You Are the Union

"When I joined Screen Actors Guild many years ago, I did it with pride and with the knowledge that I was closing the door on a lucrative non-union income as an actor, voice artist and background talent. It cost me more than the initiation fee, but being from a proud union family going back generations, I did it with pride. I felt the same way with the Screen Extras Guild and AFTRA.

"Joining and sticking to Rule One is even more difficult given that we live in a so-called “right-to-work” state. We all make sacrifices by sticking to our beliefs and proudly being union. But it is worth the price. By sticking to our guns, we make it possible for the union to maintain our level of union work, and over time to grow new work.

"We need to organize this marketplace. The council and our executive are working hard in this direction, but it takes all of you, as members, for us to be successful and end the flow of union work to non-union talent.

"All of us, as members, need to encourage all qualified pre-union talent to join our ranks. If we do not, then the qualified Taft-Hartley pool will grow instead and make it increasingly difficult for our union to organize union work for all of us, as members.

"We, as members of SAG-AFTRA in a “right-to-work for less and be terminated at will” state, are at the forefront of the battle for unionism in our country. We are the front line troops who need to stand firm, proud to sell the benefits of being union to all those around us.

"Thank you for being a part of that fight.

"Our voices are being heard

"Nevada remains strong in its voice and position at the national level, on the board, on the president’s caucus, on committees and in the dedication of our staff. Our voice and our experience is seen and heard.

"We should be proud of our Local in our significant percentage of turnout at membership meetings, in our strong and ongoing conservatory, and in how we make our voices and needs heard at the local and national level.

"We're moving forward aggressively toward a new round of negotiations with management that could shape the future of how labor and our rapidly changing industry interact.

"All SAG-AFTRA national committees are working toward assisting the Wages & Working Conditions Committee and our negotiating committees in identifying and prioritizing the commercial contractual needs of our membership.

"As co-chair of the National New Technologies Committee and past co-chair of Communications, I have worked with members from across the country in focusing on how technology is rapidly changing the way we practice our craft, how and where our work is seen, and how best to assure that we not only have work in the future, but increased opportunities to earn income doing what we love to do. We need to be ready for product placement, click-and-point advertising during dramatic television programs, implied or direct endorsement during the course of a program, distribution by phones and iPad, and the potential of finding a gross ratings point system for compensation.

"SAG-AFTRA members give to our fellow performers and to our communities. We tend to be active in many areas and on many issues. It is important we continue to put some of our energy, our talents and our experience into local committees and in working for our fellow performers. The local legislative and organizing committees are seeking active membership to reach out and make a difference.

"The first steps

"Dancers won the first major victory of the new SAG-AFTRA, as a music video contract now guarantees them fair pay, water, seating, shelter and other basics actors take for granted. It was the dancers themselves that drove the contract, using flash mobs, dance-ins and other high-profile events, attracting both member and media attention to their cause. I was proud to vote, on your behalf, for the new Music Video Contract.

"Meanwhile, the board voted to encourage the AFTRA and SAG pension and health plans to provide reciprocity and move closer to a potential merger of the plans. The plans are governed by members of the union and management and carry strong financial and fiduciary responsibilities to those who are currently served by those plans.

"There have been two meetings of the new boards. They are far more civil than previous meetings, but involved a great deal of compromise and understanding as conflicting cultures merge.

"One major change is that the Regional Branch Division, a full governing body of SAG representing actors and talent outside of Los Angeles and New York, no longer exists. A committee of Locals from outside L.A. and NYC takes its place, without the government structure of the RBD. We are learning about each other and working together as we move toward the election of a new smaller board next summer and the first convention next fall.

"Staff has been and is continuing to be reorganized to provide increased services within the budget of the new union, under a single National Executive Director, David White.

"The Nevada Local voted to return to the name Nevada, after being tentatively renamed Las Vegas by the G1, the Group for One Union, that assembled the initial documents for the new union. We represent the state of Nevada, with all of its grandeur, locations and benefits for filmmakers.

"SAG-AFTRA members give back to their communities and fellow performers

"As a member of the National Honors and Tributes Committee (or HATS), I was involved in the process of selecting the Life Achievement Award winner. This was my fifth year participating in a process of looking at members who have excelled as performers, have contributed to the entertainment community, work tirelessly for others both inside and outside the craft and believe in the potential of all individuals. What I can share is that there is no shortage of heart among SAG-AFTRA members, both celebrities and those who prefer to be known as “working actors.” The decision is a difficult one filled with research, discussions, ballots, debate and, finally, consensus. Kudos to Dick Van Dyke, this year’s honoree, for all he has done for other performers, the community and the industry over his long entertaining career. I am proud to be a part of honoring Betty White, the late Ernest Borgnine and Mr. Van Dyke, among others.

"Member grassroots energy also made possible gatherings for the holidays and the SAG Awards. That same energy and drive can move mountains on a local and national level. Let Nevada President Barbara Grant know you are interested in keeping our Local strong and a leader among the locals.

"SAG-AFTRA online

"Meanwhile, the new SAG-AFTRA site provides information on the new union and will expand as the contracts merge and the organization continues its process of morphing into the industries’ largest entertainment union.

"SAGIndie, the SAG Foundation and other sites remain active as a resource for members and producers alike. Explore and use these sites. You will find you will be glad you did!"

This item was originally featured in the October 2012 local newsletter.