Only Just Begun...

ONE.STRONG.UNION.

With your help, One.Strong.Union. has become an important movement that will continue to demand accountability from our NY SAG Board. Would we have liked to have gained more board seats in the election? Of course. But we always knew this was a David vs. Goliath battle, and we’re proud of what we accomplished. O.S.U. candidates landed an overall average of 40% of the votes cast in this election. Not too shabby for a movement that took formal shape only two months ago. We congratulate the O.S.U. candidates elected: Sam Robards, Matt Servitto and Phoebe Jonas.

Your One.Strong.Union. representatives look forward to working with USAN, and with all the members of the SAG Board, nationwide, to bring you effective representation and a successful merger. The four pillars of O.S.U.'s promise to you, the members, are that we will be transparent, inclusive, forward-looking and collaborative board members, committee chairs and committee members. We are hopeful that Mike Hodge and USAN will join O.S.U. in that promise, as they declared they would during the campaign.

The first NY Board meeting will be next Monday, Oct 3rd. Committee appointments will be made by the board at this meeting. This is your chance to get involved! Fill out a New York Division Committee Service Request Form at http://www.sag.org/new-york-division-committee-service-request-form.  Stay tuned. O.S.U. promises to keep you informed. 

Rather than clog your inbox, we’ll be posting regular updates on our Facebook page and we hope you’ll visit often to catch up. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at onestrongunion@gmail.com - we want to hear from you!

ONE.STRONG.UNION. - OUR OFFICIAL PLATFORM

SAG National Board Member - RBD, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Endorses ONE.STRONG.UNION.

“The way to win the future is to have diverse voices, fresh eyes, intelligent discourse, and experienced opinions in every facet of the evolution of our unions. I think the One.Strong.Union. candidates represent our best chance to have that. They kick ass, which is why I am supporting their candidacies. I know and respect them all, and cannot wait to get to work with them, to build our future.”
– Holter Graham, NY Actor, dual card member

AN OPINION FROM ANOTHER DIVISION OF SCREEN ACTORS GUILD

For many years I've supported USAN slate, and in fact had a hand in its formation. But times, goals and groups change, and I have grown uncomfortable with USAN's leadership style, finding it too exclusive; too opaque in its leadership; too determined to quell free speech and opinion, and too inwardly-focused to be genuinely service-oriented, as good union officers and a healthy board must be.

That's why I support the group of SAG members running as independents under the banner of One.Strong.Union., or O.S.U., and why I'm writing you today.

Thanks for taking time with my thoughts.

WHY SHOULD A MEMBER OF ANOTHER DIVISION OF THE SAG NATIONAL BOARD CARE ABOUT THE NY DIVISION?
Great question! The NY Division makes up just over 25% of the SAG National Board (Hollywood makes up about 50%, and the Regional Branch Division – the RBD – just under 25%). It brings tremendous influence to SAG policymaking, and to the work of merger. As a member of the RBD, it's important that I can count on my fellow Divisions to respect and support my Division and its needs, and to act in integrity in all union matters. The incumbent union members running under the O.S.U. banner have already demonstrated this support and integrity, with the bright newcomers to board service that complete the O.S.U. team pledging to do the same.

And remember, when an opposing political party from the Hollywood Division held the majority on the national board, members of the board from all Divisions put their shoulders to the wheel to affect change in that Division, with members of USAN as leaders in that effort. Further, so long as members of the Hollywood Division are listed as endorsers on USAN's website, members of all Divisions have a right to comment on this campaign. Lastly, it's everyone's right, in a democracy, to the free expression his or her opinion.

So to attack any member's comments based on zip code simply affirms a disregard for democracy.

I serve on a *national board* comprised of three interdependent Divisions, and I trust O.S.U. to partner with my Division to support the union today, and tomorrow – for the work they will do for you in NY, and alongside us nationwide.

