New York Local Newsletter - Spring 2024

New York is a

“Get up, get down. New York is a union town!”

If that familiar refrain still rings in your mind all these months later, you are not alone. It’s a testament to the strength of unions in and around New York City. Never was the strength of labor more on display than during the Hot Labor Summer of 2023 and the 118 days of the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical/Streaming Contracts strike, and the months of WGA strike that preceded it.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS

As soon as the strike began on July 14, SAG-AFTRA members and supporters took to the picket lines en masse at the four daily locations around Manhattan: Amazon/HBO in Hudson Yards, NBCUniversal in Rockefeller Center, Netflix/Warner Bros. Discovery in the Flatiron neighborhood, and Paramount in Times Square. On July 25, 2023, the first large-scale rally of the strike, Rock the City for a Fair Contract, was held in Times Square, with thousands of SAG-AFTRA members and supporters descending upon the most famous city square in the country. The high-profile event featured rousing speeches from SAG-AFTRA New York Local President Ezra Knight, National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, and many SAG-AFTRA

WHAT’S INSIDE

3 MEET THE NEW N.Y. LOCAL BOARD

4 Photofile: SAG AWARDS VIEWING PARTY

5 STRONG LABOR SHOWING AT SAG AWARDS

6 I AM A NEW YORK ACTOR: CARRIE PRESTON

8 BROADCAST SPOTLIGHT: BERENICE GARTNER

9 Photofile: LABOR DAY PARADE

10 SCENE AROUND

11 NEW LEGISLATION

12 MEMBERSHIP MEETING NOTICE

LETTER FROM N.Y. LOCAL PRESIDENT EZRA KNIGHT

Dear Members, The Tour of Gratitude. That is what I am calling the recent public appearances myself and other SAG-AFTRA member leaders have made in the wake of our historic labor action. New York showed up strong for our strike, and I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to send gratitude out to the many people who contributed to the enormous success of our endeavor.

First, my deepest thanks to our tireless strike captains. With dedication, you emerged day one on the picket lines, and then, day after day, week after week and month after month, kept your fellow SAG-AFTRA members and our supporters hyped, focused, safe and inspired as we continued to show our resolve on the picket lines, rain or shine. From setting up traffic cones to handing out water and sharing words of encouragement, our strike captains provided a steady hand and uplifting spirit in an uncertain time. The union is forever grateful for your time and dedication to this worthy cause.

PRESIDENT’S LETTER CONTINUES ON PAGE 11 >>

SPRING 2024

members, including Christine Baranski, Aryan Moayed, Liza Colón-Zayas, Wendell Pierce and Bryan Cranston.

Thousands of members and supporters clocked thousands of miles at every New York City picket location. Keeping huge numbers of picketers safe and energized is a huge undertaking, and SAG-AFTRA strike captains rose to the challenge.

“The daily picket lines were a force to be reckoned with and a huge success, thanks to the hard work of our strike captains and staff,” said Knight. “It’s hard work keeping a picket line going, and our captains and the members who showed up every day were the heart, soul and often literal drumbeat of the SAG-AFTRA strike in New York City. I was proud to picket alongside them day in and day out, through the end of our righteous fight for a fair contract.”

LABOR SOLIDARITY

Solidarity throughout the strike was key, with fellow entertainment industry union members joining the lines daily, including the Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) — both during their own strike and after it was resolved — Directors Guild of America (DGA), International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), and Teamsters. Unionized performers from related industries also got in on the picket line action, with members from American Federation of Musicians Local 802, Actors’ Equity Association, and Stage Directors and Choreographers joining regularly.

Support for striking SAG-AFTRA members reached far and wide among all industries in the area. SAG-AFTRA held large-scale partner pickets with stalwarts of labor at each of the picket line locations around the city. On Aug. 22, SAG-AFTRA, WGAE and the national AFL-CIO held a National Solidarity Day, with thousands of union members and supporters joining

the picket line at Amazon/HBO in Hudson Yards, where strike captains unfurled the SAG-AFTRA and WGAE strike banners above the heads of attendees. The following month, on Sept. 17, the New York State AFLCIO and the New Jersey AFL-CIO teamed up with SAG-AFTRA for a solidarity event at the Netflix/Warner Bros. Discovery picket line, with the SAG-AFTRA Philadelphia Local bringing a contingent of striking members up to New York City for the interstate showing of labor power. On Oct. 1, SAG-AFTRA and the Transport Workers Union co-hosted a partner picket outside the NBCUniversal offices, with TWU International President John Samuelsen bringing an outsized showing of support from transit workers across the spectrum, from bus and subway lines to airline workers.

