USAN is PROVEN LEADERSHIP

 

USAN representatives work in every area of the entertainment and media industries and are committed to securing the strongest wages and working conditions for SAG-AFTRA members across all media.

 

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“The future of SAG-AFTRA is streaming. Members deserve stronger contracts, more residuals, better protections, and ending unfair exclusivity. I’m supporting Unite for Strength, Fran, Anthony, and their entire team.
Your vote matters!”

TOM HANKS

Hi New York From Fran Drescher

A Message From Ezra Knight

Meet The Candidates

 

SAMPLE BALLOTS

Please vote for the USAN candidates:

(Click candidate to view candidate statement)

NATIONAL PRESIDENT & FOR SECRETARY TREASURER

NEW YORK PRESIDENT

NEW YORK VICE PRESIDENT

NEW YORK LOCAL BOARD

NATIONAL BOARD

ELECTED

CONVENTION DELEGATE CANDIDATES

74 JANICE DANIELLE
76 RAY DEFOREST
77 MAUREEN DONNELLY
80 ELLI
81 JOSH EVANS
82 VENIDA EVANS
85 NICK FONDULIS
86 ERIN FRITCH
87 MARIE GABRIELLE
88 MICHAEL GASTON
89 JANETTE GAUTIER
90 ANDREW GELLES
92 NANCY GILES
93 TRACI GODFREY
95 STUART GREEN
99 ED HEAVEY
100 ANITA HOLLANDER
101 FRANCE IANN
102 DANNY JOHNSON
104 VIVIENNE JURADO
106 SANDRA KARAS
107 VERANIA KENTON
108 GERALD M. KLINE
109 JEFF KNAPP

 

110 EZRA KNIGHT
111 ILENE KRISTEN
113 TOM LIGON
114 CATHY LILLY
115 DOUG LORY
116 JAMES LURIE
118 ANTONIA MARRERO
121 JOSEPH MELENDEZ
124 MARY ELAINE MONTI
125 VANESSA MORALES
126 JACK MULCAHY
129 JAY POTTER
130 LINDA POWELL
131 LORNA PRUCE
133 ANTHONY RAPP
134 CHRISTINA REDD
135 JAKE RICCIO
136 DORYAN X ROBINSON
137 BUZZ RODDY
139 JOHN ROTHMAN
140 NICK SAKAI
141 CARL SALONEN
142 MHARI SANDOVAL
145 KEVIN SCULLIN

146 SARAH SEEDS
147 LESLIE SHREVE
148 KEITH RANDOLPH SMITH
149 JAKE SOISTER
151 VANESSA THORPE
152 TANIA VILLANUEVA
153 WELKER WHITE
156 RICK ZAHN
157 LIZ ZAZZI
158 MICHAEL ARKIN
159 ADAM AUSLANDER
160 MARC BARON
162 EVAN BASS
164 SANDRA M. BLOOM
165 CHRISTINA BOBROWSKY
166 AVIS BOONE
167 JACQUI BRADLEY
169 CHRISTINE BRUNO
171 ALEX CASTEN
172 JOSH CHARLES
174 ATHENA COLON
176 TOM CROCKETT
177 JANICE PENDARVIS
179 LAJUAN CARTER

ENDORSEMENTS

ALEC BALDWIN SAYS 
VOTE FOR FRAN, ANTHONY and the USAN & UNITE FOR STRENGTH teams.

“The future of SAG-AFTRA is streaming. Members deserve stronger contracts, more residuals, better protections, and ending unfair exclusivity. I’m supporting Unite for Strength/USAN, Fran, Anthony, and their entire team. Your vote matters!”

Tom Hanks

“I am thrilled to endorse Fran Drescher and Anthony Rapp along with the entire UFS/USAN teams. I have long admired Fran for her tireless activism and powerful voice on women’s health, the LGBT community, and all underrepresented communities. SAG-AFTRA members would be lucky to have someone as thoughtful, dedicated, and brilliant as Anthony Rapp for Secretary-Treasurer. This diverse group of leaders will protect our members through strong contracts and innovative solutions. I’m thrilled to lend my support for this exciting team.”

