Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/904648
For Members 22 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2017 | SAGAFTRA.org SAG-AFTRA PLAYS ACTIVE ROLE AT AFL-CIO CONVENTION W ith the theme "Join Together, Fight Together, Win Together," SAG-AFTRA had a strong presence at the AFL-CIO national convention in St. Louis this past October. The nation's largest labor federation convened its convention with calls for action and pledges of unity. The gathering — held every four years — comes as unions deal with growing numbers of attacks on the rights of working people. SAG-AFTRA had a delegation of nine members, including Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon; Secretary-Treasurer Jane Austin; Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Ilyssa Fradin; Vice President, Actors/Performers Samantha Mathis; Vice President, Broadcasters Catherine Brown; National Board member Rodger A. Brand; Missouri Valley Local President Thomas G. Murray; New York Board member Jamal Story; and past National Board member Ron Morgan. AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler introduced SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, who joined via video call from Croatia, where she was attending the FIA Executive Committee meeting. Carteris announced the formation of a cross-industry working group to deal with the issues of sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation in the workplace, saying that unions in all sectors must act to protect workers from sexual harassment. The convention's Resolution No. 1, a "Workers' Bill of Rights," also addressed the right to a safe job free from harassment and violence. Brown spoke in support of the resolution: "Everyone has a fundamental right to be treated with dignity and respect at work. There is more to be done by all of us to ensure the safety of those in the industry and to ensure they work in an environment free from sexual harassment, assault and abuse." Amid discussions of organizing workplaces, Damon addressed the delegates with SAG-AFTRA's recent organizing success of Telemundo. "As unionists, it is in our blood to fight injustice," she said. "Through our unity, tenacity and solidarity, SAG-AFTRA is making great strides and achieving notable victories." Along with AFL-CIO leadership, SAG-AFTRA member and telenovela actor Katie Barberi, who was crucial in the organizing effort at Telemundo, participated as a featured guest in the convention's daylong Diversity and Advocacy Pre-Conference with the theme "All of Us or None of Us." The AFL-CIO is a federation of 56 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women, in occupations ranging from construction and manufacturing to government, transportation and those in media industries. Top, SAG-AFTRA member and telenovela actor Katie Barberi (far right) moderates a panel at the convention's Diversity and Advocacy Pre-Conference. Center, SAG-AFTRA delegates at the 28th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention. Bottom, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon shared with delegates the organizing victory with Telemundo performers. AFL-CIO/SARDARI GROUP AFL-CIO/SARDARI GROUP