SAG-AFTRA kicked off its Nationwide Conference 2023 below the banner “Future Forward Union Power.”

Fran Drescher, SAG-AFTRA President, opened the occasion by inviting first responders, energetic responsibility and veteran delegates to steer the pledge of allegiance.

“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 mentioned.

Through the conference session, delegates nominated and elected the union’s eight nationwide vice presidents, together with the manager vice chairman.

Linda Powell, who beforehand served as SAG-AFTRA New York Native First Vice President, was elected Government Vice President together with her two-year time period starting instantly

“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,” mentioned Powell.

The next vice presidential candidates had been elected to two-year phrases, efficient instantly (an asterisk signifies candidates who ran unopposed):
Jodi Lengthy, Nationwide Vice President, Los Angeles*
Ezra Knight, Nationwide Vice President, New York*
Michelle Proude, Nationwide Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals
Suzanne Burkhead, Nationwide Vice President, Small Locals
Shari Belafonte, Nationwide Vice President, Actors/Performers
Bob Butler, Nationwide Vice President, Broadcasters*
Janice Pendarvis, Nationwide 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,” mentioned Drescher.

Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher started her report by expressing her gratitude to the SAG-AFTRA TV/Theatrical negotiating committee for his or her work and congratulating all the newly elected nationwide vice presidents and expressed her pleasure in working with them sooner or later. She additionally spoke in regards to the significance of psychological well being and shared updates on key monetary positive aspects the union has remodeled the previous few years, together with the acquisition of a constructing to function 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,” mentioned Fisher.

Newly elected Government Vice President Linda Powell shared her eagerness to get again to the negotiating desk. Powell assured the delegates of her dedication to representing members across the nation and understanding their particular person wants. She additionally harassed her plan to leverage the solidarity constructed by means of the TV/Theatrical strike with a view to enhance engagement all through SAG-AFTRA’s membership.

President Drescher mirrored on the previous two years noting accomplishments together with the union’s partnership with IMDb and introduction of Inexperienced Council. She thanked the delegates and members for his or her service to the union and their assist within the management. Drawing consideration to SAG-AFTRA’s one centesimal day on strike, Drescher reminded everybody that they’re part of historical past, they’re on strike for a motive and they’re going to get a good deal.

Nationwide Government Director and Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Eire opened his report by acknowledging elected members.

“Let me simply say congratulations to everybody who’s elected to serve together with the individuals who had been elected to their places of work at this time: our vice presidents, our government vice chairman Linda Powell, our secretary treasurer, Joely Fisher, and naturally, President Fran Drescher–it has been a real honor to get to know you and work aspect by aspect with you on this battle that we’re preventing collectively.“

Crabtree-Eire additionally reported on a wide range of SAG-AFTRA achievements and shared updates on the present TV/Theatrical strike. He shared the success of the interim settlement and the SAG-AFTRA basis. He additionally acknowledged the strike captains and applauded their continued efforts together with the solidarity that members have proven on the picket traces, representing the extraordinary dedication of members throughout the nation from the union’s 25 locals.

The George Heller Memorial Award, which is bestowed based mostly on contributions and years of service to SAG-AFTRA or its predecessor unions, and the American Scene Awards, that are bestowed on union productions that almost all intelligently and progressively make use of the skills of misrepresented or under-represented teams to realistically painting the American Scene, had been initially scheduled to be introduced this weekend however can even be postponed till the SAG-AFTRA Nationwide Board units rescheduled dates.

TV/Theatrical/Streaming negotiations are scheduled for Tuesday Oct. 24 at SAG-AFTRA Plaza. A number of executives from AMPTP member corporations will probably be in attendance.