Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/48976
For Members NEWS, INFORMAT ION AND BENEFITS SAG AND AFTRA GROUP FOR ONE UNION MEETS IN LOS ANGELES face discussions of the Group for One Union in mid-October in Los Angeles. Known as the G1, the group consists of members from the Screen Actors Guild Merger Task Force and the AFTRA New Union Committee. G1 members, including actors, performers, recording artists and T broadcast professionals are working to facilitate the creation of a merged successor union to represent all the members of AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild. The G1 received updates from the six workgroups established to formulate recommendations in key areas, including Governance & Structure; Finance & Dues; Collective Bargaining; Pension, Health & Retirement; Operations & Staff; and Member Education & Outreach. Rank-and-file members of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA who attended the nationwide meetings of the Presidents' Forum for One Union Listening Tour identified these topics as necessary areas for study. The workgroups gave detailed status reports on their achievements to date, providing G1 members the opportunity to evaluate any workgroup recommendations for inclusion in a comprehensive merger plan. Last spring, the AFTRA and SAG National Boards passed resolutions calling for creation of a Merger Agreement, National Constitution and uniform dues structure for a successor union to be presented for review in January 2012. For more information on the merger, see the joint presidents' letter on page 12 from SAG National President Ken Howard and AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon. Updates on the proposed SAG and AFTRA merger are available on SAG.org/oneunion. Send email comments to oneunion@sag.org. S he American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild convened for the third formal face‐to‐ HOWARD AND AQUINO RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT, SECRETARY-TREASURER KEN HOWARD AMY AQUINO creen Actors Guild members have re-elected SAG President Ken Howard and Secretary-Treasurer Amy Aquino. Both in terms of officers and National Board members, SAG voters favored candidates who support the merger of SAG and AFTRA. "There's nothing more important than members exercising their right to vote, and I'm very grateful for their continued support," said Howard. "With so many pro-merger candidates elected again this year, there's no doubt what members want, and I look forward to presenting a comprehensive plan to the SAG and AFTRA national boards in January." "Two years ago, SAG members definitively set the Guild on the road to merger, and this election confirms they want it more than ever," Aquino said. "I'll continue working to strengthen SAG's operations and finances, and I'm honored to be able to help my fellow performers achieve the crucial goal of creating one union." Screen Actors Guild also announced election results on ONE UNION September 22 for the National Board of Directors. The newly elected took office on September 25. Approximately one- third of the 69 national board seats were open for election this year. SAG's Hollywood Division elected 12 National Board members; the New York Division elected five National Board members; and seven National Board members were elected from the union's Branches in Boston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Houston, Nashville, Nevada and Washington- Baltimore. See page 20 for the new configuration of the National Board. Continues on page 30 MONEY FOR COLLEGE: Applications are now available for college scholarships offered to members of Screen Actors Guild or their children. Visit sagfoundation.org/programs/scholarships and unionplus.org/scholarships for details and deadlines. 18 SCREEN ACTOR - Fall 2011 SAG.org