Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1498689
16 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2023 | sagaftra.org A Letter from the National Executive Director Dear Member, S AG-AFTRA's offices are now fully open, and members and staff are once again able to engage in- person. The on-set COVID protocols that the industry's unions negotiated with employers are set to expire on May 11, with some limited exceptions (see page 28). SAG-AFTRA is following suit by ending its masking and vaccine requirements for staff as well as for members doing business or attending events in person at the union's facilities, which means effective May 12, members will no longer be required to use the CLEAR app to access union activities. TV/Theatrical negotiations are slated to start June 7 — but members and staff have already been putting in a lot of work into SAG-AFTRA's most high- profile contract. I want to especially acknowledge President Fran Drescher, who is personally heading up the Negotiating Committee, as well as all of the members who have taken time from their busy lives to volunteer to serve their peers. I also express my deepest gratitude to our extraordinary and dedicated staff, including my co-lead negotiator, Ray Rodriguez, whose expertise is always invaluable. Throughout the wages and working conditions process, we have heard members' feedback about the aspects of the contract that you feel are most important, and those concerns will be in the forefront of our minds as we negotiate. The talent and unity of our membership is what gives us the power and leverage to successfully negotiate contracts that can protect and advance our members' interests. We will be keeping you posted on the progress of bargaining and ask you to be prepared to step up and speak out when your union and your fellow members call on you. One area of developing concern is the impact of AI on the work that you do. Although it's a hot topic in the media right now, it's something your union leadership has been tracking for quite a while. We've been engaged in research and analysis, closely watching the technological evolution of AI, and working with industry partners and stakeholders to ensure the uses of AI technology remain human-centered, and that the interests of our members are safeguarded. We're made presentations to governments and to major employers and other stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to ensure we're helping drive the conversation. And we are a co-founder of the Human Artistry Campaign. We believe AI has a place in augmenting our members' creativity, not replacing it, and protecting members' rights against abusive AI uses is one of our top priorities. I am thrilled to finally be able to share the news about the union's future headquarters building in North Hollywood (see page 26). It's a sound investment that provides the union with room to grow and better serve members, and through careful financial management, we were in a position to acquire it debt-free. We couldn't have done it without the efforts of President Drescher, EVP Ben Whitehair, Secretary- Treasurer Joely Fisher and Chief Financial Officer Arianna Ozzanto, along with the members of the Finance Committee and the National Board. This is exciting news and a historic moment for the union, but please be aware that the eventual transition to the new building is a long-term project that's years away. We will be taking all the time we need to make sure the space is something that serves members for decades to come, and nothing will change in the short term. Finally, this is an election year for the union. You can be proud that SAG-AFTRA is a robust democracy: Every two years, members choose the union's president and other national officers, as well as those who will represent them locally and at our national convention. You can find more details in the Call to Convention (see page 18). During this election season, as always, staff remains completely neutral and focused only on ensuring a fair election and in providing members the resources they need. I could not be more proud to serve as your national executive director and chief negotiator, and I look forward to fighting alongside our member leaders and extraordinary staff as we bargain for the TV/Theatrical contract improvements that our members need and deserve. Stronger together, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland D U N C A N C R A B T R E E - I R E L A N D "Protecting members' rights against abusive AI uses is one of our top priorities."