The Chicago Activator - July 17, 2014

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

IN THIS ISSUE

July 17, 2014

Don't Miss SAG-AFTRA Senior Radio Players on July 22

Tentative TV/Theatrical Agreement Union Day at White Sox Need a Break? $2.3 Million in Royalties Secured Discount to Shen Yun Symphony Union Plus Auto Discounts

The Senior Radio Players will present three shows: The Romance of Helen Trent, Lights Out and Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) Tuesday, July 22 Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center 77 E. Randolph (at Michigan) Admission is free, however seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

National Board Approves Tentative Agreement with AMPTP and Recommends Ratification On July 12, the SAG-AFTRA National Board of Directors met in a one-day videoconference plenary and overwhelmingly approved the tentative agreement reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers at midnight on July 4. With the board's approval, the deal now goes to the union's membership for ratification.

Eligible SAG-AFTRA members will vote on the proposed successor agreements covering motion pictures, scripted primetime dramatic television and new media production. The tentative deal unifies SAG and AFTRA television contracts under a new 2014 SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement. In addition, the first industrywide agreement for performers in basic cable production is now incorporated into the new Television Agreement. Click here for a PDF of key deal points.

The board approved the tentative agreement 90 percent to 10 percent and recommended a vote of "yes" to ratify the contracts.

In keeping with the national board's prior policy resolution in this area, the national referendum for the TV/Theatrical agreements will be conducted via an online vote to ratify the contracts.

Traditional paper ballots will also be available on request to any eligible voter who requests such a ballot.

Members who are eligible to vote (under the National Multi-Employer Collective Bargaining Agreement Policy) will receive a postcard with ballot instructions explaining how to vote electronically or how to request a paper ballot. This postcard will be mailed to members on or about July 23, 2014.

The ratification votes received by the voting deadline of approximately Aug. 22, 2014, (electronically or by mail) will be tabulated that day.

Comprehensive details of the agreement will be posted prior to the balloting period and an informational meeting will be scheduled for Chicago Local members. Details will be announced in The Activator.

Union Day at the Chicago White Sox Aug. 31 is Union Day at U.S. Cellular Field. The White Sox are offering specially priced tickets to union members, their families and friends. After a 30-50 percent discount, tickets range from $5 to $25.

White Sox vs. Detroit Tigers, 1:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31, U.S. Cellular Field This is also a Family Sunday game, including several special activities for kids. Former White Sox manager Tony La Russa will be honored during a pregame ceremony. More information and tickets are available at whitesox.com/union.

Please note, orders will not be redeemed at the U.S. Cellular Field ticket windows or the White Sox administrative offices.

This event is being produced and administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Need a Break?

If you are planning not to seek work in the union's jurisdiction for an extended period of time, know your options. As a SAG-AFTRA member, you have the option to change your active membership status to "honorable withdrawal" or "suspended payment-owing" to avoid termination of your membership.

Everyone needs a break for one reason or another. Perhaps you are raising a family, caring for parents or just stepping away from performing for a year. Don't let your dues lapse and run the risk of termination in the process.

Certain criteria apply, and it may limit access to certain member benefits and eligibility for most jobs within SAG-AFTRA's jurisdiction. Also, please remember, that if you remain on active status, even if you do not seek work, you are responsible for all applicable dues and fees.

Taking a break without the worry is easy. Call the Membership Department at (312) 573-8081, Ext 5541 or 3712 for more information. When you are ready to return, we will be here for you. $2.3 Million in Unclaimed Royalties Secured for Members In an effort to ensure members are able to claim the royalty checks they are due, SAG-AFTRA has been working diligently with SoundExchange, the independent organization that collects and distributes royalties for sound recordings. Most recently, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange collaborated to find more than $2.3 million in unclaimed royalties for nearly 2,000 SAG-AFTRA members.

How do you know if there is money for you? Perhaps you have created content that is used on digital services such as Internet radio, cable TV music channels or satellite radio. If so, there may be unclaimed funds waiting for you. To find out, complete the SoundExchange free registration.

For more information, click here or call SoundExchange at (800) 961-2091.

The Sound of Happiness Sent From Heaven: Music from 5,000 Years of Civilization J.S. Bach said "I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music." The ancient Chinese regarded music as a tool to contact the gods, and music was not only for enjoyment and entertainment but also part of sacred ceremony to reunite humankind with heaven.

Delight your senses with the mesmerizing music from the heavens. Experience ancient Chinese instruments like the two-stringed erhu, the plucked pipa and Chinese bells leading a grand western orchestra through melodies rooted in 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture. Discover an enchanting new sound. Discover Shen Yun. One Performance Only The Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra will perform at Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014 Order your tickets online. Use code SAG-AFTRA for 10 percent off for SAG-AFTRA members.

This event is being produced and administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. In the Market for a Vehicle?

As a SAG-AFTRA member, you are eligible for several money-saving offers available through Union Plus. Use the no-hassle Union Plus Auto Buying program through TrueCar to get upfront pricing quotes from new car dealers in your area. You can do it in minutes online.

Then when you test drive the vehicle at the referred dealer and use your Union Plus Credit Card to make a deposit or down payment ($500 minimum to $3,500 maximum), you're eligible for a union-only rebate. Save 10 percent or up to $350.

Here's another deal. Buy a new union-made car and you could qualify for a $100 rebate. Buy new union-made, EPA Green Cars and save even more.

This offer is administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA.

In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website SAGAFTRA.org/chicago