June/July 2015
A Letter From L.A. President
CLYDE KUSATSU •••
Change is an
Industry Constant
A
Members gather to learn about the Commercials Organizing and Recapture Initiative.
Union Rallies Members for
Commercials Recapture Initiative
M
ore than 1,500 members from
across the country assembled
for the April 29 launch of the
Commercials Organizing and Recapture
Initiative — a multi-faceted commercials
organizing initiative to protect and expand
work opportunities for professional performers
in commercials. At
the SAG-AFTRA
headquarters in Los
Angeles, members
filled both boardrooms
and the Founders’
conference room to
hear leaders report on
efforts to increase the number of
commercials shot under a union
contract. President Ken Howard,
National Executive Director David
White and National Commercial
Performers Committee Vice Chair
and Board member Allen Lulu
attended the meeting in Los
Angeles, and were joined via live
stream by National Commercial
Performers Committee Chair
Sue-Anne Morrow, National
Director of Commercials Contracts Lori
Hunt, National Commercials Strategist Gary
Saxe in New York and National Commercial
Performers Committee Vice Chair John Carter
Brown in Chicago.
The initiative calls for person-to-person
dialogue, as well as industry outreach,
coupled with a member-driven social
media campaign using the hashtags
#BestInTheBiz and #GetPaid.
Members were provided with a
toolkit to engage fellow performers,
agents, managers and producers in
conversation about the benefits of
working on union commercial shoots.
“We are going to do this campaign member
to member collectively, because that is how
our union was built,” said Lulu. “Our founders
made this union strong by standing shoulder
to shoulder, and we will continue to keep
our union strong by working and
standing together.”
SAG-AFTRA members
are urged to visit
SAGAFTRA.org/BestInTheBiz
to learn more about the campaign
and how they can participate. l
AFL-CIO
t our Feb. 8
membership
meeting, we
honored Timothy
Blake with the
Ralph Morgan
Award for service
in her various
capacities as
National Board
member with both
SAG and AFTRA, co-chair of the SAG-AFTRA
Film Society, and as a member trustee on the
SAG P&H Fund. It was a well-deserved honor.
I had the opportunity to report to
membership that the state of our union is
good. We’re all aware these days that the one
constant in our industry is change, from the
viewing platforms to the demographics of the
audiences consuming media. The average age
of viewers of network over-the-air broadcast
news continues to get older. The millennials
and younger viewers consume their content
via smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Over-the-top programming services
like Amazon Prime and Netflix, which
deliver streamed content via the Internet
to televisions and other devices for
subscription viewing, are the new disruptors
in the marketplace. Networks and studios
are responding to this growth engine
and adapting to it. Sony plans to offer its
programming content to U.S. PlayStation
owners through the PlayStation Vue service.
Dish, through its Sling TV, is offering a
similar service to Xbox owners, while CBS
will be offering streaming access to all its
KUSATSU continues on page 6
v
It’s All About Engagement
S
AG-AFTRA
EDUCATE
President’s Task Force on
President
Find out how your
Ken Howard
union works, and what
has launched the
it is doing on your
President’s Task
behalf. Educate fellow
Force on Education,
members on the many
Outreach and
opportunities that
Engagement in order to energize and mobilize
SAG-AFTRA and the SAG Foundation have
the union’s membership and strengthen ties
to offer. Get started with the Working For
with the industry.
You! booklet, available at your local or online
The heart of the initiative is member-toat sagaftra.org/workingforyou.
member contact, including set and station
visits, membership meetings and at union
OUTREACH
and industry events. Member participation is
Only SAG-AFTRA members can deliver the
vital to creating a vibrant and effective union.
union’s message to those in the industry and
the next generation of storytellers. The
union has tools to help you prepare. Go to
sagaftra.org/pteoe, where you can find Task
Force outreach toolkits, videos, presentations
and other materials.
ENGAGE
Engagement is the key to SAG-AFTRA’s
success, and an informed, active
membership is our most valuable asset.
There are many ways to get involved: serve
on a committee or as a mentor (and log your
mentor hours at sagaftra.org/acalltoarts);
vote and run for office. It’s your union.
Where will you take it?
TOHORU MASAMUNE
NFMLA Celebration
I
n celebration
of International
Women’s Day,
NewFilmmakers
L.A. hosted short
film screenings at
the AT&T Center
in downtown
Los Angeles on
March 7.
All 12 short films were directed by women
and focused on female-driven stories.