IF THEY'RE INDEPENDENTS, WHAT'S WITH "ONE.STRONG.UNION."?
I'm especially excited by this. These 10 candidates – incumbents Sam Robards, Matt Servitto, Joe Narciso, Justin Barrett, Andrew Dolan, along with Corey Anker, Kelly Deadmon, Jeff Gurner, Phoebe Jonas and Gy Mirano – came to O.S.U. from many avenues. Some are former members of the USAN slate, who left it to run with O.S.U. Others were selected by the Nom Comm, yet chose to join O.S.U. Still others are candidates running on their own with years of committee experience, who elected to be a part of O.S.U.

Diverse perspectives, allied under the common goal of transparent, inclusive leadership. This is a team that recognizes and honors an entire spectrum of ideas and opinions; that values healthy debate; that deliberately avoids monolithic platforms – a powerful blend of longtime experience in the boardroom invigorated with fresh perspectives.
That makes this team adroit, adaptive, and responsive to the challenges facing us all.

DON'T WE NEED INCUMBENTS AT THE HELM DURING THE MERGER PROCESS?
With O.S.U., that's exactly what you have – with a bonus. Nearly half the team are incumbents – SAG/AFTRA dual cardholding board members with a track record of working on merger. The remaining O.S.U. candidates – also dual cardholders – stand ready to contribute their new ideas, energy, and creative solutions to the merger challenge.

Here’s the math: O.S.U. – 10 candidates, 5 incumbents + 5 bright newcomers. Five of these were Nom Com picks. So of the 10, 7 are either incumbent, Nom Com recommendations, or both. ALL have extensive committee experience. USAN – 10 candidates. Nine are either incumbent, or Nom Com – sometimes both, but not always. “Celebrity candidate” Lewis Black is not an incumbent, not a Nom Com choice, and has no committee experience.

BUT ISN'T THE USAN SLATE THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE’S PICK FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD?
Actually, several O.S.U. candidates were picked by the Nom Com, but felt that USAN had drifted away from its roots, and declined USAN's invitation to run with them. As one O.S.U.-er put it, "I interviewed both members running for president. Twice. Sam Robards is my president. That's why I'm running with O.S.U."

That candidate turned down USAN's invitation to join its slate to run with O.S.U., and the same is true for all other O.S.U. Nom Com picks.

SO HOW IS O.S.U. DIFFERENT FROM USAN?
O.S.U.’s Four Pillars detail the differences, and you’ll be hearing more about specific programs in the next day or so. Here they are, taken from O.S.U. literature:

TRANSPARENT – O.S.U. believes that policy is discussed openly in the boardroom, not whispered in back halls. And we believe in inviting your voice into the conversation, and sharing the results of our work, whether progress reports for on-going efforts, or the final results of concluded business, with you, the member.

INCLUSIVE – O.S.U. believes that a healthy board is a board that encourages diversity: of kind of performer and contracts worked; of philosophy and political view. We believe that from vigorous debate comes best solution; from synergy of strengths comes the most powerful entity. And we believe in including you, the member, in the process of shaping the future of Screen Actors Guild, and the NY Division as we move toward merger. That means increasing board member outreach, and member participation.

FORWARD-LOOKING – The O.S.U. team is made up of NY SAG board incumbents and bright young actors hard at work in New Media. Our perspective is both historical, with a strong understanding of our union’s history, and future-facing, with an up-to-the-minute understanding of the technology shaping our professional world. We will put our expertise to the work of crafting a powerful contract that achieves fair wages for today – and tomorrow.

COLLABORATIVE – This may be our favorite pillar. O.S.U. seeks partnerships with AFTRA and other industry allies. We celebrate diverse opinions, and thrive on rigorous analysis and spirited debate. We believe true collaboration is about hearing all voices, examining all ideas, including all partners… and in not leaving the table until we’ve reached consensus. That means, all stakeholders have a share in solution – and that means everyone is dedicated to success.

