SAG-AFTRA

Spring 2018

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10 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2018 | SAGAFTRA.org J A N E A U S T I N A Letter from the Secretary-Treasurer "Member safety is a top priority of mine, as it should be for us all. We must be diligent in reporting safety violations to the union …" Safety, established last October. As a cohesive unit, we have been working to analyze safety across all work situations our members experience, formulate strategies to improve it, and strengthen relationships with employers and others who affect our lives. In a collaborative effort with staff leadership, we developed and launched the Four Pillars of Change initiative. These pillars are a set of rules that can be utilized to better inform members and the industry in order to prevent on-set sexual harassment and foster collaborative partnerships with like-minded organizations, including Time's Up and the Industrywide Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace. With such success, we must remember that this is not the only safety issue on set. The stunt community suffered heartbreaking loss of life last year when physical safety was not made a priority. In striving to hold employers accountable and cultivate the highest possible on-set safety standards, I'm thrilled to report the union's increased focus on contract enforcement and the distribution of new standards and practices guidelines for stunt coordinators. As vice chair of the National Stunt and Safety Committee and a stunt professional, member safety is a top priority of mine, Dear Member, N ow is a busy time at our union. Members and staff are working tirelessly to ensure our operations continue running smoothly and efficiently, and that members are protected at work, paid in a timely manner and, chiefly, are provided with as efficient and pleasant of a union experience as possible. I am delighted to report that revenue and expenses are tracking closely to budget as we approach the close of our fiscal year. Our finance and accounting team is preparing the annual budget, which will be presented to the National Board of Directors for review and adoption. While intensive, this integral process affects every aspect of union operations since the budget is our most important financial management tool, outlining the funding allocation needed to strategize and execute goals. One such undertaking has been the union's deep commitment to improving safety issues, particularly regarding sexual harassment and discrimination. For several months, members and staff have aggressively focused efforts on confronting harassment and creating a fairer workplace. I have been honored to be appointed to President Gabrielle Carteris' Blue Ribbon Commission on as it should be for us all. We must be diligent in reporting safety violations to the union's 24/7 hotline, (844) SAFER SET. A representative will respond quickly and, when necessary, can intervene directly — even shutting down an unsafe production until problems are addressed. In other news, our member leaders and staff continue producing beneficial programming for members such as the direct deposit initiative, which has proven successful and is expanding to include members in several test cities. In addition, I was privileged to be given a sneak peek at another notable development, our newly redesigned sleek and user-friendly website that the IT and Communications & Marketing teams have been diligently working on. Members can look forward to the launch in the near future, following the current testing process. In closing, I implore you to stay safe, book the gig and remember if you see something, say something. Together we make up the eyes, ears and heart of the union. We are the union. In solidarity, Jane Austin

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