Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1186820
For Members 24 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2019 | sagaftra.org A very special visitor came to SAG-AFTRA Plaza on Aug. 6: U.S. Representative and Chair of the House Financial Services Committee Maxine Waters, D-California. Waters' visit coincided with the HBCU in L.A. internship program, an initiative of the Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program. This year, more than 30 students from various historically black colleges and universities nationwide took part in the program and had the opportunity to gain access to industry opportunities through training and internships. A screening at the union's headquarters highlighted the students' work on their self-written, produced and directed project, Uchawi, which tells the story of how two sisters use magic to cope with the loss of their mother. After an introduction by SAG-AFTRA Chief People Officer Tashia Mallette, Waters gave a keynote address. Throughout her speech to students and industry guests, Waters spoke of the impact of the program and emphasized the importance of diversity within and outside of the entertainment industry. "Diversity in your industries affect diversity in all others," said Waters. "Your learning and dedication confirms the value of these programs and justifies their continuation, expansion and replication in other industries, and your success will help launch your careers and those that will follow you in this program and others like it." REP. MAXINE WATERS SPEAKS AT SCREENING AT SAG-AFTRA La Ley sports commentator Elizabeth Jiménez called on SBS to provide a fair first contract to its SAG-AFTRA employees during a press conference in front of La Ley's Chicago offices Sept. 4. MEMBERS, ALLIES TAKE A STAND FOR FAIR WAGES O n Sept. 4, members of SAG-AFTRA, local workers' rights organization Arise Chicago and the Chicago Federation of Labor held a press conference outside Spanish Broadcasting System's radio station La Ley 107.9. They demanded that SBS negotiate a fair first contract with SAG-AFTRA that includes paying professional wages. Arise Chicago also announced a new community petition supporting La Ley workers' fight for a fair union contract. La Ley sports commentator Elizabeth Jiménez stated, "I have worked in Chicago as a radio personality for 18 years and all we are asking for is to be paid a fair wage. We are a small team of on-air personalities and producers, but know that united we can work together to achieve a union contract." In October at SAG-AFTRA's fourth national convention, delegates voted to reiterate their statement from the previous convention to further condemn SBS' unwillingness to negotiate a fair contract with its employees and to "never cease the fight to ensure our members have the contract they deserve." DIVERSITY EFFORTS GO GLOBAL From left, International Federation of Actors (FIA) President, Ferne Downey, SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, and Secretary-Treasurer Camryn Manheim attend the FIA Executive meeting in Vancouver, Canada, on Oct. 2. Also in attendance from SAG-AFTRA were National Executive Director David White, Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez, Chief Communications & Marketing Officer Pamela Greenwalt and Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who co-chaired the gathering. Participants discussed the latest in the fight against sexual harassment and LGBT discrimination. The group decided to reach out to the FIA membership to help set priorities in the area of global diversity.