San Francisco

Open Mic

July 2011 Edition Spring/Summer Volume #3

From the President Features

From the President

Presidents‟ Listening

Tour

Studios – Home and

Away, by Bob Butler

Al Hart Board Emeritus

Faith Fancher Breast

Cancer Walk

Journalist Safety

Atmospheric Voices

When Should a Photo

Shoot Be Under

Contract?

Unlawful Background

Fees

Gary Hansen

Remembered

Staff News

SF Hotel Labor Dispute

KGO-TV - American

Scene Award Winner

„We Are One‟

Solidarity Rally

One Union

Things We Want to Know

Did you move recently?

New phone number?

New e-mail address?

New agent?

All for one, and one for all.

The motto of The Three Musketeers comes to mind when I think about the buzz at every studio, set or stage where AFTRA members are working today. It’s true

that we have tried and failed to “merge” in the past, but the movement to join forces and become one new union has never been as strong as it is now. Our latest attempt to form one new union was initiated in November 2010 by AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and SAG National President Ken Howard. These two leaders share a clear vision and a deep knowledge of today’s media and entertainment industry. Time and again, they have seen how we come to the negotiating table separately to demand better wages and working conditions for our members, even

though we are negotiating with the exact same companies. Imagine our strength at the bargaining table if, instead of negotiating individually or even jointly, we joined forces into one union to work together. The French author, Alexander Dumas, asked for permission to reprint a manuscript he found in Amsterdam where he first read about d’Artagnan and his three friends, the musketeers (Athos, Porthos, and Aramis). Once granted permission, he wrote the following in the author’s preface to The Three Musketeers:

Well, it is the first part of this precious manuscript that we offer today to our readers, while giving it back its more convenient title and under the engagement to publish immediately the second part should this first part be successful. In the meantime, [...] we invite the reader to address himself to us [...] about

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One Union Presidents‟ Listening Tour Comes to San Francisco

On Thursday, April 21 San Francisco hosted the National AFTRA and SAG Presidents’ Listening Tour. AFTRA President Roberta Reardon and SAG Vice President David Hartley-Margolin came to town to find out what our northern California actors, stunt performers, voice over performers and television and radio broadcasters thought about the idea of one new union. SAG National President Ken Howard was scheduled to attend, but was forced to cancel due to personal reasons. Two groups of about twenty members each spent two hours sharing their views on what one new union should look like, how it should operate and what the new union should avoid doing. Held at the Marriott Union Square, the morning session drew many freelance and actor members from both unions, though

some broadcast members attended. The evening session included more broadcasters, but not without input from actor-members. The two local presidents, Maria Leticia Gomez and Kathryn Howell introduced the guests who made a few opening remarks. But most of the time was given to hearing members’ comments, both critical and laudatory, of the current situation of shared jurisdiction and contract management, as well as how a single union might strengthen employment and alleviate friction where there is now shared jurisdiction. The Listening Tour traveled across the country, involving members in large and small Locals and branches, in hopes of collecting enough diverse input to guide discussions between AFTRA and SAG

toward forming a new organization.◊

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Studios – Home and Away By Bob Butler

You may not know Joan Kenley but you know her voice: she was the original voice of voicemail. She is the automated voice on many telephone and hotel voicemail systems, supermarket checkout stands and the telephone lady on “The Simpsons.” When she did her first voicemail job in 1981, she had to drive into the Berkeley hills to audition at a UC Berkeley astrophysics professor’s recording studio. For other jobs she had to drive into San Francisco. The same goes for Denny Delk, the voice on the “Got Milk?” ad. He began his voiceover career in “the Pleistocene Era” (his words) and had to drive into San Francisco’s Mission District for his first audition. Both are long-time AFTRA and SAG members and both have reached the point in their careers where they don’t have to leave home to work - they can do everything from their home studios. They have each spent thousands of dollars on their home studios but technology has made it possible for those of us who use our voices professionally to record on devices as small as an I-pod or a cell phone. The internet allow us to deliver our projects to our clients from anywhere in the world.

