This Month /Este Mes Up to the minute...
May 2013
SAG-AFTRA SAN FRANCISCO-NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCAL
SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contracts Approved by National Board; Members Able to Ratify by Electronic Voting On April 21, the SAG-AFTRA National Board approved the newly negotiated commercials contracts. For this first national contract referendum for SAG-AFTRA, a postcard with voting instructions was mailed on May 1 to members who are eligible to vote. Attendees at the San Francisco-Northern California membership meeting on April 29 took part in a webinar presentation on the terms of the new contracts, and had the opportunity to ask questions. Additional informational meetings are planned at the San Francisco-Northern California Local—watch for notices. Visit the SAG-AFTRA website to view summaries of the 2013 Commercials Contract and the 2013 Radio Recorded Commercials Contract.
Breaking News, Breaking Down
Weingarten Rights
The national Broadcast Steering Committee meeting in Philadelphia in March featured a screening of the documentary Breaking News, Breaking Down, by Mike Walter. This film examines the largely unaddressed issue of the real impact of trauma on journalists. While other professions, such as emergency workers and police officers, have done a better job of realizing the serious effect of mental health issues and trauma on workers, journalists are underserved in this regard. This documentary brings light to the issue and creates a forum for journalists to talk about their experiences. The Local Broadcast Steering Committee plans to sponsor a screening for broadcasters to kick off a series of events, discussions and mixers. Stay tuned for more information.
Broadcasters, do you know your Weingarten Rights—what are they and when can they be used? Weingarten Rights are an employee’s rights to union representation during investigatory interviews, such as conversations and meetings. The NLRA gives employees these rights to assistance based on the 1975 U.S. Supreme Court case NLRB v. J. Weingarten Inc. The purpose of these rights is to prevent management from intimidating employees. Contact the local at (415) 391-7510 for more information.
Marching Through History with Cesar Chavez and the Farm Workers, a Photo Documentary
On Location
Don’t miss this photo documentary by Cathy Murphy. Sponsored by the Labor Archives and Research Center, this powerful exhibit captures life in the fields and on the line for Cesar Chavez and members of the United Farm Workers (UFW). As an official UFW photographer, Cathy Murphy was also very close to Chavez. Her intimate images offer a human portrait of this iconic hero. Exhibit runs through September 30, 2013. Open M-F, 1-5 p.m. Labor Archives and Research Center J. Paul Leonard Library, Special Collections Gallery San Francisco State University 1630 Holloway Avenue, Room 460
Michael Sommers on location at the Salton Sea shooting the film Saltwater. Photo courtesy of Sally Clawson
SAG-AFTRA SAN FRANCISCO-NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCAL 350 Sansome Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94104 P:(415) 391-7510, Fx:(415)391-1108 sf@sagaftra.org, www.SAGAFTRA.org/SF, Editor: Karen H. Lipney Design: Vicki Balich
SAG-AFTRA SAN FRANCISCO-NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCAL
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TV pilot season returned to the Bay Area this spring, much like the swallows returning to Capistrano. Over the last several weeks there was a significant increase in freelance work as several series were shot in the Bay Area, hoping to make it into the fall lineup. Three shows were shot in and around San Francisco in late March and early April. If picked up for the fall, any one of these shows could potentially return to the Bay Area. About a Boy: A single-camera comedy series for NBC starring Minnie Driver and directed by Jon Favreau, based on the 2002 feature film of the same name that starred Hugh Grant. Pulling: A single-camera story based on the British comedy series that ran 2006-2009 on BBC Three. The story is about three dysfunctional women in their 30s living their lives the way they want, not as society dictates. The Untitled Michael Lannan Project: An ensemble comedy about a trio of gay friends in San Francisco. This project is based on Michael Lannan's feature script Lorimer and has been tagged as the new Sex in the City. SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Business Representatives Lori Shockley and Barry Schimmel visited sets, checking in with local talent.
National and Local Elections are Around the Corner!
Of Note
All members of SAG-AFTRA are encouraged to vote, especially in this very first election as a new union. It’s your chance to make your voice heard. Have you considered serving your union as an elected representative, making policy and guiding the union forward? There are many elected positions, which carry various levels of commitment and responsibility. The upcoming elections will determine national and local presidents, national vice presidents, national and local board members and convention delegates.
The San Francisco Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is up and running. Visit the NAHJ Bay Area Facebook page.
San Francisco-Northern California local elected positions are constitutionally mandated, with seats designated for specific work categories (i.e., broadcaster and performer) while other seats are at-large, all open to any member who meets the appropriate eligibility requirements. Be sure to check your mail for the local San Francisco-Northern California notice of nomination and election and the spring issue of the national SAGAFTRA magazine (p.15) for complete election eligibility and schedule information for the 2013 national and local elections. Remember, it’s your union!