SAG-AFTRA L.A. Local Board member Patricia
Richardson (Home Improvement), left, and
SAG-AFTRA National LGBT Committee CoChair Jason Stuart (Love is Strange) welcomed
guests and introduced the night of films.
KNX and KTWV
Reach Agreements
B
argaining unit members at radio
stations KNX and KTWV achieved
successor agreements, with gains that
included guaranteed increases to both
base salaries and to contribution rates to
AFTRA Health & Retirement. The Executive
Committee of the National Board and the
Los Angeles Local Board approved these
contracts. The increases to base salaries are
retroactive to Jan. 1 for KNX and to Nov. 22
for KTWV. The unit members’ participation
was vital to achieving a fair deal. l
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From left, moderator Shea Scullin; performers Cyd Strittmatter, Joe Smith, Jacy King and Reece Rios;
casting director Michael Sanford; and talent agent Gloria Hinojosa
Finding Success in 60 Seconds or Less
P
reparing for commercial auditions,
expectations on the set and
utilizing commercial work to
prepare for television and film roles
were just a few of the topics panelists covered
in Commercials: Success in 60 Seconds or
Less, a panel discussion held at SAG-AFTRA
headquarters on April 30. Talent agent
Gloria Hinojosa, casting director Michael
Sanford, and performers Jacy King, Reece
Rios, Joe Smith and Cyd Strittmatter took
members through their unique experiences
and discussed the relationship between the
performer, talent agent and casting director.
Members Organizing Volunteer Efforts
(MOVE) Los Angeles Committee member
Shea Scullin moderated.
In connection with the recent launch of
the Commercials Organizing and Recapture
Initiative, attendees received The Best in the
Business member toolkit to help them identify
vital steps they should take to spread the word
on expanding union commercial work.
SAG-AFTRA member Judi Baker was one
of many guests who felt the panel provided
beneficial insight. “This was an extremely
educational and eye-opening discussion,” she
said. “I have a better understanding of what
a casting director does and how I should be
prepared for commercials on set. This has
given me hope.”
The event was hosted by the MOVE
Los Angeles Committee, which sponsors
educational events. For more information
or to be placed on the event listserv, please
email [email protected]. l
Welcome to SAG-AFTRA Plaza
ANGELA WEISS X2
T
he historic Miracle Mile building that
houses the union’s headquarters has
been renamed SAG-AFTRA Plaza.
National and local board members, union
members and staff celebrated the big reveal
on April 16, as wraps were taken off new
signage visible on Wilshire Boulevard. The
new name was the result of a lease agreement
between SAG-AFTRA and Oschin Snyder
Partnership, which owns the building, signed
in January 2014. But a new name isn’t the
only change at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. The SAG
Foundation, recently relocated to the 10th
floor, and the AFTRA-SAG Federal Credit
Union, which has rebranded itself as the
SAG-AFTRA Federal Credit Union, will be
moved to the first floor. SAG-AFTRA President
Ken Howard, National Executive Director
David White, SAG Foundation President
JoBeth Williams, Los Angeles Councilman
Tom LaBonge and Jerome Snyder of Oschin
Snyder Partnership addressed a crowd of
approximately 300 guests who assembled for
the building dedication ceremony.
“This is a proud moment for SAG-AFTRA
members in Los Angeles and around the
country,” said Howard. “To see SAG-AFTRA
Plaza lit up along this beautiful boulevard, in
the heart of Los Angeles, is evidence of our
tightknit bond with the Wilshire Boulevard
community and the Miracle Mile. It is a fitting
home for our national headquarters and Los
Angeles Local.” l
From left, L.A. City Councilman Tom
LaBonge, SAG-AFTRA L.A. Local Executive
Director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, Jerome
Snyder of Oschin Snyder Partnership,
SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard,
SAG-AFTRA L.A. Local President Clyde
Kusatsu, SAG-AFTRA National Executive
Director David White and SAG Foundation
President JoBeth Williams cut the ribbon at
the building dedication ceremony.
L.A. Broadcast Steering Committee Debuts
T
he Los Angeles Local now has its own
Broadcast Steering Committee, co-chaired
by Fox 11 television reporter and National
Board member Hal Eisner and 94.7 The Wave
radio host and Local Board member Mike
Sakellarides. The Local Board approved the
committee’s formation at its April 6 meeting.
