Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546062
opportunities. At the SAG-AFTRA booth, attendees could walk the red carpet and pose for photos with the Actor ® statuette. The organizing exhibition in the sculpture garden featured union artifacts. SAG-AFTRA's contributions included paraphernalia from the 2023 TV/Theatrical/Streaming and 2024 video game strikes: T-shirts, buttons, pins, strike captain vests, memorabilia from the union's Strike Captain Appreciation Day, and more. On Tuesday, delegates from SAG-AFTRA, the American Guild of Musical Artists, Actors' Equity Association and the Twin Cities Musicians Union took to the stage to perform "Songs of Solidarity." SAG-AFTRA Subject Matter Experts Provide Invaluable Information AI was of critical concern for participants. On June 9, National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland delivered a centerpiece presentation titled AI Should Work for Us. As part of the interactive experience, Crabtree-Ireland encouraged the audience to participate and invited them to identify AI use across various sectors, centering the implications and stakes of this technology. He went on to explain SAG-AFTRA's approach to a mosaic of protections. "Laws alone are not enough if workers do not understand the technology and do not have the power to enforce their rights," Crabtree-Ireland said. "That is why we need an organized, educated, mobilized labor movement." Chief Communications & Marketing Officer Pamela Greenwalt delivered two micro-training sessions on high-stakes communication strategy and message management designed to provide specific and actionable programming on strike planning and implementation. Over the course of the convention, SAG-AFTRA's communications and marketing team members also delivered communications- focused micro-training presentations at the SAG-AFTRA booth. Union members from across Minnesota, including members of the SAG-AFTRA Twin Cities Local, were also recognized by convention delegates for their solidarity and advocacy on behalf of working people in the Twin Cities, drawing a standing ovation from attendees. The convention concluded on June 10. Following the closing gavel, Astin joined a contingent of national and local leaders on a visit to SAG-AFTRA-represented station WCCO-TV. See page 36. In addition to Astin and Crabtree-Ireland, the SAG-AFTRA delegation included Executive Vice President Linda Powell; Vice President, New York & New York Local President Ezra Knight; Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals, Nikki Izanec; Vice President, Actors/Performers, Shari Belafonte; Vice President, Recording Artists/Singers, Fletcher Sheridan; National Board member Randal Berger; Twin Cities Local President Casey Lewis; California Labor Federation Vice President and SAG-AFTRA member Ellen Crawford; Chief Labor Policy Officer & New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon; and Greenwalt. • C O M I N G S O O N The New SAG-AFTRA Foundation Member Portal A fresh new look. An easier way to discover and register for free career-building programs. sagaftra.foundation P R E S E N T E D B Y AFL-CIO continues from page 60