Traditional Home Studios There are many advantages of a home studio. First it cuts down dramatically on your commute and you don’t have to look for parking. Denny Delk started his career as a radio disc jockey. His fully equipped studio cost him about $10,000.

Sennheiser 416 microphone $1,000

RCA 77 microphone $1,800

Mackie 8 channel mixer $ 250

Pro Tools audio software $ 500

ISDN Codec $3,000

Sony DAT recorder $ 200

Denon cassette recorder $ 400

Apple Computer $2,000

LG Monitor $ 300 Delk has top-of-the-line line equipment and software that

includes an ISDN line that allows him to transmit his auditions or finished projects directly to his clients. He has also installed a “softwall” that eliminates echo commonly found in non-recording studios. While he has used the RCA microphone, the DAT or the cassette recorder in the past, he admits few people have the need for this type of equipment today. He works mainly on his computer, Pro Tools and ISDN line. Kenley said she doesn’t know how much her studio cost but she has similar equipment, including an ISDN line. She has carpet, a curtain and foam padding on the walls to absorb sound. Her studio is located in a former storage area in her home. It is about 15 feet from her kitchen so she can offer guests a cup of tea when they arrive to do her international podcast. She can also do voice tracks and auditions from home although she admits she doesn’t have to audition too much anymore. She normally gets work based on her reputation. You can actually build a home studio for much less than what Delk and Kenley spent - as long as you have a computer, audio editing software and an internet connection. Here are some things to consider: Microphones: An Electro-Voice 635A or the Shure SM63 microphones cost about $100 each. They are great microphones for narration and voiceover but they won’t give you the rich, full-bodied sound of the Sennheiser or the RCA 77. Other studio microphones are the Electro-Voice RE20 ($400) and the Shure SM7B ($350). Audio Editing Software: • Pro Tools is widely used for news and advertising production. It costs about $500 and normally requires the use of the M-Box adapter. It has everything you need to record, edit, equalize, filter and mix audio files. It works on Mac and PC. • Adobe Audition costs about $350 and offers the same capabilities as Pro Tools. The good: you don’t need any extra equipment like the M-Box. The bad: it’s only made for PC. • Audacity is free software that offers limited ability to record, mix and edit audio tracks.

(Continued on page 3)

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(Studios – continued from page 2) Recording: You want a device that records with a minimum of noise, has an external mic input, preferably an XLR jack, and can connect directly to your computer. I use the Marantz PMD 660 ($499). It has XLR mic inputs for stable connections, records on a CF card, can record in WAV and MP3 formats, stereo or mono and plugs into your computer’s USB port. You can also remove the CF card and put it into a card reader. My back-up recorder is the Marantz PMD 620. It’s the size of a deck of cards, records on an SD card in WAV format and has a very good internal microphone. The external mic input is with a 1/8” mini-plug. Other options • Sony PCM M10 ($230) • Edirol R-09 ($499) • Zoom H2 ($200) Most computers now allow you to plug in a microphone so you can record directly into your audio editing program (Pro Tools, Audition, etc.). But most computer sound cards are extremely cheap and your recording will sound terrible. To get around this problem I plug the mic into my recorder, put it in record mode and hit pause. I then run a cable from the headphone jack to the “line-in” jack on the computer. Now I can record into my audio software and it will sound just fine. Transmission: An ISDN line is nice to have but you could actually do your auditions by talking to your client on the phone or via Skype, record your lines into your audio editing software then upload the file to the client’s FTP server or you can turn the file into an MP3 and, depending on the size, send it by email. Most email systems won’t let you send files larger than 15 MB. That’s about a 15-minute MP3 file.

On the Road A home studio is great but many of our members travel and can’t wait to find a studio to record an audition. I work as a radio news reporter and sometimes cover stories far away from the station. I carry an equipment bag everywhere I go because you never know when you may be offered work. I attended an AFTRA national board meeting in Los Angeles when those huge wildfires broke out across Southern California in October 2007. I worked for 6 straight days, something I couldn’t have done without my equipment.