Prior to the approval, Southern California
broadcasters convened on March 28 to
gauge the level of interest in forming the
committee. Led by National Director of News
and Broadcast Anna Calderon, broadcast
department staff facilitated that meeting
which was attended by a dozen traffic, radio,
and television members from commercial
and public stations. Members addressed the
rapid changes and safety issues they confront
(specifically Weingarten rights) and more.
in the workplace, as well as local contract
Broadcast workshops will be held in June
negotiations and strategies.
and August in Los Angeles, and the group
Executive Vice President Gabrielle
wrapped with a resolution to meet at least
Carteris shared her concern for broadcaster
three times a year. l
issues and her excitement about members’
renewed engagement
in organizing drives to
unionize more public,
commercial and Spanishlanguage broadcast
stations.
Committee members
received training at a
steward and training
session on May 2,
learning about organizing
SAG-AFTRA leadership and broadcasters met for the first Southern
skills, workplace rights
California Broadcast Steering Committee meeting on March 28.
JUNE/JULY 2015
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VALERIE MACON X2
From left, The Evolution of Character panelists Louis Gossett Jr., Robi Reed, David Oyelowo, Blair Underwood and SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White.
ICON MANN Sessions Lead Talks
on Diversity in Hollywood
S
AG-AFTRA was one of the proud
sponsors of the ICON MANN Sessions,
an event designed to generate positive
dialogues and encourage awareness about
black men in Hollywood. The Feb. 17 event
took place at the union’s headquarters in Los
Angeles.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director
David White moderated the first session,
The Evolution of Character, which focused on
the characterizations and representations of
black men in film and television throughout
the years. David Oyelowo (Selma), Blair
Underwood (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Casting
Director Robi Reed and Oscar-winning actor
Louis Gossett Jr. (An Officer and A Gentleman)
were the first set of panelists who addressed
issues concerning representation of black men.
The second session, Black Book Value, was
moderated by Franklin Leonard, co-founder
of The Black List, and featured panelists
Charles King, founder of Macro Ventures
and former WME partner; Jeremy Kleiner,
co-president of production for Plan B; and Matt
Jackson, president of production for IM Global.
Panelists discussed the international value of
Radio Players Welcome
Spring with Two Classics
T
he SAG-AFTRA Radio Players breathed new
life into two radio show classics at the Autry
National Center of the American West on March 19.
The audience was treated to performances of
Richard Diamond, Private Detective and My Favorite
Husband. Originally starring Dick Powell, Richard
Diamond, Private Detective first aired on NBC
Radio on April 24, 1949, and the stories followed
a lighthearted detective who often ended the
episodes singing to his girlfriend, Helen. As the
original stars, Lucille Ball and Richard Denning
brought wacky comedy to the show My Favorite Husband, a radio series
about Liz and George Cooper — “two people who live together and like it,”
based on the popular novel Mr. and Mrs. Cugat by Isabel Scott Rorick.
Radio Players Committee Chair David Westberg opened the show with
a moment of silence in memory of longtime union activist and board
member Paul Napier.
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l l SAG-AFTRA L.A.
From left, moderator Franklin Leonard, panelists
Matt Jackson, Jeremy Kleiner and Charles King
during the second session, Black Book Value.
minority films and examined whether such
projects hold the same success overseas as in
the United States.
Watch video from the panel discussions on
SAG-AFTRA TV at youtube.com/sagaftra. l
Actor and rapper Damian Washington, left,
and MOVE Committee Chair Ellen Crawford
Members Rally for
a Living Wage
S
AG-AFTRA members joined other
union members and the Los Angeles
County Federation of Labor at a
downtown rally calling for an increase
to the minimum wage.
MOVE L.A. Committee Chair Ellen
Crawford joined committee member
Michael Genovese and several other
SAG-AFTRA members at the Raise the
Wage rally on April 15. They turned
out, along with AFL-CIO members and
hundreds of fast food workers to show
their support for a living wage of $15
per hour, paid sick leave and effective
enforcement against wage theft.
From left, actor Michele Lee, broadcast journalist and author Lynn Sherr, SAG-AFTRA National Board
member L. Scott Caldwell, and singer, songwriter and social activist Holly Near at the National Women’s
History Project celebration on March 28 at the Autry National Center.
SAG-AFTRA SUPPORTS
WOMEN’S HISTORY PROJECT
T
he SAG-AFTRA Women’s Committee
was a proud sponsor of the 2015
National Women’s History Project
celebration on March 28.
SAG-AFTRA member Holly Near, a
singer, songwriter and social activist,
and broadcast journalist and author Lynn
Sherr were honored for excellence in their
professional fields and for bringing about
social change.
