Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/605448
For Members 22 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2015 | SAGAFTRA.org A living wage, health care, pension benefits, maybe a day off every once in a while — these are all things that add up to a happy, secure, middle- class existence. But none of it comes for free. That a sizeable number of creative professionals are able to make a living doing what they love — being creative — is no accident. SAG-AFTRA members have been able to achieve these benefits by organizing, standing together and pushing for collective bargaining contracts that properly reward their talent and hard work. None of these gains came easily, but they were well worth the fight. That's why SAG-AFTRA has an organizing initiative to recapture union commercial work, including Internet and new media commercials. The union is increasing pressure on digital advertising agencies to stop undermining the industry standards that allow commercial performers to earn a middle-class living. The first step in that campaign is an effort to organize performers at Droga5, an award-winning digital agency that executes high-profile projects featuring celebrities for national advertisers. While Droga5 sometimes does work under SAG-AFTRA contracts, they often choose not to. When they don't, the work is being done substantially below industry standards. SAG-AFTRA believes all performers who work for Droga5 would benefit from union representation, not just high profile performers. Advertising thrives on creativity and innovation, and the rise of the Internet has provided a new frontier of opportunities to reach consumers. As the market for online and digital advertising grows, SAG-AFTRA members are inviting digital advertising agencies like Droga5 to join the future and ensure a level playing field for everyone. Members are asking the company to stop undercutting the ability of performers to earn a living and start paying fair wages and benefits. In a letter to members, SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard, Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris and Secretary- Treasurer Jane Austin asked SAG-AFTRA members and other allies to stand together and lend their voices to the cause. "The future of advertising is based in creativity, innovation and collective bargaining. We call on all SAG-AFTRA members, performers who aspire to be members, industry colleagues, allies and supporters to endorse this organizing campaign," the letter says. Thousands of SAG-AFTRA members and supporters have signed the petition at sagaftra.org/digital-ads-go-union. And hundreds of performers are recording voicemail messages for Droga5, thanking them for being a leader in digital advertising and letting Droga5 know how much they look forward to working together in the future. Dial (888) 598-7259 and add your voice today. This campaign is also growing on social media using the hashtag #adsgounion. So far, 3.1 million people have seen the daily Dear Dave memes online urging Droga5 founder David Droga to consider a future that includes SAG-AFTRA actors. Please post and share each day so the numbers continue to grow. Go to sagaftra.org/digital-ads-go-union and sign the petition today and dial (888) 598-7259 to leave a voicemail. Members have been tweeting memes like this in support of union commercials. MEMBERS TAKE ACTION TO ORGANIZE DIGITAL ADVERTISING AGENCIES