Hardware: Marantz PMD 660 $ 500 Marantz PMD 620 $ 400 Shure SM63 mic $ 100 Apple MacBook Pro $2,000 Software: Adobe Audition audio software $300 Parallels $ 99 (allows the use of PC-only software on the Mac) The issue of recording away from the studio came up at a recent AFTRA National Board meeting in New York. Recording artist Dan Navarro pulled out his Blue Snowball microphone (retail $99) that he uses to record voice tracks for his music. Blue also makes the Snowflake (retail $69) for narration, voiceover and field recording. Either is a great option when you’re on the road. They plug directly into your computer via a USB cable. But you still have to deal with ambient noise in any room that is not a recording studio.

Voiceover artist Veronica Alsina pulled out her solution: the Harlan Hogan Porta-Booth (retail $149). The Porta-Booth uses sound absorbing foam that allows you to record almost anywhere without the distracting ambient noise. The box folds flat and you can use special, air-tight storage bags that flatten the foam for easy storage.

Alsina uses a Zoom recorder (retail $99-$350) that she places inside the Porta-Booth.

There are many options for recording, editing and mixing audio, whether it’s a complicated multi-track commercial or a simple 30-second voiceover. You can do the home studio for several thousand dollars… but be aware that spending a lot of money doesn’t always guarantee you’ll get better results.

You can buy a $300 laptop, $99 Zoom with internal microphone and use Audacity to make a basic voice recording. But the more work you do, you’ll find that having quality, reliable equipment will save you a lot of headaches

down the road.◊

Editor’s Note: Bob Butler is a long-time AFTRA member - currently on the San Francisco Local Board of Directors, an AFTRA National Vice President and Chair of AFTRA’s Equal Employment Opportunities Committee. In his copious spare time, Bob works as a reporter for KCBS-AM/FM where he’s been employed for many years, having started out as an editor. He’s a past President of the Bay Area Black Journalists Association, currently the Vice President/Broadcast of the National Association of Black Journalists, and a participant in the Chauncey Bailey Project.

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Al Hart Appointed Local

Board Director Emeritus

The Board room was very quiet on June 14, 2011, as Al Hart (former KCBS news anchor) read his resignation letter into the official record. After a half century of AFTRA membership, of which more than 20 years was spent as a member of the AFTRA Local Board, including more than one term as President, Al decided it was time to retire from the Board. “In recognition for a half-century of contributions to broadcasting and dedicated services to the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and its members, as a member of the San Francisco Board of Directors, including President of the Local Board, witnessed by friends, colleagues and staff – the motion duly made, seconded and unanimously carried, the Board of Directors hereby appoints Al Hart to the newly created position of Board of Director, Director Emeritus….” There were a few tears shed, but the event was mostly celebratory as Al was surrounded by friends and colleagues for this momentous occasion. Al was presented with a certificate reflecting his appointment to the first ever Local Board Emeritus seat and congratulatory letters and awards from U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. Left to Right: Former AFTRA Local Presidents Joan Kenley, Denny Delk and Al Hart and current President Leticia Gomez.

A lovely audio tribute produced by Bob Butler (AFTRA National Vice President, KCBS) included clips of hilarious banter between Al and Dave MacElhatton, Al and John Madden, Al singing old standards, greetings from his former co-anchor Lois Melkonian and words of appreciation from Kim Roberts, AFTRA’s National Executive Director. Al enjoyed himself and shared in the jokes and good natured humor pointed in his direction. He was as usual, the hit of the party, and everyone wanted their photo taken with him. Pat Fury Hart, Al’s wife, stayed close and made sure that he took a nice piece of chocolate cake home – his favorite

flavor. ◊

7th Annual Faith Fancher Breast Cancer

Challenge Walk with the Friends of Faith – August 20

On Saturday August 20, register to walk with the Friends of Faith for the 7

th Annual Breast Cancer Challenge Walk. The

walk begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Lake Merritt Gazebo, 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland California (behind Childrens Fairyland). You can’t miss it – you will see a sea of pink and feel the music.

