Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/87061
For Members SAG-AFTRA GRANTED AFL-CIO CHARTER I from the AFL-CIO at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 1. The charter brings the 165,000 members of the merged union under the umbrella of the federation representing 56 unions and 12 million workers. The occasion was a significant episode n a major post-merger milestone, SAG-AFTRA has received its charter in an oſten difficult time for labor. "With workers' rights under attack nationwide, this charter represents a bright spot in the union movement and we are proud to add our new, unified voice in support of all workers in this country," said SAG-AFTRA Co-President Roberta Reardon. "We are delighted to join with workers across the nation, and reaffirm the mission we share with the AFL-CIO: to ensure workers are treated fairly." "This is a terrific capstone to the historic merger of SAG and AFTRA and we are proud to receive a charter from America's labor federation, the AFL-CIO, and we thank President Richard Trumka, Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler, Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker and the members of the Executive Council," said SAG-AFTRA Co-President Ken Howard. "This charter represents the start of a new chapter for our organization, facing new challenges in a changing entertainment and media landscape, but also presents limitless opportunities." "Today the AFL-CIO celebrates a new charter for a newly created union, SAG-AFTRA, that brings together two great unions committed to changing to meet the needs of the future," said Trumka. "The AFL-CIO commends the members and leaders for a process that gave every member a chance to weigh in — it's union democracy at its best. I look forward to the continued leadership of SAG-AFTRA Co-Presidents Ken Howard and Roberta Reardon on the AFL-CIO Executive Council." more In a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Aug. 1, the AFL-CIO granted a charter to SAG-AFTRA. AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, center, with Co-Presidents Roberta Reardon and Ken Howard. COMMERCIALS CONTRACTS W&W: GET INVOLVED Conditions process is gearing up. Informational meetings and webinars were held at 20 Locals around the country. The process allows members to make their voices heard and help shape the negotiations. There are three ways to weigh in with thoughts and comments: 1. The commercials contracts caucuses bring members I n preparation for the negotiation for the commercials contracts that expire March 31, 2013, the Wages & Working together in freeform sessions to discuss issues that are important to them. This information helps form the proposals formed by the W&W committees. 2. Members are also invited to participate in formal W&W committee meetings, which use the information and ideas gathered from the caucuses to create proposals for the 2013 contracts negotiations. Visit SAGAFTRA.org to find out when and where W&W committee meetings are taking place in your area. 3. Those who want to participate remotely can email ideas to commercialswandw@sagaſtra.org. Suggestion boxes for contract-related ideas have been placed in the national offices, in Los Angeles at 5757 Wilshire Blvd. in the 7th floor reception area, and in New York at 360 Madison Ave. in the 12th floor reception area, or 260 Madison Ave. in the 7th floor reception area. The last day for suggestions is Friday Oct. 19, 2012. SAGAFTRA.org | Fall 2012 | SAG-AFTRA 13 Sharon Farmer/sfphotoworks