SAG NV Ntl Bd Report: Retro November 2006

NATIONAL BOARD REPORT By Art Lynch

Why Care?
In January we will begin a major change within the union and in the way we, as members, need to step up to the plate.

We will have a new national executive director who is ready to score for us on every playing field. You will be asked to approve a proposed dues and initiation fee structure, to step up to the plate and not simply rely on staff “to know all or do all,” and to fully do your part to help Screen Actors Guild remain and shine as the “premier performers' union in the world” and a “crown jewel in the American Labor Movement.” The quotes come from one of the top men in the entire labor movement--AFL-CIO International Secretary Treasurer Richard L. Trumka. The rest from an understanding that the next two years will be the most important in the history of our branch and our union.

We face a rapidly changing world, with employers who are not quick to want to give us our fair share of the revenue on new “promotional” media (from their point of view) and for the increasing ease of using our images and talents freely across media platforms and even into synthetic reproduction, virtual reality and still-developing technologies.

This is the time to commit to your union.

Nevada branch members take staff for granted.
No, I am not saying you do not appreciate what our executives do. I am instead referring to a history of having strong staff support, with and without an office, where staff looked out for Nevada first and did much of the work or advised us what to do.

Those times are past.

If you want work, for the Nevada branch to continue and grow (once again) strong, for the potential of a return to a “brick and mortar” locally staffed office, then it is time to step up and do your part for Nevada. Make your voice heard and let your eyes and ears work for your union.

Our staff works hard, but consider that our executive has two branches he oversees and is housed at the Los Angeles office. Also consider that our budgets, including the travel budget, are tight and constantly under the watchful eye of a, through necessity, fiscally conservative union (both staff and nationally elected officers).

Elected officials and staff members who are not from Nevada, who have caused me some concern, say things at the office level. There is nothing specific I can report, but I am here to ask you to become more active in defending and building our branch.

It is up to us to push for change. It is up to all of us to be the eyes and ears of the union at the casting offices, with our agents, on the sets and on the streets. We cannot talk officially for the union, but we can counter a strong “do not join” anti-union rhetoric when we hear it, and we can report back to staff when we smell a rat. We could question if Rule One violations are being made. We can report potential union security violations (non-union hired instead of union workers). We can, and must, keep staff abreast of non-union casting or productions. It is up to all of us to keep our union strong and show Hollywood why all of our branches are needed, strong and vital to the future of the Screen Actors Guild.

Attend and support the Conservatory.

But there are other jobs to be done. From simply reporting questionable activities, to working aggressively on communications, wages and working conditions, agency or member relations or in a large number of other member-driven areas.

Jerry Maguire Meets Braveheart
Doug Allen, #59 linebacker for the Buffalo Bills in the early 1970s and 31-year unionist, has been hired as our new national executive director. Doug will take office in January, but has agreed to do many functions for the Guild in advance of officially occupying his office.

Why a football player? Hard tackles, effective passing, the ability to run rings around management and other puns come to mind. The truth is that Doug comes to us after 24 years as a key employee of the NFL Players Association, professional football’s union. He is an accomplished union negotiator and leader, having worked across the table from the same corporations and owners who we face with our contracts. In college he led the All Star Team walk out in support of striking NFL players. For the past decade he has been the number two man in the players union, chief negotiator and president of a union-owned company that protects and contracts for players images, names and rights in such areas as film, television, video games, trading cards and other marketing promotional areas.

Scottish in descent, Allen identified himself as a hard negotiator who cares for those he represents but is willing to do battle. In his own words, “think Jerry Maguire meets Braveheart.” He promises to bring to our union the principles of integrity, accountability, transparency, collaboration, communication and focus. He also brings his passionate commitment to the membership, to the union mission, to our principles, to the protection of our images and talents and to both financial and job strength moving well into the 21st century.

He brings a football leader's dedication to winning the game!

Interim NED Peter Frank will remain on as Chief Financial Officer, the position he held before agreeing to be our temporary NED, and will also serve as the Guild's Chief Administrative Officer.

Other National Business
You will be receiving information after the holidays about a much-needed dues and initiation increase. This will probably be a major agenda item of our next branch meeting or of a special information session to be scheduled. The Guild needs to grow and rebuild in a way that will assure a strong national presence for both traditional areas of production, including theatrical background work and zones, and for the now rapidly evolving new means of production and distribution through everything from personal computers to cell phones, DVD to microchips, high definition multi-digital banding, satellite, cable and personal portable players.

The background eligibility remains at three vouchers until such a time as a now newly reconstituted National Background Committee can meet, and its new chairs can bring their views and experience onto the playing field. Alternatives that had been presented to the National Board are now on the back burner following a major change in the structure and political nature of the boardroom.

Screen Actors Guild will be 75 years old in 2008, at the same time as most of our most important contracts are up for negotiation and ratification. A special task force will include all of the living former national presidents of the Guild and will include many special events and surprises.

I strongly advise you to read the email sent to you by the Nevada branch and national union staff or officers, and to do your own homework and research into the issues that face your work, your union and the much-needed labor movement in America.

Thank you,
Art Lynch
National Board Director