NWHP is a nonprofit organization
whose mission is to recognize and
celebrate the diverse and historic
accomplishments of women. The
organization provides educational and
informational resources to unify the
national celebrations of Women’s
History Month in March. This year’s
theme was Weaving the Stories of Women’s
Lives. l
HIGHLYWOOD PHOTOGRAPHY
Doubling and Tripling
Your Threat
A
s many performers know, there is
no one path to finding work in the
entertainment industry. Expert panelists
from the singing, dancing and acting realms
underscored that fact at a March 17 panel,
Doubling and Tripling Your Threat: Successful
Strategies for the Singing and Dancing Actor.
At the event, hosted by the MOVE
Committee and held at SAG-AFTRA’s
headquarters in Los Angeles, panelists shared
their unique stories of how their careers
evolved and why it is essential to market
yourself as more than one type of performer.
For those who missed the event, check out
the video online at sagaftra.org/movela.
From left, panelists Gerald White and Jasper Randall; moderator Jen Faith Brown; panelists A.J. Teshin,
Dan Navarro, Sally Stevens, Dana Wilson, Pete Engle and Matisha Baldwin.
JUNE/JULY 2015
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KEVIN MAZUR/WIREIMAGE.COM
v KUSATSU continued from page 1
shows for a small monthly subscription fee.
HBO has launched HBO NOW to millions of
viewers not subscribed to cable, and Apple
TV is planning a launch in the fall, offering an
Internet-based TV service for its iPhone, iPad,
and Apple TV set-top box that would offer
a slimmed-down bundle of TV networks to
compete with more expensive cable packages.
In our industry, we don’t want to be the
Radio Shack of entertainment unions: an
organization that can’t or won’t adapt to the
change. It is a matter of being proactive, not
reactive.
Audience measurement — ratings — and
their importance to the networks have
transitioned swiftly from “overnight” ratings
to measuring viewership in the first three
or seven days a program is available. This
is due to time-shifted viewership patterns
made possible by DVRs recording shows for
later viewing and by on-demand services.
By that metric, many network groups have
seen an increase in viewers and evaluate
their shows on that basis, rather than on
one-night viewership. In April, The Blacklist on
NBC saw an 84-percent increase in the three
days following its initial broadcast from DVR
playback.
Instead of the historic practice of
pursuing of a mass audience gathered at a
single scheduled time, there’s a new kind
of “appointment TV” — one where viewers
decide when and where they will watch, and
then binge on their favorite shows. Recently,
Fuse TV (originally a music channel) merged
with NUVOtv, which was co-founded by
Jennifer Lopez, to become a “blended
network” with programming reflecting a
“diverse flavor” with a target audience of
18-49-year-olds in the Latino community. The
channel refers to its audience as “new, young
Americans” and targets that demographic
with music, scripted and reality shows — a mix
of comedy, culture and lifestyle programming
— that reflects the interests and diversity of
this generation.
As eyeballs migrate away from traditional
news, viewers — particularly younger viewers
— are tuning in to online sources such as the
Huffington Post’s streaming HuffPost Live
channel or MSNBC’s Shift. While President
Obama was getting lackluster ratings on
television for January’s State of the Union
speech broadcast, Shift saw a 130-percent
increase in unique visitors compared to the
previous year.
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Obama dealt with his diminishing audience
on network and cable TV, which saw only
31.7 million tuning in, by not waiting for the
audience to come to him, but by going to
them. He gave interviews to three of the
top YouTube personalities with substantial
subscriber bases: Bethany Mota (8.6 million),
GloZell Green (3.5 million), and Hank Green
(2.5 million). Why? When the president did an
interview with Zach Galifianakis on his show
Between Two Ferns to get Healthcare.gov more
attention, it brought up traffic to the site by
40 percent and the interview was covered in
nearly every major publication.
The future may be uncertain, but these
changes have an impact on members.
SAG-AFTRA watches these trends closely so
that we can continue to stay ahead of the
curve. How? By launching initiatives like the
President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach
and Engagement, which recently released
the Working For You! booklet, containing
information about membership benefits and
responsibilities, how to ensure you receive all
the latest union news and who to call if you
have questions.
The EEO & Diversity committees have
created a brochure, Know Your Rights & Your
Union, with the message: “The best way to
compete in the world of entertainment and
news media is to be a prepared, well-trained
and informed professional. Learn from their
real-world experiences. Understand your
rights and take action.” Contact
[email protected] for this brochure.
