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How do we save our union and return it to the rank & file?
First: We do not vote for any USAN/UFS candidate! None. They we”re ALL complicit in allowing this travesty.
Here are some of the solutions I’ve been lobbying USAN/UFS for over 15 years.
At present, our dues pay for USAN/UFS officials (like the 4 VPs I am running against) to lobby state and foreign governments for Producers’ tax credits. Some of these credits amount to upwards of 40% of their production costs.
In NY alone, we have allocated over 700 MILLION to be given freely to these Grifters with NOTHING trickling
down to the Rank & File.
As VP I would lobby states’ government to require a percentage of that free money be apportioned to an emergency/strike fund or any purpose we choose that benefits the Rank & File.
These cash payments are upwards of 40% and our officials should NOT be working to put money in our employers’
pockets without anything for us! USAN has worked to enrich our employers for far too long!
Second, I would lobby Washington to stop the exporting of American business & Intellectual property/technology.
Meaning film & tv. Hollywood is an American invention and should be protected. Hanks and the rest of his actor/producer cronies have pitted State and Foreign Governments for increased “Free money” against each other for far too long.
I would lobby Washington to decrease foreign aid or some sort of monetary punishment to countries that poach our productions overseas with cheap labor and cash incentives. Especially China. Our producers kiss the proverbial asses of Chinese officials and do not care that they are exporting an American business and financing China’s aggression towards America.
I would also lobby to levy an additional tax/fine on producers that film overseas utilizing foreign cash incentives.
Next: No caps on union dues. In 2020 A-lister George Clooney gave one million dollars in cash to each of 14 friends.
14 millionaires need not another million. Wealthy members should NOT pay less than their less fortunate members.
They should be lifting them up and not keeping them down. I say pay your fair share.
Union presence: Netflix and other studios & streamers are filming all over the world. I say we really support Global Rule One and begin establishing zones/locals Worldwide.
I would follow the streamers & studios everywhere they establish themselves and make it a SAG-AFTRA union local.
How to further help NY struggling Rank & File: I would establish a shared employment program in NY.
Right now former USAN/UFS member Rebecca Damon has become a salaried employee at a rate of over $100,000.00
per year plus a hefty expense account and great benefits(Heath & Pension that members haven’t!).
Ms. Damon is doing the same job she did as a volunteer elected official. So why pay her now? Possibly a reward for services rendered to our employers? You know the answer to that.
What I’ve proposed all these years and as NY VP I will implement a “Shared Employment Program”.
Each job at SAG-AFTRA would be shared by two members and one alternate.
The idea is that two members would make their own hours depending on auditions & acting, stunt, etc work.
This would give members steady employment/income. And because the job is shared. Each member would be able to take off for auditions, and classes & free to work on union bookings whenever necessary. There would always be someone to cover for the member who needs to do SAG-AFTRA things as there are always two persons to cover their shift.
As far as a lack of reps on set to keep productions compliant with all contract provisions. I will institute a Key Background Artist on each set. Much like a key PA that is in charge of all PAs but in this case.Would be in charge of all Background Artists(and Principles of course if necessary). This would ensure that every set has a union member on set to ensure contract compliance, safe working conditions, etc.
I would also like to keep the office open 24 hours to facilitate members working strange and dangerous hours.
A designated area could be set aside for members to rest in between jobs/auditions or a safe place to wait for a train or bus.
We would have coffee, tea, and light snacks for the members.
After all, it is our union, our office. Paid for by our dues.
I would enforce monthly casting directors’ meet & greets. I would however insist that principal casting directors attend as opposed to only background casting, as has been the case for years.
The addition of a true 24-hour emergency call center to protect members with cab rides when wrapped in dangerous neighborhoods or for any other emergency.Manned by NY members with training and authority to act on members’ behalves. Any charges or funds disbursed for cabs etc would be charged back to the production company causing the emergency.
I would also require ALL new members to attend an orientation and I would cease the rampant availability of waivers.
Too many times I’ve seen non-union waivered when union members were readily available.
We have too many members competing for too few union jobs.
We need to revamp and clarify principal upgrades. Far too many background artists are doing principal physical & silent
principle bits without proper compensation and recognition for their talent.
And of course, I am 100% for open board meetings with member participation.
Members must be allowed to watch what their elected officials are doing or not doing.
And every single member working on ANY contract must be recognized and represented
in every contract negotiation.No member is left behind.EVER!
I’ll be sending more emails in the coming weeks outlining further plans for NY.
In the interim please vote for me
Kevin Cannon #010 #036 #075 #146