SAG-AFTRA

Fall 2016

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10 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org G A B R I E L L E C A R T E R I S A Letter from the President "In every effort, across every border, we are stronger together." we must stand together — stand strong to resolve our core issues. Because that is what we do as a union: work with our employers and other union brothers and sisters to build a stronger future. This is true on an international level as well. Recognizing that the entertainment and media industry is global and that performers' issues transcend borders, our participation with FIA (International Federation of Actors) is more important now than ever before. The FIA Congress, recently held in São Paulo, Brazil, saw unions from more than 35 countries coming together to discuss the issues facing performers. We are working for many of the same corporations and global unity is imperative. As we move to tackle the challenges ahead, we must strengthen our international ties. We share many of the same issues and concerns and agree that solidarity and support for each other's initiatives is essential. I'm pleased to report that the FIA Congress voted unanimously to support our stance with the interactive employers, and as I write, statements of support are coming in from our Canadian colleagues at ACTRA, the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance of Australia, New Zealand Actors' Equity as well as from British Equity and Actors' Equity Association here in the United States. Cross-border cooperation is an area of future attention for our union and me. In legislative news, SAG-AFTRA struck a blow against industry ageism and successfully helped pass California's Dear Member, I was proud to stand recently with several hundred of you on the picket line outside of Electronic Arts Productions Inc., one of the employers in the bargaining group of our Interactive contract. Your passion reminded me of the awesome power of our union and our collective voice. I can tell you firsthand, after 19 months of bargaining, we faced an employer group unwilling to meet us on crucial issues. We entered into bargaining this contract with a focused proposal package requiring stunt coordinators on sets; resolutions to prevent injurious vocal stresses; a modest profit participation on blockbuster games; and transparency in hiring so performers can know the title of the game they will be working on before accepting it. I must give a shout out to the courage and thoughtful work of your negotiating committee in this process. They have worked tirelessly to find nuanced ways to work with the employers who have been in the negotiating room. With their understanding of this industry, they helped design our new initiative to sign video games in the low budget space. The new agreement will be offered specifically to employers that are not yet creating "triple-A" games, but are on the cutting edge of what is being developed. It's important to recognize that the interactive agreement has barely changed in 20 years. Video games are a global industry, with 2016 sales expected to top $100 billion. It is a significant market and "IMDb Law," allowing subscribers to opt out of showing their birthdate on certain online casting and hiring websites. The legislation was sponsored and supported by SAG-AFTRA with help from industry allies in an effort spanning over eight years, and included the work of members, staff and my predecessor, the late Ken Howard. We contributed countless hours to the effort, and I was honored to testify before the California Senate Judiciary Committee and to talk directly with Gov. Jerry Brown to urge the passage of the bill. It is a real victory for entertainment industry workers and performers around the world. Looking forward, I am honored to chair the TV/Theatrical Negotiations Committee and work with fellow members and National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator David White. Your invaluable insights and suggestions during Wages and Working Conditions meetings, in emails and in our one-on-one conversations are very welcome and help point to how we can best serve members' needs. Please stay engaged, involved and keep the thoughts coming. In every effort, across every border, we are stronger together. Strength in unity, Gabrielle Carteris

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