SAG-AFTRA recently conducted a
nationwide live-streamed town hall for our
members, marking the launch of The Best
In The Business, an effort by SAG-AFTRA’s
Commercials Department and the National
Commercial Performers Committee, to have
a comprehensive member-driven initiative
to organize commercials and recapture work
opportunities for union actors. This is an
effort to have members stay informed, get
involved and help solve the problem. There
are toolkits available for members interested
in getting involved to help deliver the
message.
In this industry, information is the currency
that allows us to enforce our contracts and
prepares us to be in a position of strength for
future negotiations. It’s not only what your
union does for you, but what you bring to your
union that will keep it strong, effective and
growing so that we keep on moving forward. l
Remembering
Paul Napier
L
ongtime union activist Paul Napier
passed away on Feb. 21 at the age of
84. Paul represents the type of individual
and union leader on whose shoulders a
union’s strength rests. As an advocate and
tireless volunteer on multiple negotiating
committees, he did the hard work of contract
bargaining that supports the careers and
families of so many. As is often the case
with such leaders, many thousands of
SAG-AFTRA members benefited from his
efforts and the union is forever grateful
for Paul’s many decades of service.
Serving Members
Who Are Veterans
T
he SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local
Military Personnel & Families Support
(MPFS) Committee is planning upcoming
events specifically tailored to SAG-AFTRA
members who are veterans. If you are
a veteran or are interested in attending
MPFS Committee events, please send your
name and contact information, along with
your SAG-AFTRA membership number, to
[email protected]. Please note that union
rules apply. Only paid-up members of
SAG-AFTRA may attend.
Your privacy is protected. All information
provided is voluntary, kept confidential and
used for internal purposes only. l
Calendar of Events
Now through Friday, June 19
Women Can Build: Re-Envisioning Rosie Exhibit
This exhibit features original photographs and
stories of the women who are building America’s
21st-century transportation. These photographs,
taken in factories across the country by Pulitzer
Prize recipient Deanne Fitzmaurice, will be
displayed alongside historic photographs of
WWII-era “Rosie the Riveter” manufacturing
workers, connecting past and present. The exhibit
directs attention to the overlooked contributions
of the skilled and hardworking women who build
America’s buses and trains. Parking is available
under Union Station for $6, with an entrance
on Vignes Street. Union Station is accessible
by Metrolink, Metro Gold, Purple and Red
lines and numerous municipal bus lines. Visit
womencanbuild.org.
Monday, May 25
SAG-AFTRA offices closed in observance of
Memorial Day holiday.
Wednesday, May 27
Nominating petitions available for members
interested in running for the position of National
Board member, Local Officer, Local Board member
or Convention Delegate representing the Los
Angeles Local in the 2015 Local Election. Please see
the recent SAG-AFTRA magazine for the official
notice which includes the election calendar and
requirements, or call (323) 549-6614.
Thursday, May 28
Improv Workshop with Second City
2 – 4 p.m. In this free two-hour workshop, you’ll
learn the fundamentals of improv. We’ll discuss the
basic concepts, how it applies to acting on stage and
on camera, and to your life in general. There will be
games, laughter and fun. You don’t need experience,
just the willingness to explore your creativity. For
more information, please call Member Education
at (323) 634-8277.
Valley Days – Vision And Value: Bringing Financial
Clarity to Your Creative Career
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Ready to reach your full
financial potential? In order to successfully manage
your career, you must fully understand your earning
power and determine the hour, day and week rates
that will allow you to live without financial panic.
Join us for this interactive presentation to get
clarity on how to bring your vision as an artist
together with the value you bring to the employer.
For information, email The Actors Fund at
[email protected].
Monday, June 1
Actors Fund Work Program Orientation
1 – 2:30 p.m. An introduction to all Actors Fund
Work Program services, including group and
individual career counseling, job training and
education, financial assistance, and job placement
services. This event is open to all entertainment
professionals. Orientation is held every Monday
CALENDAR LISTINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Check SAGAFTRA.org for the most up-to-date information. If you’d like more
information on an event and there is no contact information listed below, please
contact the Los Angeles Local executive office at (323) 549-6459 or email [email protected].
except for legal holidays. No reservation or
pre-registration required. If you are a member of
an entertainment industry union, please bring your
card. For more information, email The Actors Fund
at [email protected].