The strike saw ongoing support from labor leaders, including AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond, New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento and SecretaryTreasurer Terrence Melvin, New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech and Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan, and New York City Central Labor Council President Vincent Alvarez and SecretaryTreasurer Janella Hinds, who showed up to picket lines and rallies. “I loved seeing union members and labor leaders from every industry showing up for us each and every day on the picket lines,” said Executive Vice President Linda Powell. “It really speaks to the deep solidarity felt among these unions and a shared belief in the dignity of work and the strength of our numbers.”

With its outside visibility helping inspire work actions across the country, the SAG-AFTRA strike impacted the labor movement nationwide. When the United Auto Workers called for a national work stoppage, striking UAW members from upstate New York came down to the city on

Sept. 27, for a solidarity picket with SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line at Hudson Yards.

LEGISLATORS SUPPORT LABOR

Throughout the strike, SAG-AFTRA members and the working people of New York found many friends and supporters at all levels of government. On Aug. 1, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, Knight and New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon gave testimony at the New York City Council Committee on Civil Service and Labor hearing on two resolutions supporting SAG-AFTRA and WGAE in the two unions’ pursuit of a fair contract with the AMPTP. Officials from governing bodies across the state and the city introduced legislation that buoyed the protections SAG-AFTRA members were seeking in their contracts (see page 11 for more) and made statements in support of striking workers.

“We’re so grateful to all of the government officials who supported the members of SAG-AFTRA during the strike,” said Damon. “Special thanks to U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler; Gov. Kathy Hochul, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, N.Y. Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli; N.Y. state Sen. Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris, Sen. Labor Chair Jessica Ramos, Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Sen. Lea Webb; N.Y. state Assembly Members Alex Bores, Linda Rosenthal and Demond Meeks; NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and New York City Council members Erik Bottcher, Carmen De La Rosa and Amanda Farias, among many others, for standing by SAG-AFTRA members from the beginning to the end.” l

For detailed coverage of all strike activities in New York, visit the Local News section at sagaftra.org/ny

Delegates Elect National Leadership from New York

Vice President Recording

Powell

Knight

ON OCT. 21, SAG-AFTRA officers, National Board members and delegates gathered virtually for what was meant to be the first of three days of the union’s biennial convention. In a turn of events more often seen in the kinds of dramatic stories many of our members are more accustomed to bringing to life, the event was cut short when the studios notified union leadership that they were ready to return to the bargaining table. That pivotal call led to the final round of negotiations that finally led to an agreement. Before things changed course, delegates elected national officers, including three who hail from New York. At press time, the convention is planned to resume June 22 and 23, 2024.

Marc Baron Evan Bass Avis Boone Chris ne Bruno Annika Connor Sanjit De Silva Doris Dear / Ray DeForest Nick Fondulis Erin Fritch Michael Gaston Traci Godfrey Ed Heavey John James Phoebe Jonas Sandra Karas Samantha MacIvor Malikha Malle e Vanessa Morales Jack Mulcahy Janice Pendarvis Jay Po er Cheri Preston Kevin Scullin Sarah Seeds leslie Shreve Vanessa Thorpe David Ushery Deja Vu Rick Zahn

Zazzi

c Baron Evan Bass Avis Boone Chris ne Bruno Annika Connor Sanjit De Silva Doris Dear / Ray DeForest Nick Fondulis Erin Fritch Michael Gas

Godfrey Ed Heavey John James Phoebe Jonas Sandra Karas Samantha MacIvor Malikha Malle e Vanessa Morales Jack Mulcahy Janice Pendar

Po er Cheri Preston Kevin Scullin Sarah Seeds leslie Shreve Vanessa Thorpe David Ushery Deja Vu Rick Zahn

LINDA POWELL Executive Vice President

also serves as a New York Local Vice President

EZRA KNIGHT Vice President New York

also serves as New York Local President

JANICE PENDARVIS

Artists/Singers

Pendarvis also serves on the New York Local Board

While at press, New York Local Board Member leslie Shreve passed away. SAG-AFTRA mourns her passing and is grateful for her over four decades of union service.

