Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/821178
SAGAFTRA.org | Spring 2017 | SAG-AFTRA 13 For Members N E W S , I N F O R M AT I O N A N D B E N E F I T S NATIONAL BOARD ADOPTS TV/ THEATRICAL PROPOSALS T he SAG-AFTRA National Board overwhelmingly approved a TV/ Theatrical contracts negotiations package at its Jan. 21 video conference between Los Angeles and New York offices, one of many significant actions it has taken at meetings this year. Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez provided an update on the wages and working conditions process and detailed the proposals package for the 2017 TV/ Theatrical negotiations, after which the board passed a resolution approving the recommendations of the W&W Plenary Committee, which met Jan. 6–7, and the negotiations proposals package. The union is now preparing for the negotiations. At its meeting on the weekend of April 22, the National Board voted to set election and governance rules for the upcoming national convention. The board also established a negotiating committee for the upcoming contract talks with Telemundo and unanimously approved a successor agreement covering music video performers with the major record labels. Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and co-lead negotiator Stefanie Taub provided a detailed description of the highlights of the tentative two-year successor music video agreement, which expires April 30, 2019. The deal provides the first-ever share of revenues from the streaming of music videos for performers at 0.25 percent of the labels' gross revenue for covered music videos. It established minimum rates for the first time for dancers in music videos with budgets between $100,000–$200,000. And also for the first time, recognizes and covers background actors in music videos with a budget greater than $50,000, with the first 10 background actors in each music video covered. This will create an estimated 1,500 new union jobs for background performers over two years. President Gabrielle Carteris reported on several achievements over the last year, including the successful merger of the health plans, the direct deposit pilot program, the Telemundo unionization Dear Member: SAG-AFTRA is once again preparing for its biennial convention, this year to be held Oct. 5–8 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City, California. As directed in our constitution, the convention brings delegates and leaders from across the country together to consider constitutional questions, review and act on resolutions, elect leadership, and discuss and debate important issues. This year's theme is Our Union, Our Strength, Our Future, reflecting how our unity drives the union's evolution. It's an important time for member involvement, as SAG-AFTRA helps shape the media landscape through the ways we adapt to changes in the industry. The critical piece of all of this is you. The delegates who will decide the weighty issues facing the union and chart its course for the future are members just like you who step forward to volunteer their time. They represent the members of all 25 locals, bringing with them issues and concerns from across our member categories, as well as new ideas on ways to continually push the union forward. During the convention, attendees, including delegates, National Board members and local presidents, will elect the executive vice president and the vice presidents representing geographic areas and member categories. Additionally, the convention will feature speeches from elected leadership, workshops and seminars. It's also a great time to meet and mingle with fellow members to network, rekindle old friendships or make new ones. On the following pages is information on how to run for the aforementioned offices. I hope you'll take a moment to consider how you can contribute to our union's success. Make sure we have your current email address and keep an eye on your inbox for more information in the coming months. Also, be sure to download SAG-AFTRA's new app to stay abreast of the latest news. In unity, David White National Executive Director Call to Convention Continues on page 19