces—and a fair economy.

Throughout the weekend, union members who work in entertainment, sports, and news media will tweet about the advantages of being a #unionmember for themselves and for workers in each sector of the economy. And they’ll do it all in 140 characters or less. 

Just a few of the athletes and celebrities participating this year include: Toronto’s right fielder & MLB home run champion José Bautista (@JoeyBats19); KCBS reporter Bob Butler (@BobButler7); Make It or Break It star Candace Cameron Bure (@CandacecBure); actress Gabrielle Carteris (@TheGabrielle_C) of Beverly Hills, 90210 fame; recording artist Rosanne Cash (@RosanneCash); Baltimore Ravens cornerback Domonique Foxworth (@foxworth24); writer/comedian Jon Friedman (@friedmanjon); Covert Affairs star Christopher Gorham (@Chris_Gorham); Breaking Bad actor RJ Mitte (@RjMitte); Philadelphia’s All-Star shortstop & 2007 NL MVP Jimmy Rollins (@Jimmyrollins11); lead guitarist for the Foo Fighters Chris Shiflett (@ChrisShiflett71); Texas pitcher & 2011 All-Star C.J. Wilson (@str8edgeracer); and Actors’ Equity members from across the country.

On Labor Day, Americans commemorate the protections, rights, and opportunities that workers’ rights advocates have achieved in years past. But as so many working families struggle to make ends meet, it’s just as important to underscore the critical ways that unions promote balance and fairness for workers today—in showbiz, on the field, and in every industry.

In the words of AFTRA member and broadcaster Bob Butler, “Unions have given so much to this country—weekends, health care, the middle class—that we have to stand together lest we fall apart."

Explains AFTRA and SAG member Gabrielle Carteris, “I come from a union family—my children are raised in a union home. I teach them that we all have a right to fair wages, security, protection and health. I am a proud union member!”

Says Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Rosanne Cash, “For my entire adult life, I have been a proud member of three unions: AFTRA, SAG and the AFM. As a union member, I am part of the greatness of America and the beauty of democracy."

"A lot of people my age don't fully appreciate that unions were responsible for most of the protections we now enjoy in the workplace,” says RJ Mitte, the young star of AMC’s Breaking Bad. “Today, the role of unions is as important as ever, ensuring those gains are not eroded, and that employees are treated fairly and have a safe working environment.”

Explaining his involvement, musician and AFTRA member Chris Shiflett comments, "This Labor Day let's all take a moment to re-think the importance of having a strong, progressive labor movement in the United States of America. Solidarity with your fellow worker is as American as apple pie!!"

The annual Labor Day Tweet-a-Thon is a joint project of workers’ rights group American Rights at Work, the MLBPA, the NFLPA, and the country’s leading entertainment unions, Actors’ Equity, AFTRA, Screen Actors Guild, and WGAE.

For more information, visit http://www.unionmember.org. During Labor Day weekend the site will display a round-up of celebrity tweets, as well as tweets from union members and supporters who use the #unionmember hashtag.

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CONTACTS:

Greg Bouris
MLBPA
(212) 826-0808
gbouris@mlbpa.org
twitter.com/mlb_players

Zoe Bridges-Curry
American Rights at Work
(202) 822-2127 x122
zbridges@americanrightsatwork.org
twitter.com/ARAW

Christopher de Haan
AFTRA
(323) 634-8203
cdehaan@aftra.com
twitter.com/AFTRA

Pamela Greenwalt
Screen Actors Guild
(323) 440-2892
pgreenwalt@sag.org
twitter.com/SAGnews

Elana Levin
Writers Guild of America, East
(212)767-7809
elevin@wgaeast.org
twitter.com/WGAEast

Maria Somma
Actors’ Equity
(212) 869-8530 x425
(917) 560-3488 (cell)
msomma@actorsequity.org
twitter.com/Actorsequity

Jilane Rodgers
NFLPA
(202) 756-9171
Jilane.Rodgers@nflplayers.com
twitter.com/NFLPA