Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/879767
SAGAFTRA.org | Summer/Fall 2017 | SAG-AFTRA 23 The Path Forward … Together I n August, Gabrielle Carteris was re-elected as president of SAG-AFTRA. She had been serving as the union's top ocer since April 9, 2016, when the National Board elected her to the post after the death of Ken Howard. At the time, she was in her second term as the union's executive vice president. Carteris has numerous accomplishments to her credit. She chaired the negotiating committee in the successful recent TV/ Theatrical negotiations. She led the eort to pass California's "IMDb law," which seeks to tackle ageism in casting. She has stood rm on the principle that members who work in video games should be paid fairly and have other industry-standard protections. In addition, she has redoubled the union's eorts on member engagement, a major theme of her leadership. As she assumes the role of president for her rst full term, Carteris discussed organizing, safety and the importance of members taking ownership of their union. Q A with SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris Q: What is your proudest accomplishment at SAG-AFTRA? A: There are several, but above all is our successful effort to bring members together to support the merger of SAG and AFTRA. To be able to see an aspiration come into a reality has been fullling. We engaged both SAG and AFTRA members in a way that had never been done successfully before, despite several attempts. Beyond that, I am proud of all of my work with the members. Through outreach and engagement, we, as a union, have accomplished great things. One of the highlights for me is the work we have done to organize Spanish-language media. The contracts we are helping to negotiate for Telemundo employees will benet them not ust today, but help lay the groundwork for the future. Q: What are your top priorities? A: Interfacing and engaging with members, continuing to build strong contracts, organizing and working to increase diversity. I want to see exponential growth in union involvement, and I want to reduce the disconnect some members feel with their union. After all, they are — and we are all — the union. Member participation is the key to success in all areas. I am very committed to expanding our outreach to people who may not have been involved with the union previously but who have a lot to offer. Q: How will the union address member concerns about safety provisions in our contracts, given the recent high-prole stunt accidents? A: These were tragic events and my heart goes out to the families, friends and crew members of the fallen performers. We are working with our members in this community, with our sister unions and with the studios to look at set safety and to minimize