Members Shine on the Red Carpet

SAG-AFTRA members came dressed to the nines and packed the house to celebrate this year’s Screen Actors Guild Awards ® at the New York Local SAG Awards viewing party held at the SVA Theatre in Manhattan on Feb. 24. Check out some of the fabulous looks from the attendees at this year’s event.

1. New York Local President Ezra Knight welcomes members to the 2024 New York Local SAG Awards viewing party. 2. The evening’s emcees, SAG-AFTRA N.Y. Local Host Committee

Vice Chair Lori Hammel and N.Y. Local Board member and N.Y. Host Committee Vice Chair Marc Baron. 3. From left, member volunteers

Megn Buckley, N.Y. Host Committee member

Mia Christo, N.Y. Host Vice Chair Lori Hammel, Anna Konovalova, N.Y. Local Board member

Avis Boone, Amy Chang, J.R. Carter, N.Y. Host

Committee member Christina Bobrowsky, Quann Boyd, Austin Brown-Gibbons, N.Y.

Host Committee Chair Jane Beller, N.Y. Local

Board member Jack Mulcahy, N.Y. Host

Committee member Leah Dowdy, N.Y. Local Board member and N.Y. Host Committee

Vice Chair Marc Baron, Nick Sakai, and N.Y. Local Host Committee member Stuart Green.

4. Members show off their red carpet style.

The cast of Succession, which was shot in New York, won the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

New York, Labor Make Strong Showings at the SAG Awards

NEW YORK WAS WELL REPRESENTED at this year’s SAG Awards, with numerous productions shot in and around New York City nominated for awards at this year’s annual celebration of the best performances.

Q The Crown

Q The Gilded Age

Q John Wick Chapter 4

Q Maestro

Q The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Q The Morning Show

Q Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie

Q Only Murders in the Building

Q Oppenheimer

Q Succession

SAG-AFTRA leaders from New York, along with government and other labor leaders from around the country, were in Los Angeles to attend the mostwatched labor union awards in the country.

of Labor Julie Su; New York Local President Ezra Knight; and Chief Labor Policy Officer and New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon. Right, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and Executive Vice President and New York Local Vice President Linda Powell at the 30th Annual SAG Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Above, Michael Cerveris of The Gilded Age, Acting Secretary

Carrie Preston

SAG-AFTRA spoke to the star of the CBS drama Elsbeth about her career, her new job and what the union means to her.

Tell us about what drew you to acting and how you first got started in the industry.

I started doing plays when I was just a kid. I grew up in Macon, Georgia, and [my older brother] John G. Preston was doing plays in the community theater, and I wanted to do what he was doing. Then I fell in love with it and we both ended up pursuing theater. We were encouraged by our parents to pursue our dreams.

I got my undergraduate degree at University of Evansville in Indiana. Then, from there, I went to Juilliard and studied there for four years; I am a big believer in training. Being in school in New York City, we had some people in the industry

who came and watched our showcases, and that’s how I ended up getting work.

How did you get your SAG-AFTRA card?

I got a big break doing theater in The Tempest for Shakespeare in the Park with Patrick Stewart. I was cast as Miranda, and that production went to Broadway. Once I had that credit under my belt, I thought, let me go spend some time in Los Angeles. My first job was a pilot that didn’t go to series, but it was a pilot for CBS, which is a little bit full circle, because I’m doing a series for CBS right now, so that got me my SAG card. My first big movie, My Best Friend’s Wedding, was shortly on the heels of that.

How do you handle the day-to-day challenges of being a working actor?

There are all those down times when you’re not working, and I always try to do at least one thing every day that could feed your craft. That could be watching someone else’s work or going to some other show or reading something that you feel like is enriching or writing an email to somebody or celebrating a friend’s work. I’m somebody who loves to create my own work. When I’m not being hired to work, I often will have something in development that I’m trying to either produce, direct or be a part of as an actor. I try to keep the tools sharpened, so to speak. Then I just try to take care of my body. I try to meditate and keep myself centered as much as I can.

I always try to do at least one thing every day that could feed your craft.

You’re starring in Elsbeth; tell us more about how that project came together.

