Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/216003
A Letter from the Executive Vice President G A B RIE LLE C AR T E R IS "We may have merged on paper, but we must now merge our ideas and our cultures — bringing the best of who we were to the task of building something new." Dear Member, S AG-AFTRA weathered some challenging times over this first transition year — as members and as a new institution. We had to take some tough steps as an organization, including the necessary but painful closure of 10 brick-andmortar offices and streamlining our staff from two large organizations into one. It was not easy seeing people we have worked with for years move on to new opportunities that didn't include us. We crafted the first SAG-AFTRA constitution and realized that it will need adjustments over time so that it grows with the union. We have also traveled an incredible learning curve that I believe will continue for some time. All of this culminated in our first convention. Convention marked the true beginning of SAG-AFTRA. Almost 350 members from around the country — delegates that you elected — gathered to hear from President Ken Howard, Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino and National Executive Director David White. The delegates, representing the largest group of members gathered in one place, voted for our national vice presidents. I want to thank the delegation for the confidence they showed in me by electing me executive vice president. I am honored to serve the union in this role and promise to work hard for the benefit of all members. We spent hours in discussion and debate about the business and the future of our union. Resolutions were passed and members learned about what was happening to their work and in the media and entertainment industries. We discussed, agreed and disagreed, but were 12 SAG-AFTRA 12-13_VPLttr_F.indd 12 all informed, enlightened and inspired. I saw members discovering the work the union does for them and recognizing their relationship to the larger labor movement. Many of those delegates are feeling a sense of ownership of their union and have since asked how they might be more deeply involved. That is a taste of the first convention. This convention gave us an opportunity to strategize for the future. The next two years are crucial. We may have merged our unions on paper, but we must now merge our ideas and our cultures — bringing the best of who we were to the task of building something new. We must listen, question and participate. SAG-AFTRA depends on our day-to-day interactions with our fellow members: Who are they? What kind of work do they do? What are their concerns? The answers to these questions help inform our priorities and direct our thinking on important issues like organizing. We were privileged to hear from our fellow members about successful organizing campaigns around the different work under our contracts. Delegates also attended educational and informational seminars on topics as diverse as the new media landscape and techniques for turning nonunion productions and workplaces into good union jobs. We were also honored to host important and inspirational speakers like U. S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez and AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka. Secretary Perez spoke poignantly about the need for us to look forward and embrace the changes in our industry, noting that we could only grow and thrive if we were willing to embrace the future and adapt to change. President Trumka fired up our delegation with his dynamic remarks noting that every worker in our industry and our country deserves a safe workplace, a fair wage and access to affordable health care. Trumka praised our merger and our unity, observing that we must all stand together if we are to ensure the future of unionism in this country. For me, as for many of us, organizing is paramount to our growth and security. I know that many members are focused on the upcoming TV/theatrical negotiations. I would ask you not to sit and wait to see what happens — rather, get involved now. Look at where the industry is, recognize where it was and start reading everything you can. Talk with your fellow members about their work, ask casting directors and, yes, producers what trends they are noticing. Check the SAG-AFTRA website on a regular basis and participate in the wages and working conditions process when it begins in January — all this while engaging and sharing your information with other members. This is where our work begins. I cannot close without paying loving tribute to our national board member and friend Marcia Wallace. Marcia loved our former unions, their members and what we stood for. She believed in merger with all her heart and never wavered. May we be like her and make this union and this world a better place. In unity, Gabrielle Carteris | Fall 2013 | SAGAFTRA.org 11/13/13 4:47 PM