SAG-AFTRA 2023 National Convention Adjourns Early As Talks With Studios Back On – Update

Armando Tinoco and Dominic Patten
·5 min read
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SAG-AFTRA kicked off its National Convention 2023 this week under the banner “Future Forward Union Power,” and they closed up shop pretty quickly in the same vein.

Just over after the gathering began, SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher hit the pause button as it was announced Saturday afternoon that shuttered negotiations with the studios and streamers would re-start on Oct. 24. “While it’s disappointing to have to adjourn the convention early, the Negotiating Committee must immediately get back to the hard work of preparing to secure a fair contract,” Drescher said.

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Initially set to run from Oct. 20 – 24, the 2023 convention will start up again once new dates are decided upon by the Guild’s National Board. SAG-AFTRA has been on strike 100 days as of today, with the first set of renewed talks running from Oct. 2 – 11 before the AMPTP walked away and “suspended” deliberations.

Drescher, who opened the event by inviting first responders, active duty and veteran delegates to lead the pledge of allegiance, will lead the new talks with Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and the rest of the Negotiating Committee. Like the previous talks, the union leaders will sit down with the AMPTP’s team as well as  Disney’s Bob Iger, Warner Bros Discovery’s David Zaslav, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos and NBCUniversal’s Donna Langley at SAG-AFTRA headquarters on Wilshire Blvd.

Still, with everyone hoping the two sides can make a fair deal that gets everyone back to work, SAG-AFTRA were also up to some other type of work during their convention. During the shortened session, delegates nominated and elected the union’s eight national vice presidents, including the executive vice president.

Linda Powell, who previously served as SAG-AFTRA New York Local First Vice President, was elected Executive Vice President with her two-year term beginning immediately

“I’m so honored to have been elected by the membership to serve as SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President. I am looking forward to working with President Drescher and the rest of our dedicated leadership team at this pivotal time for our union. We will work to build on the solidarity of this moment to serve our members while exploring new opportunities for growth and innovation,” said Powell.

The following vice presidential candidates were elected to two-year terms, effective immediately (an asterisk indicates candidates who ran unopposed):
Jodi Long, National Vice President, Los Angeles*
Ezra Knight, National Vice President, New York*
Michelle Proude, National Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals
Suzanne Burkhead, National Vice President, Small Locals
Shari Belafonte, National Vice President, Actors/Performers
Bob Butler, National Vice President, Broadcasters*
Janice Pendarvis, National Vice President, Recording Artists/Singers*

“I have had the pleasure of working closely with Linda over the past several years and know her to be one of our most intelligent and thoughtful leaders in our union. She will make an exceptional Executive Vice President. I would also like to extend my congratulations to our newly and re-elected national vice presidents. The SAG-AFTRA membership and I are lucky to have such strong national officers leading and representing our union. Congratulations again to all, and I look forward to continuing our work together,” said Drescher.

Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher began her report by expressing her gratitude to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical negotiating committee for their work and congratulating all of the newly elected national vice presidents and expressed her excitement in working with them in the future. She also spoke about the importance of mental health and shared updates on key financial gains the union has made over the past few years, including the purchase of a building to serve as SAG-AFTRA’s future headquarters.

“We now own a North Hollywood office building, finally achieving a vision that was started decades ago by my mother and former Secretary-Treasurer, Connie Stevens. We accomplished this under budget and at just the right time where we can look forward to enjoying a future where our membership will benefit from this important investment income,” said Fisher.

Newly elected Executive Vice President Linda Powell shared her eagerness to get back to the negotiating table. Powell assured the delegates of her commitment to representing members around the country and understanding their individual needs. She also stressed her plan to leverage the solidarity built through the TV/Theatrical strike in order to increase engagement throughout SAG-AFTRA’s membership.

President Drescher reflected on the past two years noting accomplishments including the union’s partnership with IMDb and introduction of Green Council. She thanked the delegates and members for their service to the union and their support in the leadership. Drawing attention to SAG-AFTRA’s 100th day on strike, Drescher reminded everyone that they are a part of history, they are on strike for a reason and they are going to get a fair deal.

National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland opened his report by acknowledging elected members.

“Let me just say congratulations to everyone who’s elected to serve including the people who were elected to their offices today: our vice presidents, our executive vice president Linda Powell, our secretary treasurer, Joely Fisher, and of course, President Fran Drescher–it has been a true honor to get to know you and work side by side with you in this battle that we’re fighting together.“

Crabtree-Ireland also reported on a variety of SAG-AFTRA achievements and shared updates on the current TV/Theatrical strike. He shared the success of the interim agreement and the SAG-AFTRA foundation. He also acknowledged the strike captains and applauded their continued efforts along with the solidarity that members have shown on the picket lines, representing the extraordinary commitment of members across the country from the union’s 25 locals.

The George Heller Memorial Award, which is bestowed based on contributions and years of service to SAG-AFTRA or its predecessor unions, and the American Scene Awards, which are bestowed on union productions that most intelligently and progressively employ the talents of misrepresented or under-represented groups to realistically portray the American Scene, were supposed to be handed out this weekend. Now they, like all of the convention’s other business will have to wait until new dates are set.

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