Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/57163
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: What's the key reason to unite SAG and AFTRA? A: Increasing our bargaining strength is the key reason because that is the foundation of ALL union protections – from wages and residuals to safety and workplace protections and, of course, pension and health benefits. Merging AFTRA and SAG will increase our bargaining strength and give us more power to safeguard these vital protections. Q: Am I automatically a member? A: Yes, if you are a current member of SAG, AFTRA, or a dual card holder. Q: I'm currently a member—do I have to pay more money to remain a member if merger passes? A: No. New initiation fees will not be required for existing members of either union. Q: Doesn't merger mean my dues will increase? A: Not necessarily. Base dues for dual card holders will fall nearly 20 percent, from $243 to $198 per year. With work increasingly divided, it's harder to make a living without belonging to both unions, so SAG-AFTRA dues represent a savings for many members. Although $198 per year would mean an increase in base dues for single card holders, the work dues paid by most middle-class performer will fall, while high-earners will make a greater contribution. A: Forming one union puts us in the best position to fight the spread of non-union work. We can maximize our resources and implement a unified strategy to organize more work under union contracts. That means more good-paying jobs with strong benefits for members. Q: Won't merging the unions create more competition for work? A: No. Actually, it will do the opposite. Under federal labor law, union membership cannot be a requirement for getting a union job. All of SAG-AFTRA's future members can compete for any union job now, without a merger. Merging our unions increases our bargaining strength, which gives us a better opportunity to demand more covered background positions. And, eliminating jurisdictional divisions of our work strengthens our ability to organize non-union work. Q: Which contract will be used? What will the rates be if there is a merger? A: Existing contracts will remain in effect until they expire and are renegotiated by SAG-AFTRA. Q: What will the residuals structure be for the merged union? A: The current SAG and AFTRA contracts will continue in effect until they expire, including the residuals provisions. A merged union, however, will have greater leverage in negotiations and represents the best chance to protect and improve our residuals. Get Your Questions Answered about Merger I nformational meetings with SAG and AFTRA leadership will be held in Los Angeles on March 7 and 17 to discuss the terms of the SAG-AFTRA merger proposal. All paid-up members are invited to these informational meetings. Where: SAG and AFTRA Headquarters Museum Square Building 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Promenade Level Los Angeles, CA 90036 Parking will be validated. When: March 7, from 7-9 p.m. March 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. These meetings are only open to paid-up AFTRA and SAG members in good standing. Unfortunately, no guests allowed. Parents/ guardians of younger performers under 18 years old are welcome. SAG AND AFTRA MEMBERS, PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD (paid thru April 30, 2012) FOR ADMITTANCE. If you need ADA accommodations, please let us know by contacting us at diversity@sag.org or (323) 549-6644. VOTE YES! AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT SAGAFTRA.org /sagaftra @sagaftra (855) SAG-AFTRA (855) 724-2387