Debra Messing

“In this new world where streaming is transforming our work and our compensation, we need trailblazing leaders willing to fight for us. Fran and Anthony and the exceptional USAN/UFS team are up to the challenge.”

Alec Baldwin

These are special leaders for special times. Fran Drescher is a proven groundbreaker and consensus builder and Anthony Rapp brings a lifetime of work and advocacy to the table. Combined with the exceptional candidates of UFS and USAN, this is the team we need to move us into the future.”

Rosario Dawson

“With the industry savvy, legislative success and chutzpah of Fran and the experience and activism of Anthony, the USAN team brings a thrilling energy of diversity to the future of SAG-AFTRA.”

Tichina Arnold

“Positive solutions and creative alliances, rather than anger and divisiveness. Those hallmarks of USAN have enabled us to get back to work sooner and safer. Fran Drescher along with Anthony Rapp will build on our progress by powerfully uniting us all under the banner of SAG-AFTRA. An innovative team for a challenging time.”

J.K. Simmons

“Having served on the Board for over a decade, I understand the dedication and clarity required to be effective. Fran Drescher has proven she can deliver the goods, even in contentious Capitol Hill; Anthony Rapp profoundly understands our work from his years of experience. USAN/UFS is the team to lead with integrity.”

Morgan Fairchild

“Having served in the SAG-AFTRA board room, I know that it takes vision, strategy, and fortitude to achieve the greatest gains for our members. Fran, Anthony, and their fellow UFS/USAN leaders have exactly that.”

Adam Arkin

Every one of us in the membership would benefit greatly from Fran’s wisdom, intelligence, integrity, work and personal ethics and appetite for commitment. I have personally known Fran Drescher for almost 40 years. She remains level, clear sighted and she comprehends people’s wants, needs and fair labor requirements. In my view Fran Drescher would make an excellent Union President.”

Dan Akroyd

“It has just been announced that Fran Drescher will be running for the position of President of SAG-AFTRA and Anthony Rapp has been nominated for Secretary-Treasurer. I feel confident that with these appointments and the UFS/USAN teams, our union will be able to gain better leverage with regards to health and pension benefits, fight for pay equity and increase streaming revenues for all our members.

Cary Elwes

“Fran knows Hollywood up close. She is a visionary who has the courage to fix what’s broken and uses her life lessons as wisdom. Fran, with her outstanding running mate Anthony Rapp and UFS/USAN will bring invigorating ideas that will benefit all of us.”

Jackie Cruz

“Fran Drescher and Anthony Rapp, with the brilliantly diverse team of UFS/USAN, are the innovative leaders we need for this unique time. The rapid transformation of entertainment is head-spinning. We need cool heads to prevail, with the good sense to do the research and the vision to pivot and position our members to get our share of the pie.”

D.W. Moffett

“Though wading into the morass of collective bargaining in 2021 will surely make her miss the good old days of fighting cancer, Fran Drescher is well suited for the task.

She has never been one to shrink from a fight, nor is she one to say no to a win that falls within the realm of the possible.

She is my friend and my candidate for President.

As is Anthony Rapp for Secretary-Treasurer. An individual who is likewise informed and well suited to the task.”

Ed Begley Jr.

“I have known Fran Drescher personally for over 25 years and I cannot think of anyone better qualified to be voted in as SAG-AFTRA National President. Her incredible team, including her running mate Anthony Rapp, along with Yvette Nicole Brown and Ezra Knight, give me confidence that their agenda of inclusion and diversity will uplift and unify the Union.  Fran’s contribution to the conversation on national health sets her apart as a true leader in good times and bad, and as finder of solutions. It is with great enthusiasm that I urge you to vote for Fran and her incredible team!!!!”

Heather Hartt-Sussman

“The Unite for Strength and USAN team have accomplished a lot–the merger, strong contract negotiations–and they deal with change in the industry head on.  I support their smart approach. Please vote UFS/USAN!”

