Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/964761
SAG-AFTRA HOSTS SUMMIT OF LATIN AMERICAN ACTORS UNIONS For Members 18 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2018 | SAGAFTRA.org T he Latin American Group of the International Federation of Actors (FIA) gathered in Miami in December for a two-day meeting hosted by SAG-AFTRA to discuss the many challenges faced by performer unions in the region. One of the highlights of the meeting was when the member unions unanimously reiterated their support of SAG-AFTRA and Telemundo performers in a new declaration urging the network to listen carefully to the concerns and needs of its artists. The resolution emphasized the necessity of health and pension benefits, residuals for the reuse of performers' work, and fair and just salaries for all performers. It also condemned any action that might be taken by Telemundo to take its productions out of the United States in retaliation. "With unity comes power, and having the leaders of our sister unions from Latin America here standing by our side sends an unmistakable message to anyone who would doubt that strength or the solidarity of actors around the world," said SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon. The summit brought together union leaders from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay, as well as representatives from Belgium, Canada and the United States. Topics of discussion included gender inequality, sexual harassment and discrimination, and how to prevent retaliation against performers who report inappropriate behavior. The seminar was facilitated by SAG-AFTRA's National Director of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity Adam Moore, in cooperation with Damon and SAG-AFTRA Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. International Federation of Actors President Ferne Downey reaffirmed the federation's commitment to fighting sexual harassment across the industry, as well as developing long-term strategies towards zero-tolerance and harassment-free work environments. Other important subjects addressed during the meeting were the ratification and implementation of the World Intellectual Property Organization Beijing Treaty on the Protection of Audiovisual Performances, health and safety matters in the workplace, the employment status of performers, and related contractual issues in the Americas. The International Federation of Actors is a global federation of performers' trade unions, guilds and professional associations. Founded in 1952, it represents hundreds of thousands of performers in more than 60 countries around the world. SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon joined SAG-AFTRA staff and representatives of performers unions from across the Americas at a December summit in Miami. AFL-CIO/SARDARI GROUP "With unity comes power, and having the leaders of our sister unions from Latin America here standing by our side sends an unmistakable message to anyone who would doubt that strength or the solidarity of actors around the world." — Rebecca Damon, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President