Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1475555
50 SAG-AFTRA | Summer 2022 | sagaftra.org LOCALS SUPPORT LABOR EFFORTS SAG-AFTRA doesn't just work with labor allies on a national level. Proving once again that unionism is a team sport, local leaders from across the country are working with labor organizations in their areas to preserve and advance workers' rights. They have attended rallies, conventions and other functions, and have worked together to promote state film incentives and pro-labor legislation. Here are just a few examples from around the nation. NEW MEXICO SAG-AFTRA New Mexico Local and National Board member Mel MacKaron, below, sixth from left at the New Mexico Federation of Labor convention, has represented the local on the Federation for the past eight years. He also sits on the Federation's Executive Board. Local leadership has worked alongside the Federation to successfully fight so-called "right-to-work" legislation and has been a strong presence at the legislative sessions in Santa Fe for years, representing members and supporting other unions on various nonpartisan issues. The local has also collaborated with IATSE and Teamsters in conjunction with the Federation to strengthen the legislation governing the state film incentives. LOS ANGELES SAG-AFTRA delegates, members and staff joined the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO at the 2022 Workers Congress on March 31 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. L.A. Local Organizing Committee member and Communications Committee Vice Chair Jeffrey Reeves, a first-time attendee, shared, "It was a powerful, motivating day for me. It started with a community chant of 'When we fight, we win' with brothers, sisters and kin from so many Los Angeles unions. Great speakers and workshops. Los Angeles is undeniably a union town." those technologies coming down the road and make sure that we do everything in our power to influence how they're developed, how they're regulated, and how they play out. We must ensure the technology takes into account the human element so workers are protected in the ways they interact with those technologies." SAG-AFTRA also introduced four resolutions, which passed by acclamation, supporting music fairness and artists' rights for compensation; recognizing the extraordinary work and safety of broadcast and online journalists; encouraging other unions to utilize union audiovisual production; and saluting SAG-AFTRA on its 10th anniversary. On June 14, delegates left the Pennsylvania Convention Center and converged on the "Rocky" steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to join a rally demanding its board of trustees agree on a fair contract with its workers. The convention is the most important democratic event the federation hosts, where delegates meet quadrennially to chart the course for the labor movement's future. Among topics tackled were immigrant workers' rights, harnessing the power of athletes and sports unions, labor and trans liberation, racial justice and women in the building trades. SAG-AFTRA's Knight moderated a panel on voter suppression organized by AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Redmond. • KEITH MELLNICK/AFL-CIO Vice President, Broadcasters Bob Butler speaks in favor of a resolution.