Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/964761
6 SAG-AFTRA | Spring 2018 | SAGAFTRA.org G A B R I E L L E C A R T E R I S A Letter from the President "It has become clear that we must alter the existing power structures within our industry to be truly successful." that identifies real solutions and actions that help members confront harassment while securing an equitable workplace. Released in February, the Code of Conduct is an important part of the Four Pillars of Change. It clarifies rules for workplace conduct through our contracts and provides added transparency and avenues for reporting violations. It's the first step in a comprehensive process that SAG-AFTRA is helping lead. Meanwhile, the union continues to work with industry partners, including the newly formed Commission on Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace put together by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and chaired by Anita Hill and other thought leaders outside the industry. It is important to remember that our union doesn't just exist in the walls of our headquarters in Los Angeles and our locals in New York and around the country. It lives through our members' activism and in the legislation we are helping implement in Washington, D.C., and in state capitals. That is who we are — that is what we do. Along with this work, we are also keeping a close eye on important changes in technology that are resulting in practices that are not beneficial to our membership. We are also closely watching the development of so-called deepfakes. This artificial intelligence video tool Dear Member, T his moment in history reminds us why our union is important to our members, our industry and all working people. Unions were founded to protect workers through collective bargaining for fair wages and safe working conditions. As SAG and AFTRA, and now as SAG-AFTRA, we have done that for nearly 85 years. Confronting systemic issues in our industry, whether it be discrimination, harassment, other unsafe conditions or pay inequality, is often difficult — even impossible for an individual. Our power comes in the collective — speaking in one voice. As we grapple with the explosive revelations regarding sexual harassment and work to support those affected, it has become clear that we must alter the existing power structures within our industry to be truly successful. Here's how we're helping to do that. The President's Blue Ribbon Commission on Safety, established in October of 2017, has appointed a Sexual Harassment Work Group. The members of this work group represent the diversity of our membership across the country. These member leaders are now engaging with their fellow members to gain insight and develop protocols to further improve and enhance industry practices. Simultaneously, we have developed our Four Pillars of Change initiative has the ability to steal our images and superimpose them onto another person's body in potentially unpleasant and inappropriate digital forms. SAG-AFTRA is focused on these emerging processes and fighting back when the technology infringes on our members' rights. The work we are doing as a union is more profound now than ever before. Whether it be legislation regarding sexual harassment, age discrimination, intellectual property protections or our right to have our work covered under a union contract, it is crucial we stay educated and committed to keep our work vibrant and life sustaining. As I engage with members, industry leaders and working people across the country, one thing is absolutely clear: Communication is essential to the health and well-being of this union and our country. We are working to help create sustained cultural change and build a better industry for our members. Progress doesn't just happen on its own. It happens with a commitment from good, hard-working men and women to come together as a collective in service to all. Strength in unity, Gabrielle Carteris