"When a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, she is placed in unknown territory. Women without means suffer the most and often need additional support. There are many grassroots agencies out there to help these women, but they need the funds to provide services to low income women. This is where Friends of Faith is available to help in awarding grants to agencies so they can continue to do this good work." Faith Fancher (1950-2003)

Friends of Faith, Inc. - Mission Statement: Faith's mission and ours is to provide support and information to women who are diagnosed with breast cancer - especially uninsured and under-served women.

Visit Friends of Faith for more information and don’t forget to

register. ◊

Photo courtesy of Ron Fell Photography

…Of Note

Shannon (KTVU-TV) and Mark Oliver welcomed baby girl Julie May Quinn on April 15. New parents Shannon and Mark are thrilled.

Congratulations to the Associated Press Television-Radio Association’s 2010 Mark Twain Competition Winners and Nominees. Click here for a complete list of winners and nominees.

Save the Date! Saturday, October 15, Health &

Retirement Workshop

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AFTRA Welcomes the

Following New

Members:

Christin Ayers

Greg Aiello

Denis Boulankine

Charles Branklyn

Alejandra Cerball

Noah W. Chipley

Elizabeth Joy Cook

Geoffrey Dietrich

Vanessa Git

Jessica Gonzales

Katie Green

James Hyneman

Christina Johnson

Christopher Kuckenbaker

Nancy Lee

Grace Millie Lee

Kailon Loud

Frank Mallicoat

Anastasia Durbala

Mandeville

Hugh Anthony Mason

Nandini Minocha

Martin Ortiz

Chelsea Plummer

Edward Ramey

Jeffrey Charles Redlick

Nick Shakoour

Nicole Shanafelt

J.R. Stone

Ryan Wallace Terry

Anna Trinidad

Sinqua M. Walls

Nick Winkler

Kiffiny Wittstrom

ON JOURNALIST SAFETY An open letter from Mary Cavallaro,

AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director, News & Broadcast

Dear AFTRA Member:

A number of AFTRA members, including AFTRA freelance performers and recording artists, as well as AFTRA-represented journalists, have contacted us to express concern for their fellow AFTRA members covering the events unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa. Press reports of attacks on journalists and their colleagues in Egypt and the surrounding region are shocking reminders of the risks journalist members face in doing their jobs. I hope that you will join me in keeping your fellow AFTRA members and their colleagues who have withstood these attacks in your thoughts.

When the political demonstrations and protests in Egypt began to develop, AFTRA immediately contacted the employers of those AFTRA members we knew were assigned to the region. We inquired as to the specifics of which AFTRA members were assigned, as well as the precautions and security measures being provided for them. The employers replied expeditiously and have returned thorough information in response to our inquiries. Further, they are providing continual updates on the status of our members working in the region. AFTRA is also reaching out to the affected members directly.

Please feel free to share this email with anyone who may ask you about this issue. Also, if you have a colleague who has been assigned to the region or has just returned, and you want to make sure that we contact them directly, please let me know by sending an email to mcavallaro@aftra.com or call me directly at (212) 863-4219.

In situations such as the ones unfolding in the Middle East and North Africa, please know that your union is committed to support you in ways that go well beyond contract negotiations and enforcement. AFTRA is also a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and the AFTRA Foundation is the U.S. umbrella organization for the International News Safety Institute (INSI). Please contact the AFTRA National News and Broadcast Department at (800) 638-6796 if we can be of any assistance and support to members traveling, or planning to travel, to cover events in sensitive areas anywhere in the world.

In solidarity,

Mary Cavallaro

Under the AFTRA Interactive Agreement (IMA) a producer that employs at least ten principal performers on a specific Interactive Program may hire AFTRA performers to do “Atmospheric Voices” under certain terms. Atmospheric Voices are defined as voices for characters that do not have more than 300 scripted words and do not advance the principle storyline: they provide atmosphere to the game’s story, whether it be a bit of characterization, or non-verbal reactions. A performer may be hired to voice up to twenty Atmospheric Voices with a three hundred word limit in a single 4-hour session, or, alternatively, a performer may be hired to voice an unlimited number of Atmospheric Voices in a single 4-hour session in exchange for 200% of the rate for Day Performers (up to 3 voices/4-hour Day).

