Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1486263
106 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2022 | sagaftra.org On Location The New Power of Labor C oming home to Boston, U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh joined Massachusetts labor leaders and elected officials on Sept. 28 for a forum hosted by the State House News Service and MASSterList that explored labor and its new and important leverage. "It's great to be here with friends," said Walsh, who spoke about the importance of partnerships with businesses, the shift in workers' needs as the country recovers from the pandemic and building trust in negotiations. Walsh said he is "optimistic about this moment in time for labor," noting, "working people now are more interested in unions than any other period in the last 50 years." SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Michele Proude added, "It was inspiring to hear the message of such a strong unionist and former union leader and feel truly represented by our secretary of labor." The secretary's opening remarks were followed by a panel discussion titled The New Power of Labor in Massachusetts and Beyond, moderated by reporter Katie Johnston of The Boston Globe and featuring five New England labor leaders. ● New England SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Michele Proude, left, and U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh stand union proud in Boston on Sept. 28. #UnionStrong at the N.Y. State AFL-CIO Labor Convention O n Aug. 16, SAG-AFTRA delegates to the New York State AFL-CIO attended the COPE Convention held at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel in Manhattan. Delegates heard from AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Chuck Schumer, New York state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and New York state Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. This marked the first time convention delegates were together since the pandemic began. The NYS AFL-CIO is a federation of 3,000 unions throughout New York state, representing 2.5 million union members. It is the largest state federation in the country. ● From left, SAG-AFTRA delegates to the New York State AFL-CIO Kevin Anthony Fluitt, National and New York Local Board member Jeff Spurgeon, Dave Bachman, New York Local Board member Kevin Scullin, New York Local First Vice President Linda Powell, New York Local President Ezra Knight, former New York Local President Holter Graham and New York Local Board member Sarah Seeds. New York Members March for Pride SAG-AFTRA Atlanta Local members and staff, including National LGBTQ Committee members Ray "Doris Dear" DeForest and Yolanda Asher attend the Atlanta Pride Parade on Oct. 9 in Atlanta. This was the first time Atlanta Local members marched in the parade in over two decades. Atlanta