Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/754215
For Members N E W S , I N F O R M AT I O N A N D B E N E F I T S 18 SAG-AFTRA | Fall 2016 | SAGAFTRA.org VIDEO GAME STRIKE HEALTH PLANS MERGE JAN. 1, LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE T he health plans will be merging into the new SAG-AFTRA Health Plan starting Jan. 1 — and there's a new website to help kick it off. Sagaftraplans.org is the destination for all information about the new plan, as well as new features such as the new online Benefits Manager. Using the Benefits Manager, participants can view their earnings and eligibility status, add dependents and more. If you have an online Benefits Manager account, log in with your current username and password, otherwise click "register" on the site to get started. If you need help registering for your online account, call (800) 777-4013. The new SAG-AFTRA Health Plan will provide comprehensive medical, hospital, mental health, prescription drug, dental, vision and other benefits to eligible members worldwide. The merger of the plans will allow SAG-AFTRA members to combine covered earnings from SAG-AFTRA contracts toward eligibility for coverage in a single health plan. Like the previous plans under SAG and AFTRA, the new health plan will be administered by its own board of trustees and not the union. Visit sagaftraplans.org T he SAG-AFTRA National Board of Directors, which met the weekend of Oct. 15 in a face-to-face plenary in Los Angeles, voted unanimously to set a strike date of Oct. 21 against certain video game employers. (See sagaftra.org/interactive for strike updates.) The strike was contingent on the outcome of interactive negotiations in the week leading up to the Oct. 21 deadline, and targeted specific employers. Chief Contracts Officer Ray Rodriguez noted that members working in the video game industry were negotiating to reach a fair contract, but that progress had essentially been stalled for nearly two years. In other action, the Board extended David White's role as National Executive Director and authorized a new four-year contract in that capacity, expiring Oct. 11, 2020. The Board congratulated President Gabrielle Carteris, who chairs the union's TV/Theatrical Wages & Working Conditions and Negotiating Committee, for being honored by Variety on its Power of Women Impact list. White provided an update on union operations, including a report on core functions and priority initiatives. White also welcomed Sean F. Taylor, the new executive director for the SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Local. Additionally, White updated members about the union's development of new technology assets, including a smartphone app and a direct deposit pilot program for residuals. White updated the Board on KNBR 680/1050 in San Francisco, a sports radio station represented by SAG-AFTRA that recently voted overwhelmingly to ratify its first contract from parent company Cumulus Media. Rodriguez also announced dates for the TV/Theatrical Wages and Working Conditions process, which commenced Oct. 24 and concludes in early December. The Board also confirmed the appointment of the Uptown Contract Negotiations Team, which will be chaired by Clyde Kusatsu, vice president, Los Angeles. Wages and Working Conditions meetings are happening now. Make sure your voice is heard on the TV/Theatrical Contracts. See page 57 WHY WE STRIKE See page 32