A performer (or his or her agent) must be notified in writing prior to engagement that the Producer will be recording Atmospheric Voices, including whether the Producer is utilizing the twenty voices or less option or the unlimited option. If the above-mentioned notice is not given, then all voices beyond the third voice recorded in that session will be paid as “additional voices” as set forth in the IMA. Keep in mind that a performer may not record Atmospheric Voices and non-Atmospheric Voices in the same session, and especially that the notifications regarding vocal stress and all other relevant terms of the contract apply equally to sessions for the recording of Atmospheric Voices. For the full text of

the IMA visit the AFTRA website.◊

AFTRA Interactive Agreement Atmospheric Voices

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When Should A Photo Shoot Be Under Union Contract?

Be aware that a photo shoot may fall under the jurisdiction of AFTRA or SAG. Digital cameras are capable of more than still photography - these cameras are also capable of recording moving images. Even though still photography used for modeling or other ads is traditionally outside the jurisdiction of the AFTRA and SAG contracts, the recording of your moving image is not considered still photography. The use of the video or digital recording function brings your photo shoot under the jurisdiction of the AFTRA or SAG agreements and in that case, the photo shoot should be performed under the applicable AFTRA or SAG contracts. If you are called to a photo shoot that is also recording digital or video footage, you are entitled to a session fee under the Non-broadcast/Industrial/Educational Code. The applicable rates will depend upon the use the producer intends to make of the footage. As a member of AFTRA or SAG the membership rules require that work performed in either AFTRA or SAG jurisdiction is covered by a Union contract. This means that

you should receive a written contract and you should submit a member report. Your agent or the casting director should advise you in advance whether the photo shoot will include recording moving images. If you arrive on location or at the studio and you see that moving images are being recorded, call your agent or the Union office in order to confirm that the work is correctly covered. Beware of releases. You may be asked to sign a release at the photo shoot. Under the Non-Broadcast Code, releases for all uses in perpetuity (releases that ask you to give up your rights under the Union contract) are not permitted and, while they may be voidable, you will avoid problems down the line if you do not sign such releases. If you are presented with a release, call your agent or the Union office. The release can then be reviewed for terms that are in violation of the Union contract or which are not

consistent with terms of the booking.◊

Los Angeles City Attorney and California Labor

Commissioner Take Action on Unlawful Background Fees

On May 18, 2011, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and the California Labor Commissioner took a step that, while a long time in coming, is a significant advance for members. The two entities are warning background casting companies that requiring actors to pay a fee for access to work is a violation of California labor law. A total of 14 cease-and-desist letters have been sent. As members may be aware the Screen Actors Guild has been working to draw attention to this issue. The SAG National Background Actors Committee and staff members, and many others have informed, educated and encouraged elected and appointed officials to take action on this matter. According to a press release issued by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office on May 18, the City Attorney’s Office and the State Labor Commissioner sent a joint letter to Central Casting in Burbank, advising it to cease and desist from charging or collecting any fee from Background Actors in violation of the State’s labor laws. Central Casting is believed to be the entertainment industry’s largest background casting business. Thirteen other warning letters were also sent. The press release states that State Labor Code section 1702.1, which was recently enacted, “prohibits talent services from charging fees to background actors for registration, photo processing and other services in exchange for finding them work. Further, state law prohibits any employer from requiring a job applicant or employee to pay a fee or consideration of any type to apply for a job or to