I first started playing Elsbeth 14 years ago on The Good Wife. It was a guest spot, and I was brought on at the end of Season One. Robert and Michelle King and the producers and writers on that show created really wonderful, fleshed-out guest roles for their cast, so I knew it was going to be something special when I read it on the page. Season Three they brought me back for an arc, and I think that’s when we hit our stride. They would bring me on periodically and that carried over into The Good Fight. I felt very fortunate that they wanted to take this character and build a show around her. [The Kings] saw a way in by taking the Elsbeth character and putting her in more of a Columbo role as a detective working with the NYPD. They were able to reinvent the franchise and spin it into a brand new show. It doesn’t really feel like a spinoff because it’s so new in so many different ways.

You’ve worked as part of some great ensemble casts. What’s it like being No. 1 on the call sheet?

It’s a new level of responsibility for me. I’ve played leads in movies, but to be on a television show, especially a network show, it has a faster pace. We have only three series regulars on this show. I am playing the title character, which means that I’m there every day. I’m used to being in these great ensembles and working a lot, but not every day. I feel really lucky to have an incredible crew who is so supportive and strong, and their stamina really inspires me because the crew is there longer than any actor usually. Wendell Pierce and Cara Patterson are such incredible castmates, so I don’t really think of myself as the lead. I think of myself as a part of an ensemble whereby there are three of us, but every week we get this incredibly talented new cast that comes in with us, and we become an ensemble with them.

What makes for good chemistry on set with new actors each week?

We have such great writers, they’re really giving them a lot of delicious stuff to do. We’ve had incredibly talented directors who have been bringing those things to life. It’s kind of like we’re doing a mini movie every week, because each episode

features a whole new storyline with a whole new world of these upper-crust New York criminals that are trying to get away with murder, and that means there’s a lot of delicious guest roles, because it’s not just the killer alone, but you’ve got the victim and all of the witnesses. It’s really going to be great for New York to have a show like this with such meaty roles each week.

What do you like about filming in New York, and how does New York play into your series?

The city is decidedly a character in this show, and that was really important to [the Kings], to set the show in New York and to shoot in New York. It’s really wonderful to see New York through the eyes of Elsbeth, because she is new to the city. She’s always wanted to live here. She’s obsessed with the beauty of it. When you’ve lived here for as long as I have, you don’t think to stop and look at the architecture, or take in the street performer, or pop in the bodega, or do all the tourist things. I feel like I’m getting a fresh take on this city that I love so much.

What were some of your favorite on-screen projects?

True Blood was one of my favorites. It certainly was a turning point in my career. To be a part of a show like that that was on a prestigious network and really captured an audience in a way that was almost like we were rock stars. It was just one of those shows that people were pretty fanatical about, and that was really fun to be a part of.

You spent a lot of time on SAG-AFTRA picket lines. Why was it important for you to show up for your fellow members?

I’m a big believer in our union and what unions in general stand for, and I’m all about solidarity. I was really behind leadership and the committee, and when they were saying, “We need you on the picket line,” I took that as: that’s my job right now and I felt like it was important to be there and to show the studios and the networks and the CEOs that we are strong and that our solidarity was unshakable, and I feel like we did that. I was very proud of what we did, and I was proud to be on the picket lines. l

Berenice Gartner

The Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist spoke to SAG-AFTRA about her incredible career as a reporter at Spanish-language station WXTV Univision 41 New York.

What inspired you to become a journalist?

My country [Colombia] and all the turbulent moments that were going on when I was a teenager: the guerrilla movement, the war against drug trafficking and the natural tragedies that kept us glued to the televisions made me admire those reporters who were at the scene of the events.

How did you get started in broadcasting?

I started working as a correspondent from an island in Colombia. I was the first-ever correspondent to a national news outlet there, and it was pretty simple to convince the news director to give me the opportunity, since it was one of the forgotten areas of the country. Once I started to do stories, they discovered all the infinite, beautiful cultural angles and problems from a region that was never covered before.

How did it happen that you came from Colombia to New York? Was New York City a career goal or a personal goal?

It was a career move, because my dream was to be an international correspondent; from a small island to the big city! The TV station I was working for did not have anything to offer me in a bigger city and already had a correspondent in New York. The news director recommended me to another station that he knew did not have one, so I talked to them and they gave me the opportunity. What they didn’t know was that I did not speak English at the time, so I came here and started learning the language at the same time I was covering the Colombian community, the United Nations and the trials of the Colombian drug dealers that were in process in New York at the time.

Tell us about Sonríe Colombia, the series you won a Murrow Award for in 2005.