Thursday, June 4
Budgeting: Nuts and Bolts
1 – 3 p.m. This monthly drop-in workshop focuses
on helping you start tracking your income and
expenses in a way that makes sense for artists and
creative professionals who don’t always earn and
spend the same way each month. You will learn how
to stop guessing and really get specific about the
ways in which money moves in and out of your life.
The workshop is free, confidential and open to all
professionals in performing arts and entertainment.
RSVP to [email protected] if interested in
attending this workshop.
Monday, June 22
L.A. Local Open Board Meeting
6 – 10 p.m. The SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local
Board opens its meeting to members-at-large for
observation. As part of the policy passed to allow all
future board meetings to be open, this will provide
members the opportunity to see their
local board at work. Space is limited. Reservations
are required and will be accepted on a first-come,
first-served basis (subject to stated requirements). All
members who would like to attend must be in good
standing, affiliated with the L.A. Local and willing to
comply with observation procedures. Minors must
be accompanied by a parent or guardian. RSVP to
[email protected] or (323) 549-6029.
Tuesday, June 23
Proximity: The Maintenance of Marketing
10 a.m. – 1 p.m. For further information, please call
(323) 634-8277.
Thursday, June 25
SAG-AFTRA Radio Plays
7:30 – 9:30 p.m. The SAG-AFTRA Radio Play
Committee presents an evening performance of
old-time radio plays at the Autry National Center
Wells Fargo Theater. Galleries open at 6 p.m., show
begins at 7:30 p.m., 4700 Western Heritage Way,
Los Angeles, CA 90027. For more information,
please call (323) 634-8277.
Friday, July 10
SAVE THE DATE: Grand Performances: Watts 50
Join Grand Performances and the SAG-AFTRA
Los Angeles Broadcasters Committee for an
evening of contemporary music and archival
footage in commemoration of the 50th anniversary
of the Watts Riots.
Friday, July 17 – Sunday, July 19
SAVE THE DATE: L.A. Conservatory Summer
Intensive
PARKING NOTICE: We are pleased to announce that
our visitor parking system upgrade at SAG-AFTRA
Plaza is now fully automated. SAG-AFTRA’s validation
procedures will not change. We will continue to provide
all-day validation to SAG-AFTRA members and guests.
Please be sure to validate your parking ticket before
returning to your vehicle. Please note that cashiers will
no longer be handling visitor transactions.
Celebrating
Women’s Leadership
S
AG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local
Board member Ana Lilia, Chief
Communications & Marketing Officer
Pamela Greenwalt and Local Executive
Director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven were
on hand at the Los Angeles Alliance for a
New Economy annual Women for a New
Los Angeles luncheon on May 1. Hosted
by state Sen. Holly Mitchell, this year’s
honorees included Showtime’s series
Masters of Sex and Kabira Stokes, founder
and CEO of Isidore Electronics Recycling.
Founded in 1993, LAANE works to solve
the challenges of working poverty,
inadequate health care and polluted
communities.
SAG-AFTRA L.A. Local Board member Ana Lilia,
left, and L.A. County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl
JUNE/JULY 2015
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Support Recording Artists
and the Fair Play Fair Pay
Act of 2015
S
Conference Leads Discussion on Labor Issues
SAG-AFTRA leaders join officials from the sports world to speak on a panel at
the UCLA Institute for Research and Employment Labor Conference at Crowne
Plaza Beverly Hills Hotel on April 17. The panel, which included, from left, Robert
Guerra of the MLB Players Association, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President
Gabrielle Carteris, Joe Briggs of the NFL Players Association and SAG-AFTRA
Los Angeles Executive Director Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, discussed current
labor and employment issues in the sports and entertainment industries. They
addressed a range of topics, including collective bargaining and labor disputes,
health and safety issues, and performer and athlete rights. Other SAG-AFTRA
leaders featured at the two-day symposium included member Jason George,
Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and
SAG-AFTRA National Director, EEO & Diversity Adam Moore.
AG-AFTRA has always
supported fair pay for
music creators, including
recording artists and
singers, but the status quo
isn’t working for them. That can change with your help.
We need to take the next step and make sure Congress
passes the Fair Play Fair Pay Act. The bill closes the
AM/FM performance rights loophole, makes all radio
services pay a fair market rate for all music (including pre1972 music), and streamlines payments to music producers.
Take a moment to ask Congress to stand up for artists by
supporting this legislation today. Visit musicFIRST.org to
take action and spread the word on social media using the
hashtag #FairPlayFairPay.