process a job application…long-established state law prohibits any employer from requiring a job applicant or employee to pay a fee or consideration of any type to apply for a job or to process a job application.” “Responding to complaints by background actors, the City Attorney’s undercover investigation found that Central Casting charges applicants a cash-only $25 “photographic/electronic image” fee, regardless of whether the applicant actually receives work, and that other casting companies collect fees ranging from $15 to $80. According to a 2008 press story linked to its own website, Central Casting registers 500 new background actors per week for jobs that typically pay minimum wage for 12-hour workdays. The City Attorney’s office has previously sent letters to the talent service industry notifying them of the new regulations under the 2009 Krekorian Talent Scam Prevention Act that went into effect January 1, 2010. Letters were also sent through a mass mailing to casting directors instructing them not to aid and abet violations of the law by casting

workshops which charge actors to audition.”◊

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(President’s Report - Continued from Page 1)

his pleasure or boredom. This being said, let's get on with our story.

Similarly, your AFTRA and SAG National Presidents asked the elected membership from both Unions in the Presidents’ Forum – of which I am a member – to submit recommendations for next steps for creating one new successor union. These recommendations are founded on the multiple commonalities and similarities that both organizations and its members share, and – most important – are informed by the feedback we have heard from working members during the Listening Tour. The Forum members worked closely together to submit recommendations to the respective National Boards in April and May. In the meantime, just like Mr. Dumas invited the readers to advise him about their “pleasure or boredom,” the Presidents’ Forum for One Union invites you to participate in the process of shaping this one new union. We intend for this process to be 100% transparent and inclusive: that is why we designed a nationwide Listening Tour to hold focused discussions with members representing AFTRA’s varied areas of jurisdiction to hear what our members want and what they need from one union. So, when the Listening Tour comes to your town, please share your ideas and suggestions on how to accomplish our mutual goals, keeping in mind that you will need to be an active participant in this process: “All for one, and one for all.” You can also submit questions and ideas to oneunionquestions@aftra.com where all emails will be shared anonymously with the AFTRA members of the Presidents’ Forum. So why, you ask, do I refer to The Three Musketeers? (when, by the way, they were four and we are two). Aside from their motto, which couldn’t resonate any louder with our objective of forming One Union, I looked at this fantastic adventure series because of how it has “morphed” since it was first published in 1844. Over time, there have been numerous adaptations of the story in musical theater, film, television and, most recently, games – all areas where our members perform work. “This being said, let's get on with our story.” It is true that we are two until we are one. But that shouldn’t stop us from aspiring to be “all for one,

and one for all.”◊

In Memoriam Gary Hansen 1962-2011

We are very sad to report the loss of Gary Hansen, Local Board Director and Metro Networks Shop Steward. Gary passed away at home early on

June 30 from what has been reported as a massive heart attack – he never made it to fly his early morning airborne shift. It is not often that we have to report this type of news and it’s particularly distressing and shocking because Gary was only 49. He leaves behind two teenage children and a devoted girlfriend of many years. Gary has been described as a big bear of a guy, quick to laugh, easy going and very positive. But somehow you got the feeling that he could take care of himself very capably if needs be. Gary has been a constant and reassuring presence at quarterly meetings with station management for many years. Most recently, as preparation for contract negotiations got underway, he, along with his colleagues, took a strong leadership role, including holding meetings at his home. What many people don’t know about Gary is that he was a fabulous photographer and his collection of aerial photos is stunning.

He is sorely missed by friends, colleagues and family.◊

Staff News Frank Du Charme announced his retirement as Executive Director of the San Francisco AFTRA/SAG office effective March 31, 2012. Knowing that his are big shoes to fill, the search for a replacement has begun in earnest. Frank has been the Executive Director since 1998, and worked as a Business Representative for a year prior to becoming the E.D. His many years of experience with IBEW and familiarity with the business made him a good choice for the Executive Director position when it opened up in 1998. But not to worry – Frank is going to stay on to ensure that his successor is fully trained. And until March 31, 2012, Frank will remain fully involved in the One New Union discussions as well as all the other important work he does in the day-to-day running of the San Francisco union office. Michael Bracamonte, Freelance Business Representative, has decided to make a career change – but he will continue to work to make the world a better place. His sights, literally, are set much closer to the ground. Michael is going back to school to earn a teaching credential so he can teach math to children when their minds are still open and full of wonder. Michael was first hired at AFTRA in 2006 as a Broadcast Assistant for a newly created position. He did such a good job that when the Freelance position became available, he was a natural for the job. Michael is one of those people that can do anything (build houses, work on cars, play softball, etc.) and you just want to hate him, but you can’t. We’ve watched him grow up, get married, become a father, suffer through braces, beard, no beard, learn to negotiate, and we will miss his odd