BUT IF BOTH GROUPS ARE FOR MERGER, WHY DON'T I JUST VOTE FOR THE INCUMBENT PARTY... THE SAME GUYS I VOTED FOR LAST TIME?
O.S.U. IS the “same guys” you voted for last time! The group is made up of incumbents, Nom Com picks and candidates rich with committee experience.

O.S.U. is in favor of merging ALL members of SAG & AFTRA into one union, but differs from USAN in how we get there. O.S.U. believes the members' voices need to be heard in this process. Really heard: It wants board members and rank-and-file from all contracts and all political persuasions on merger committees. It wants NY members to contribute their ideas not just at membership meetings but at frequent, open, town hall meetings, and through "suggestion boxes" on the SAG website. O.S.U. also wants regular progress reports to go out to the members via email, and online video, so you can monitor progress and continue to participate – not just vote merger "up or down" in a ballot.

O.S.U. is dedicated to merging SAG and AFTRA, and believes the way to do it is through an open process that involves all of us.

And remember: voters can't "just vote for the incumbent party" because both parties are made up of incumbents. The difference is, O.S.U. believes merger can be successfully passed only if we learn the lessons of the earlier efforts. It's the only way to avoid merger failing as it did twice before.

FINE. WHAT ARE O.S.U.’s GOALS FOR THE NY DIVISION?
Broader board room diversity; open New Union discussions and reports; better board-member communication; effective member outreach and education; powerful intra-union partnerships; New Media and Interactive preparation; Spanish language organizing; Background Performer career development; an expanded PWD program… and more, which you’ll be reading about in great detail soon.

Thanks for taking the time to consider a fellow national board member’s opinion on this election – it matters to all Divisions, regardless of one USANer’s published insistence that folks from other regions don’t have a right to an opinion on the subject.

As you can see, I feel strongly that One.Strong.Union. is the team to take the NY Division of Screen Actors Guild into the future, alongside the Regional Branch and Hollywood Divisions. I hope you'll take time to visit them on Facebook at One.Strong.Union. and cruise to their website for more information: OneStrongUnion.com.

In Solidarity,

Mary McDonald-Lewis

National Board Member, SAG
Regional Branch Division

OSU Candidate, Jeff Gurner, On Organizing The Next Generation of SAG Members

OSU Candidate, Justin Barrett, Responds To Richard Masur on Facebook

Richard Masur writes: This year a small group of disaffected SAG National Board members and Alternates who owe their incumbent status to USAN, have decided that they haven't gotten their way in the Board room, because "something is wrong". So they've mounted a counter slate. Please DO NOT BE FOOLED. They are doing this because of personality not policy conflicts. The proof is they cannot define a single policy on which they differ from USAN's. 

Well, there it is, out in the open.  This is the language those of us on NY Board have become accustomed to. Mr Masur's statement helps to shine a light on the absurdity of what seems to be, historically, the commonplace practice of many SAG Board Members and their supporters when they are challenged.  The claim, when they are threatened, is many times "this one or that one doesn't like me" or "they hate us" - that's why they're doing this.  It couldn't possibly be that they have a different point of view worthy of respect or examination.  This latest threat to the common good has taken the fearsome shape of unobstructed democracy.  Mercy... how terrifying.  The strategy of devaluing a differing opinion you feel threatened by is recognizable to me.  I remember having seen it during the first Bush administration, when Karl Rove was running domestic policy in our country.  The President himself was not capable of doing the job of leading the country, so an intelligent advisor was really at the helm.  

The proof Mr. Masur offers is as hollow as the policy of discrediting any who disagree with him.  Anyone who has read the literature that OSU has put out can tell there are in fact lots of substantive differences between these two groups, but the most important, is perhaps in the way we would choose to lead.  A true meritocracy is a system in which leadership candidates or policy decisions are evaluated based on qualifications and objective intellectual criteria. The NY SAG Board currently does not function this way. It should, but it doesn't and this ain't good news folks. For merger to be the best it can, for us to stay relevant in a new century with New Media, we will need to operate in the most professional manner possible.  

