Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1251534
21 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2020 | sagaftra.org National Board Delegates Authority to Executive Committee per SAG-AFTRA Constitution Dues Relief for Members, Budget Approved Thinking of Running for SAG-AFTRA Office? In order to meet the May dues period good-standing eligibility requirement to be nominated for election as a national officer, national board member or local board member, members should ensure that their May 2020 dues bill payment is received by SAG-AFTRA no later than June 9, 2020, or make a request for the COVID-19 Dues Relief Extension no later than June 9, 2020, and make all payments in compliance with the program (first installment payment with the July 1 due date must be received on or before July 13 and second payment with the Oct. 1 due date must be received on or before Oct. 12). If your May dues payment is not received by June 9, 2020, and you have not made a timely request for a due date extension or your payments are not in compliance with the COVID-19 Dues Relief Extension program, your eligibility to run for office will be affected. Failure to pay dues in accordance with the COVID-19 Dues Relief Extension may also affect your ability to vote, nominate and participate in referenda. For questions regarding eligibility, please contact SAG-AFTRA at (323) 549-6676. CONTRACTS UPDATE: NEGOTIATIONS BEGIN S AG-AFTRA began negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on April 27 for successor agreements to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical Contracts, which expire on June 30, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state government stay-at-home orders, talks were conducted via secure video teleconference. SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris chairs the union's negotiating committee and National Executive Director David White serves as SAG-AFTRA's chief negotiator. The lead negotiator for the AMPTP is President Carol Lombardini. A press blackout remains in effect while negotiations are ongoing. At the Jan. 26 SAG-AFTRA National Board meeting, the board unanimously approved the tentative 2019 Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast Contract, a successor to the 2015–2018 agreement. During the meeting, Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez and Executive Director, Commercials and Corporate/Educational & Non-Broadcast Contracts Lori Hunt provided details of the agreement. A s the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, leading to social distancing and production shutdowns, it became apparent that SAG-AFTRA would need to be able to react quickly to the changing situation. Consequently, per the SAG-AFTRA Constitution, the National Board voted on March 24 to approve a resolution giving its 38-person Executive Committee the authority to take actions on behalf of the board during this extraordinary national emergency. The resolution passed with 93.73% voting yes and 6.27% voting no. SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris announced the board's action, saying, "This resolution reflects the determination of SAG-AFTRA's elected leaders to protect its members quickly during this constantly evolving global crisis." On March 30, the Executive Committee launched a dues relief program for members experiencing financial hardship resulting from work stoppages related to COVID-19. The committee overwhelmingly approved the budget for the 2021 fiscal year on April 30. The $95 million budget draws $5 million from SAG-AFTRA's reserves and included reductions in personnel costs and operating expenses. The aim was to optimize workflow and technology savings by removing redundant positions and those functions that are no longer an organizational priority. The budget also anticipated cost savings through employee furloughs and work-hour reductions. The union will continue to monitor this unprecedented situation closely and take appropriate measures as needed to protect SAG-AFTRA's membership and operational priorities.