sense of humor and keen intellect. We all wish him the best of luck.◊

AFTRA Members Support the Protect IP

Act

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San Francisco Hotel

Labor Dispute Update

Wednesday, April 20 Unite Here Local 2 and the W Hotel reached a tentative agreement which secured affordable healthcare for hotel workers and their families, improved pensions and wages, and decreased housekeepers' workloads. Approval of the deal was recommended with no delays in getting member ratification and the deal was later ratified. Visit the Unite Here website for up-to-date information on the ratification vote. On April 12, the Starwood Hotels & Resorts reached a tentative agreement with Unite Here Local 2 representing workers at the Westin St. Francis, Palace and St. Regis hotels. According to Unite Here, the settlement came soon after hotel workers at the Palace and Westin St. Francis increased the pressure on Starwood by taking over their lobbies and demanding a fair contract. The contract – identical to Hilton’s – increases wages by $2.00 over four years, secures affordable health insurance coverage, increases pensions, and reduces work load for room cleaners. All agreements have been approved by the members. It was announced on June 11 that the Intercontinental Hotel Chain signed a contract with Unite Here, agreeing to the Hilton deal. The Intercontinental Hotels represents the Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf, the Holiday Inn Express, and the Mark Hopkins. In addition, the Mark Hopkins agreed to withdraw its proposal to convert the hotel into condominiums which would have eliminated jobs for the

employees. March 3 was an important date for a breakthrough in the ongoing hotel labor dispute in San Francisco. That’s the day Unite Here Local 2 and Hilton San Francisco Union Square announced a tentative agreement to end an eighteen month labor dispute. It is a four-year agreement, retroactive to August 2009 and expires in August 2013. It provides for continued, fully-paid health benefits, pension improvements, $2.00 in total wage increases, and workload reductions. The settlement came as similar agreements were reached in Chicago and Honolulu. The contract was ratified on March 11. Hotels that remain under boycott are: • Grand Hyatt Hotel – Union Square • Hyatt Regency Hotel – Embarcadero • Hyatt Hotel – Fisherman’s Wharf • Le Meridien Hotel • Hotel Frank In support of the hotel workers, SAG and AFTRA members are urged not to eat, drink, meet, sleep or otherwise patronize boycotted hotels until Unite Here secures acceptable contracts at these locations. The boycott represents an enormous sacrifice to workers who face fewer shifts and tips, but these workers recognize that if they do not make sacrifices now, they will end up sacrificing more in the future. Workers are willing to make do with less now to ensure that they can take care of

their families in the long term.◊

On Monday April 4, people all around the United States gathered in solidarity in support of and to celebrate working families – union and non-union. The rally and march in San Francisco was sponsored by the San Francisco Labor Council. For photo and video coverage, visit the San Francisco Labor Council, We Are One and

the AFL-CIO websites.◊

KGO-TV Wins 2011

American Scene

“Belva Davis”

Award® A nice way to welcome incoming GM, Bill Burton. KGO-TV was selected as the recipient of the 2011 American Scene “Belva Davis” Award® in the television news station category of this year’s competition. The American Scene Award® judges felt that the overall diversity of age and ethnicity of KGO’s on-air news team was worthy of recognition and it rose to the top of a very competitive category. It is especially notable that a San Francisco news station should receive an award named after civil rights pioneer and our very own Bay Area newsperson, Belva Davis! The American Scene Awards® are presented at the AFTRA National Convention. This year, the Convention is being held in Seattle, with over 300 member-delegates from across the U.S. from all categories of AFTRA’s jurisdiction, staff from all AFTRA Locals, invited dignitaries, media and guests expected to attend.