It is probably the most memorable of my stories for many reasons: I was able to go back to my country and understand the work that these medical teams do in countries that, beside poverty, are in the middle of internal disturbances. I was able to go on a second trip to follow the little girl in my story and see her getting a second surgery to recover her smile. On that trip, I fell in love with my husband, who was one of the surgeons and the one that gave me

the contact to the head of the mission. I think winning the Edward R. Murrow was the cherry on the cake and the proof that stories must be told from the bottom of your heart instead of the distance that we are told to keep from the stories we cover.

What are some of the challenges that Spanish-speaking broadcast journalists face in New York City that are different from those faced by your English-speaking colleagues?

I think we have the same challenges, but because we deliver news specifically to the Latin community, we have the biggest responsibility to make sure that we deliver news that will help them grow here. The responsibility is to educate and inform them about the laws and rules that, in most cases, are new for them and bring them the information on programs that can help them and their families to conquer their American dream.

How did you learn about SAG-AFTRA? What was your first impression of the union, and how has your understanding of the union changed over time?

The first time I heard about the union was in 1998, when I started working at Univision and I was told I need to be part of the union to be able to work. Coming from South America, at the beginning I was a little concerned, but soon I understood the union means we are unified under the same ideals of making a job well done with respect, dignity and security. We are working together with our company, Univision, to conquer the same goals and serve our community. l

Record Turnout for Labor Day Parade

On Saturday, Sept. 9, in the midst of SAG-AFTRA’s TV/Theatrical/ Streaming Contracts strike, SAG-AFTRA members took to Fifth Avenue, joining the New York City Central Labor Council and thousands of union members from across the city at the nation’s oldest and largest Labor Day parade. The theme of this year’s parade was “We Organize, We Rise,” and with more members than ever participating, SAG-AFTRA brought one of the largest contingents to the annual event. As the hot Labor Summer continued, the parade was a strong reminder of the solidarity among labor unions across industries in New York City.

1. New York Local President Ezra Knight, center, Executive Vice President and New York Local Vice President Linda Powell, National Board member Samantha Mathis and member Julianne Moore lead the contingent of SAG-AFTRA members and supporters up Fifth Avenue at the 2023 NYC CLC Labor Day Parade and March. 2. SAG-AFTRA members drum their way up Fifth Avenue. 3. Members in the Labor Day Parade and March. 4. Supporters pour onto Fifth Avenue on Sept. 9. 5. SAG-AFTRA members

Paulette Harris, Tanika Holmes, Richard Satterwhite, David Lundy, Greg Packer, Jill Mack and John Patrick Pattie also got in on the Labor Day Parade action, joining the MOVE New York Western N.Y./Central N.Y. Subcommittee at the annual Buffalo AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade on Sept. 4. 6. Jill Hennessy, Katheryn Erbe and Stephen Lang.

There’s been a lot of activity in New York over the past year. Take a look at some of the many places New York Local members have been seen around New York.

Mike Hodge Memorial Blood Drive

New York Health Care Safety Net Committee members and volunteers Rachel Lynn Jackson, Salwa Khan, Carrie Gibson, Blood Drive Subcommittee Chair Cherokee Black, Committee Chair Cathy Lilly, J.R. Carter, Tania Villanueva and Elizabeth Cappuccino at the Mike Hodge Memorial Blood Drive for Entertainment and Media Performers, held in collaboration with the New York Blood Center on March 18 at the SAG-AFTRA office.

NYC Pride March

The SAG-AFTRA contingent lines up on West 31st Street before stepping off at the New York City Pride March last June. Stay tuned for information about the 2024 NYC Pride March on June 30!

Women in Leadership

SAG-AFTRA Chief Labor Policy Officer and New York Local Executive Director Rebecca Damon; New York Local Vice President Liz Zazzi; AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler; and Philadelphia Local President Nicole Izanec attended the NJ State AFL-CIO 18th Annual Women in Leadership Development Conference, held on March 1-2 in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The conference ensures union women have opportunities to grow and thrive in the workforce. SAG-AFTRA was recognized for the visibility the 2023 strike brought to the labor movement.

Member Orientation

New and experienced SAG-AFTRA members attend a member orientation hosted by the MORE Committee on March 26 at the SAG-AFTRA office.

Holiday Open House

Members gathered at the SAG-AFTRA office on Dec. 6 to celebrate the holidays and the newly ratified TV/Theatrical/ Streaming Contracts.