Here is why I am running with OSU this year.  I have zero political ambitions and I don't care what party or individual gets the credit for merger or successful contract negotiations.  I care even less for the personal politics that always seem to invade what should be straight business affairs of the Guild.  I don't have first hand knowledge about the political difficulty with MF and USAN and UFS over the years nor do I know well or care about the players in that drama.  The reason I serve the Guild is that my family of five is dependent upon the future integrity of our contracts.  There is nothing more important to me on the planet  than the well being of my children.  I care about business and money.  Who could honestly believe that I would allow the fleeting and absurd personality issues of a group of actors to effect my decisions about that?    

Richard Masur has been fond of saying outside of the boardroom that he does not care what the merger looks like as long as it happens - that's just not good enough for me.  This is an insanely complicated effort upon which the fortunes of over a hundred thousand people lie.  If it's not good enough for you either, then vote OSU.  

OSU candidates, Kelly Deadmon and Phoebe Jonas on the proliferation of non-union work.

GY MIRANO & O.S.U. ENDORSED BY ALINA SEGURA-BUSTAMANTE, WIDOW OF BELOVED SAG & HOLA LEADER FRANCISCO RIVELA

To be so blessed with an endorsement from Alina Segura-Bustamante is a high honor for Gy Mirano. Francisco Rivela was a LION in our SAG community, for HOLA members, and for the entire Screen Actors Guild membership. I know Gy will make Alina proud, and I know Francisco will be watching over her.

-- Paul Christie, former 2nd National V.P. and New York President.

 

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

When I decided to run in this year's SAG New York election, a very special person was in my thoughts: my dear friend and colleague Francisco Rivela. His memory gives me the strength and inspiration to get through the most difficult moments. It was his desire I run, and I'm finally here. Francisco’s wish is reality, and I'm glad to finally fullfil it. I'm running in his name, to carry the torch of his legacy.

Today I'm deeply touched to say I have the great honor to be endorsed by Alina Segura-Bustamante, Francisco's extraordinary wife. Alina, the love of his life and his biggest supporter, walked with him on the difficult path of being a responsible union leader, committed and passionate about his work.

Francisco was masterful in his craft as stage actor and voice-over artist. Audiences will never forget the magic he created when he stepped on stage or behind the microphone. The impact of his legacy is felt and lived everyday by actors everywhere.

Without Francisco we would not have a Spanish Language Organizing Department, or Spanish Language Media Task Force. It all started here in New York 10 years ago in his living room – a small start with huge potential, in that way great things are often created. He called his friends and tempted other actors by wooing us to a meeting to discuss community affairs over tapas and Spanish wine. That was Francisco: "Let's get their attention, here I am, this is what we need to get done."  Francisco de armas tomar. Francisco always took charge.

I met some of my OSU colleagues and friends back then, in the days of the strike: Paul Christie, Cynthia Vance, Paul Reggio and Sue-Anne Morrow. It was Francisco who took me to my first SAG rally and first picket line, and taught me the value of our union. He led by example: knowledge, passion, honesty, hard work, he was never afraid to take a stand. This is Francisco's legacy and gift to me, these precious friends and colleagues who supported him and cared for him deeply. Alina knows that, and we embrace her as our sister.

We all have each other now. Cynthia's words reflect what I feel: "I miss him often, the velvet throated, brilliant and charming man. Beloved..." Beloved and sorely missed by many.

It is an honor to still walk this path with the friends of our community, these exceptional union leaders who embraced Francisco, and all he stood for.  The story repeats itself. I'm lucky to have their support, and with Alina’s generous endorsement, I will carry Francisco Rivela’s message on.

Together we raise a goblet of fine Spanish wine and say with pride : Here is to you Francisco!!  You live in our hearts forever.

In solidarity,

Gy Mirano