Congratulations to KGO-TV.◊

We Are One - Solidarity Rally in San Francisco

Art Pulaski, Executive Director of California State Labor Federation (State AFL-CIO) and Karen Lipney, Associate Executive Director San Francisco AFTRA/SAG.

Ann Darragh (AFTRA/SAG/Equity) and her union proud family.

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American Federation of

Television and Radio Artists

350 Sansome Street

Suite 900

San Francisco, CA 94104

Phone

(415) 391-7510

Fax

(415) 391-1108

E-mail

sf@aftra.com

NATIONAL OFFICERS VICE PRESIDENTS

Bob Butler

Denny Delk

LOCAL OFFICERS

PRESIDENT

Maria Leticia Gomez

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Don Sanchez SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Dana King

TREASURER

Denny Delk

RECORDING SECRETARY

Mike Pechner

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Joel Abrams, KBLX-FM

Brad Belstock, KTVU Writers

Jon Bristow, KGO-AM Staff

Mark Burnette, KRON-TV Dirs

Belva Davis, KQED-TV/FL

Denny Delk, FL

Maria Leticia Gomez, KDTV

Gene Haagenson, KFSN-TV

William Hall, FL

Mark Jones, FL

Joan Kenley, FL

Dan Kerman, KRON-TV News

Dana King, KPIX-TV

Sandy Mahoney, FL

Mike Pechner, FL

Fred Pitts, FL

Sydney Rainin, FL

Joe Rogers, KCBS-AM Editors

John Rothmann, FL

Don Sanchez, KGO-TV

John Sasaki, KTVU-TV News

Faith Sidlow ,KSEE-TV

Barbara Taylor, KCBS-AM Rptr

Nina Thorsen, KQED-FM

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News Release: AFTRA and SAG Convene Formal

Discussions to Create One Union Silver Spring, Maryland, June 19, 2011

Screen Actors Guild and the American Fed-eration of Tele-vision and Radio Artists convened this weekend for the first, formal face-to-face Discussions

between the AFTRA New Union Committee and the SAG Merger Task Force at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Maryland. The two groups, comprised of members including actors, performers, recording artists and broadcast professionals, met together as the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA Group for One Union (G1) to facilitate the creation of one successor union to represent all of the members of AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild The G1 established a series of work groups to discuss six key areas that rank-and-file members identified as important during the Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA Presidents’ Forum for One Union nationwide Listening Tour. The six workgroups are:

o Governance and Structure o Finance and Dues o Collective Bargaining o Pension, Health and Retirement o Operations and Staff o Member Education and Outreach

The work groups will meet throughout 2011, formulate recommendations for how the successor union should address each area

and bring those recommendations back to the G1 for approval. These recommendations will inform the G1’s work to create the Merger Agreement, National Constitution and uniform dues structure that each union’s National Board has required for review by January 2012. In a joint statement, AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and Screen Actors Guild President Ken Howard praised the unions’ inaugural meeting saying: “We applaud the members and staff of our two unions for their incredible solidarity and vision during this intense and substantive weekend. We know the members of the successor union will be well served by their diligent and hard work during the months to come.” On Friday, June 17, AFL-CIO President Richard L. Trumka, joined by Department of Professional Employees President Paul Almeida, welcomed the members and staff of Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA. Trumka addressed the group and praised the unions’ leaderships for their commitment to solidarity and their work on the effort to unite AFTRA and SAG saying, “I encourage you to keep an open mind and base your decision not on any preconceived notions but on this measure alone: What is best for our members, our unions and our future. That’s the big picture we must all keep our eyes on. Whatever your decision the 12 million members of the AFL-CIO will support you.” The weekend’s meetings were facilitated by Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Professor Susan J. Schurman, and noted labor consultant Peter S. DiCicco. The next meeting of the full AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild Group for One Union is scheduled for August 27 – 28 in New York

City. ◊

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