Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1520149
32 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2024 | sagaftra.org Broadcast News S everal broadcast members of the SAG-AFTRA Missouri Valley Local were in Kansas City to cover the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl celebration parade on Feb. 14, when, what began as a fun-filled and joyous event drawing tens of thousands of people, tragically ended in a mass shooting. One person was killed and more than 20 were injured. It was a terribly sad ending to what was supposed to be a celebration for the city. SAG-AFTRA broadcast members showed great courage and resilience during their coverage of this parade and tragedy. Several were in danger and put themselves in harm's way to get critical information out to the public during a time of great distress and chaos. These broadcasters were model media professionals in their ability to calmly transition and focus on their job over their own personal fears for their safety and the unknown safety of their family and friends. This tragedy highlights what SAG-AFTRA broadcasters do each and every day to bring important information to the communities in which they live and work. This tragic event has led to continued regional and national discussions on safety in the field and best practices for broadcasters. A.I., Contracts Top Broadcast Steering Committee Agenda T he Broadcast Steering Committee met by Zoom on March 23 for its first meeting of the new year. The committee kicked off the meeting by continuing the ongoing conversation around artificial intelligence. SAG-AFTRA Executive Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy Kerri Wood Einertson gave an overview of work the union is doing to support and promote legislation to protect members' likenesses and right-of-publicity at the federal and state levels. Additionally, staff and member leaders touched on the status of current negotiations and discussed ongoing disputes concerning A.I. across the country. The BSC also welcomed special guest Tim McCarthy, president of the Broadcasters Foundation of America, who gave a brief presentation on the support offered to broadcasters in need through their grant program. Find out more at broadcastersfoundation.org. The March meeting rounded out with updates from staff on the 2024 calendar lineup, including upcoming journalism conferences and national Zoom trainings with the SAG-AFTRA team. Organizing staff gave updates on the success of several newly organized shops, and the News & Broadcast team gave updates on current happenings in stations around the country, leading members to engage in a productive discussion around safety issues in the field. At the committee's previous meeting, on Dec. 9, 2023, also held virtually, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Linda Powell presented an update on the groundbreaking victories in the TV/Theatrical agreements. National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland gave an overview of the successes that came from the historic 118-day strike and thanked broadcast members for their support. Committee members were eager to learn more about the negotiations and the contract language, and welcomed the opportunity to give their congratulations to the TV/Theatrical members on a hard-fought success. BSC Vice Chair and WRC-TV shop steward Tracee Wilkins led a conversation on broadcast member engagement strategies at the worksite and within the union. She and others discussed the importance of broadcast union visibility and representation on every level, from shop steward to local board. Committee members engaged in a lively discussion on best practices and strategies for engaging, activating, and organizing members and empowering them to lead. The BSC will meet again in June. Members Keep Cool in a Crisis SAG-AFTRA Broadcasters Focus on Serving the Community in the Midst of Mass Shooting