Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1114369
S AG-AFTRA's ongoing strike against advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty Inc. continues, and members are standing fast, demonstrating their solidarity at events nationwide. After nearly 20 years as a signatory, BBH illegally attempted to withdraw from the SAG-AFTRA contract. As a result, the SAG-AFTRA National Board unanimously declared a strike against the agency on Sept. 20, 2018. The strike is a milestone in the union's larger #AdsGoUnion campaign. In December, SAG-AFTRA launched the BBH Black Sheep campaign to spread word about the strike throughout the industry. The union placed ads in The Hollywood Reporter, Adweek and Variety featuring BBH's mascot, a black sheep, and the URL of the #StrikeBBH Center. Black Sheep ads were also displayed on trucks that circled BBH's New York office and areas surrounding Times Square through New Year's Eve. The Los Angeles and New York offices continued their protests during the holiday season. On Dec. 17, Los Angeles protesters teamed up with Santa to deliver a "gift" of coal to BBH's West Coast office, and carolers sang holiday favorites with a pro-union twist outside of BBH New York. At local offices, members gathered at landmarks specific to their region with the #StrikeBBH letters and handmade signs, while others joined together during board meetings and other holiday events. Many of the landmark photos and videos were featured on the union's social media platforms. In the new year, the strike entered its next phase. On Jan. 23, SAG-AFTRA held its first strike rally of the year at L.A.'s La Brea Tar Pits. Led by President Gabrielle Carteris, Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin and National Executive Director David White, nearly 1,000 members chanted "Members united will never be divided!" Featured speakers at the event included Los Angeles County representatives and leaders from IATSE, the Teamsters Local 399 and the American Federation of Musicians Local 4. The story was picked up by THR, Variety and Deadline. "We are all here for the same purpose — to SAG-AFTRA Keeps Up the Pressure in BBH Strike Above right, the Hypocrite of the Week campaign features BBH's founding partner Sir John Hegarty and other executives. Right, SAG-AFTRA's BBH Black Sheep mobile truck campaign near the ad agency's New York office. Bottom right, from left, SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Los Angeles Clyde Kusatsu; National Executive Director David White; President Gabrielle Carteris; Secretary- Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin; and L.A. Local Board member Patrick Fabian lead the #StrikeBBH march to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum on Jan. 23. Below, Executive Vice President and New York Local President Rebecca Damon rallies the crowd at the New York Local's Free Speech Rally on Feb. 6. Behind her, a pro-union message is projected onto BBH's New York headquarters. Above, members of the New York Local hold the #StrikeBBH letters and bags of coal outside ad agency BBH's headquarters on Dec. 17, 2018. Before them is a special chalk drawing of jolly St. Nick with his very special "Naughty List." KYLE DEPEW/SAG-AFTRA