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L.A. LOCAL HOSTS CONVENTION KICK-OFF RECEPTION ANGELA WEISS/SAG-AFTRA T Los Angeles Click here for photo slideshow From Left, SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino; L.A. City Council members Paul Koretz and Mitch O'Farrell; SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White; SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, L.A. and L.A. Local President Clyde Kusatsu; L.A. City Council member Curren D. Price Jr.; and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti he inaugural SAG-AFTRA National Convention began with a bang as the Los Angeles Local hosted the fun-filled kick-off reception on Sept. 25 at the JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE. SAG-AFTRA delegates were welcomed by L.A. Local President Clyde Kusatsu and Los Angeles Local First Vice President Susan Boyd Joyce, who introduced CBS2 anchor Pat Harvey, actor Jon Tenney and L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. Harvey spoke of her youth growing up in a union household and how she became a SAG-AFTRA member. She proclaimed, "It is important that we stay union strong." Tenney, who jetted from the Major Crimes set to be at the reception, stated, "For the first time in history, media performers speak with one collective voice and it's exciting." As a proud card-carrying member, Mayor Garcetti did not hesitate to flash his own SAG-AFTRA card as he stood at the podium. He expressed his deep appreciation of unions and reaffirmed his commitment to increasing local filming. MEMBERS GET FREE FLU SHOTS S AG-AFTRA members came out in force to get their free flu shot at the New York Local offices on Oct. 11 and Nov. 18. The free flu shots are provided annually by The Actors Fund, supported by funding from the SAG Motion Pictures Player Welfare Fund and the AFTRA Foundation. The annual event, hosted by the New York Healthcare Safetynet Committee and organized with assistance from the MOVE New York and MORE Committee members and volunteers, brought Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic staff members Janet Pearl, Dr. James Spears and medical student Katherine Nash to the SAG-AFTRA offices to administer the shots. Katherine Nash, Dr. James Spears and Healthcare Safetynet Committee National Co-Chair Cathy Lilly. New York FALL MEETING WRAP-UP New York T he New York Local held its fall membership meeting Oct. 28. National Vice President, N.Y. and Local President Mike Hodge noted how the merger had resulted in concrete gains for performers in several contracts, including commercials and music videos. He also spoke about the challenges posed by callin services and the spread of non-union work. New York Executive Director Jae Je Simmons spoke about several local initiatives, the biggest being the move to a new office space (see story, page 74). Board member Rebecca Damon reported on constitutional amendments and resolutions that were passed at the national convention. Trustees Roberta Reardon and Kim Sykes represented the AFTRA Health & Retirement Plan and the SAG-Producers Pension & Health Plan, respectively. They assured members that plans for merger were moving forward steadily but deliberately, as both sides were determined to get it right. Renata Marinaro from The Actors Fund spoke about the Affordable Care Act and how it could affect SAG-AFTRA members. The meeting wrapped up with a Q&A session, and afterwards members were heard to comment that the meeting had been both substantive and well-organized. SAGAFTRA.org | Fall 2013 | SAG-AFTRA 73