SAG-AFTRA Members Support Those With Leukemia. Help Labor crush cancer. Let’s do it together. Join the 30-year Labor quest for cures. Every dollar funds research. Participate in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society 2013 Cure-a-Thon For Life. The LLS funds research, provides support, and helps improve quality of life for patients and their families. Go to LLS.org/sf and click on the Donate button.
Congratulations to Rita Williams and Ysabel Duron on retirement! Thank you for many years of service to the Bay Area, the viewers and the community-atlarge. Visit the local Facebook page - SAG-AFTRA One Union SF to see the great photos.
SOMEDAY IS TODAY
Visit the San Francisco-Northern California Local on Facebook
SAG-AFTRA SAN FRANCISCO-NORTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCAL
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Update for Members Represented by an ATA/NATR Agency To all members represented by an ATA/NATR agency that have chosen to sign a General Services Agreement (or “GSA”) with their agent: There has been some confusion among the SAG-AFTRA membership regarding the scope of application for General Services Agreements that some of you have chosen to sign to memorialize your agency relationships with ATA/NATR agencies. Please note that while a GSA (aka State-Approved Talent Agency Contract) may be signed in your relationship with an ATA/NATR agent for the purposes of legacy SAG-covered work (and, indeed, other areas outside of SAG-AFTRA’s jurisdiction), these contracts cannot be used to represent SAG-AFTRA members for legacy AFTRA-covered work. Accordingly, if your ATA/NATR agency is representing you for legacy AFTRA-covered work, and the parties wish to enter into a written agreement, they are required to execute standard legacy AFTRA contracts for representation. These unionnegotiated contracts clarify commissionability rules as well as all other aspects of the agent-member relationship. Legacy AFTRA agency contracts can be downloaded from the SAG-AFTRA website. Please do not hesitate to contact the National Agency Department at (323) 549-6745 or (212) 863-4305 if you have any questions regarding any aspect of your agency relationships. You can also reach Agency department staff at agency@sagaftra.org.
Highlights of the SAG-AFTRA San Francisco-Northern California Spring Membership Meeting April 29, 2013 at the Union Square Marriott Membership Orientation: welcome to new members, review of various topics, including contracts, signatories, agents, managers, benefits, communications, committee opportunities, glossary of terms, set etiquette, etc. Meeting brought to order by Local Vice President and National Board member Denny Delk, followed by an overview of the agenda for the evening. Denny noted the one-year anniversary of the merger of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild into the new one union, SAG-AFTRA, and introduced the members of the Local Board in attendance. Election-related matters were conducted, i.e., selection of members for the Election and Candidate committees. Denny also reminded members of the schedule for upcoming commercials contracts informational meetings via webinar. Executive Director Len Egert reported on the approval of the San Francisco-Northern California Local Constitution, copies of which were made available to all members in attendance, notified members of the beginning of the elections period, reminded members of the audiobooks narration event scheduled for May 21, reported on the status of broadcast negotiations, gave a brief summary of the restructure of the union approved by the National Board, and introduced union staff in attendance. Local Board members and Communications Committee co-chairs, Michael O’Brien and Kathy Goodin presented the Communications Committee report, noting the communication and outreach achieved, including the creation of a Talent Pool Webpage advertising the professionalism of Northern California performers, the plans for adding the webpage to film commission media kits, the local listing in Reel Directory and Propville.com, the quality of the quarterly newsletters and the new monthly newsletter, and continued outreach. The Committee is seeking new members and a new name for the quarterly newsletter, details of which can be found in the Spring newsletter.
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Assistant Executive Director/Communications Director Karen Lipney reported on the activity of the Conservatory Committee in the absence of Chair Phil Ramirez. The Conservatory continues to bring the membership highquality workshops, at least two a month, and a full schedule is planned for the remainder of the year, including a table read program. BookPAL George McCrae spoke highly of the personal rewards of being a BookPAL (Performing Artists for Literacy in the Schools) and reading to children in shelters, schools and correctional facilities. McCrae noted the 20th anniversary of BookPALS and highly recommended contacting the local coordinator to sign up. Tom Chantler, San Francisco-Northern California National Board member, spoke about the commercials contracts negotiating process, his involvement, and acknowledged the hard work of the members and staff on the negotiating committee, along with congratulations on negotiating good contracts. Members were given the opportunity to ask questions, and the evening ended with the awarding of door prizes.
Ysabel Duron with Marty Gonzales at Ysabel’s retirement celebration, sponsored by the San Francisco Chapter of the NAHJ.
Rita Williams at her retirement party, a benefit for the Friends of Faith, Inc. She is pictured surrounded by the Marriott serving team.
SAG-AFTRA Celebrating One Year!