New York Local Legislative Update

SAG-AFTRA champions a number of legislative efforts to protect our membership. We work with elected officials to protect our members in all states of the New York Local’s jurisdiction. Here are just some of the important pieces of legislation supported by SAG-AFTRA that are currently moving through the state Legislature.

Q A.I. & Synthetic Media Protections

In New York state, state Sen. Jessica Ramos and Assembly Member Helen Weinstein, Assembly Members Lea Webb and Demond Meeks, and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal and state Sen. Mike Gianaris all recently introduced legislation to help protect an individual’s agency over their voice and likeness in a world where A.I. attempts to replicate who we are and what we do.

Q DIGITAL REPLICA CONTRACTS

S.7676 (Ramos)/A.8138 (Weinstein)

An act to amend the general obligations law, in relation to contracts for the creation and use of digital replicas. This bill requires employers to provide both an opportunity for informed consent and proper representation before the rights to voice or likeness are signed over. Typically, the transfer of voice and likeness rights are buried deep within the fine print of contracts, with limited opportunities for performers to bargain for improved terms. This bill will

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To the members of the 2023 TV/ Theatrical/Streaming Negotiating Committee and New York Local Board members, thank you for your leadership and service during one of the most challenging times in our union’s history. It was an honor to serve with both of these bodies in this unprecedented time.

The support from organized labor was invaluable. Thank you to the New York State AFL-CIO, New Jersey AFL-CIO, and the New York City Central Labor Council for joining us on the lines and rallying our sibling union members. Thank you to our fellow industry unions, the Writers Guild of America East, Directors Guild of America, International Association of Theatrical Stagehands, Teamsters and the Basic Crafts, and all of our supporters for sticking with us. And thanks to the countless unions from every corner of this union town who showed up for us on the picket lines and online across social media.

protect SAG-AFTRA members by prohibiting digital voice and likeness transfers without informed consent in New York state.

Q FILM TAX INCENTIVE PROTECTIONS

S.7422-B (Webb)/A.7634-A (Meeks)

An act to amend the tax law to exclude a production which uses artificial intelligence in a manner which results in the displacement of employees whose salaries are qualified expenses from the definition of qualified film for the purposes of the Empire State film production credit. Having achieved $700 million in tax incentives for productions shot in New York state, this bill prioritizes workers and protects against job displacement in the film and television industry.

Q COMMERCIAL USE DISCLOSURE

A.216-B (Rosenthal)/S.6859 (Gianaris)

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring advertisements to disclose the use of synthetic media. This bill would add another critical

Thank you to every government official — many of whom are mentioned in our cover story — who supported our members during the strike. Leadership from all levels of state and city government joined our lines on a regular basis. Importantly, in addition, state senators and assembly members introduced legislation that put guardrails around the use of A.I. that would further protect against the misuse of voices and likenesses. City Council members proclaimed their support for our cause. State and city comptrollers put our employers on alert, reminding them that to be good investments, corporations must respect the people they employ.

To our hardworking staff, there will never be enough thanks to you for giving us structure in a time of chaos, and for the long hours and extra days you put into making our strike activities in New York a success.

To the pre-members who were there with us day after day, thank you for joining the

firewall for consumers by requiring all advertisements, in any medium, to disclose when synthetic media is used within that advertisement. This will protect consumers from the duplicitous use of synthetic media by ensuring that a viewer can immediately discern whether the image they are looking at is real.

Q Entertainment COBRA Subsidy

New York state funds a one-of-akind program that subsidizes eligible entertainment workers’ COBRA costs, and was made more accessible and more affordable last year. This program was vitally important during the strike.

SAG-AFTRA, along with our entertainment union partners, continues to engage with Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature to support this subsidy. As of the writing of this article, the governor has proposed and the Legislature has accepted our requested oneyear extension of the program and $3 million funding level in the FY 2025 budget. l

fight. We look forward to having you within our ranks.

Finally, and most importantly, thank you to all of you, every member who held the line. Thank you for your sacrifice and passion — and especially — your righteous joy. There were bright spots in these challenging times, and we found them, from costumes, babies and children and dogs and candy on Halloween to ice cream — courtesy of our broadcaster members — to picket sign puppets, and everything in between. Congratulations to all of us for holding our ground and continuing forward on our heroic journey to a fair contract. Now, the great work of SAG-AFTRA and the entire labor movement continues.

Forward together,

Ezra Knight SAG-AFTRA New York Local President