Holland Taylor

Over the years that I’ve known Anthony, he’s proven himself to be a person of courage and integrity, with an unshakable work ethic and a deep commitment to advancing the causes of fairness, safety, and justice for all. I’m confident in his ability to bring his thoughtfulness, creativity, and passion for activism to the duties of Secretary-Treasurer. I heartily endorse him, the fierce and fabulous Fran Drescher for President, and the entire Unite for Strength/USAN slate, trusting them to do the important and necessary work to bring SAG-AFTRA forward in this incredibly transformational time.”

Jonathan Frakes

Fran Drescher is one amazing woman! She is smart, talented, compassionate & a survivor of cancer & rape. She is well aware of all aspects of film and television. I was fortunate to have been chosen to be her stand-in on the hit show, “The Nanny”, then on “Living With Fran” & on the pilot of “Happily Divorced”. If Fran hadn’t wanted “my positive energy around her” I would never have had the joy, pleasure and learning experience she gave me the opportunity to have. Her sensitivity & support to all who work on her shows is evident to every stand-in, background player & bit player. She understands the needs of all players, be they guest stars or bit players. Fran runs a Foundation and is acutely aware of the needs of others. If elected, it is my opinion that Fran Drescher will prove to be one of the best Presidents our Union has ever had. She knows how to get the job done and done well! She’ll get my vote!

Roz Kern

“My name is David Ajala, I am an actor and a proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Statement: In the years that I’ve known Anthony, he’s proven himself many times, to be a thoughtful, engaged, and courageous man of integrity, with an unshakable work ethic and a deep commitment to advancing the causes of fairness, safety, and justice for all. I’m confident in his ability to bring his intelligence, his creativity, and his activist energy to the duties of Secretary-Treasurer. I heartily endorse him, the fierce and fabulous Fran Drescher for President, and the entire Unite for Strength/USAN slate, trusting them to do the important and necessary work to bring SAG-AFTRA forward in this incredibly transformational time. Being the change we want to see, with Anthony and Fran at the helm.”

David Ajala

“I wholeheartedly support Fran Drescher for President of SAG-AFTRA and Anthony Rapp for Secretary Treasurer. I’ve worked with Fran; she is whip smart, a great listener, inclusive, compassionate, full of positive energy and there’s that awesome sense of humor…She will do great things for our union!”

James Echouse

“As we return to work, the passion, grit and expertise of Fran Drescher and Anthony Rapp will build a stronger future for us all. The extraordinarily diverse and dedicated team of Unite for Strength and USAN, alongside member leaders across the country, is the unified force we deserve. They all have my deep admiration and full support.”

Jason Priestly

“Excited about the possibility of  Fran and Anthony being the new President and Secretary-Treasurer of SAG-AFTRA. They’ve spent decades using their platform to fight for equal rights, LGBTQ+ Equality and protections against violence & harassment. I support Fran Drescher and Anthony Rapp  to helm UFS/USAN to keep fighting for fair working wages, safety and equity for all.”

Kathy Najimy

Other Notable Endorsers

Current SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris, past Screen Actors Guild Presidents Melissa Gilbert, Richard Masur, and Barry Gordon.

Linda Howard, Titus Welliver, Kate Flannery, John Carroll Lynch, Donna Pescow, Jonathan Penner, Gary Burghoff, Willie Garson, Jonathan Del Arco, Loretta Swit, Marisol Nichols, Michael O’Keefe, Stephen Weber, Michael O’Neill, Blu del Barrio, Todd Stashwick, Nehemiah Persoff, Patrick Fabian, and Hal Eisner.

 

USAN ON THE ISSUES

TV/TH & STREAMING

You need contracts that work for the 21st Century. USAN is on the forefront of an ever-evolving industry that changes almost
by the minute; here's how.

COMMERCIALS

Negotiators. Organizers. Educators. We're working to ensure that opportunities are abundant and plentiful within this sector of the market.

USAN ON SAFETY

From the board room to the set, USAN has worked hard to ensure that SAFETY is a key priority in every avenue of your professional life.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

USAN takes pride in having a slate that is representative of our members. We also fight for inclusion and equal rights. Learn more about where we stand on diversity

HEALTHCARE

Learn about how USAN chose to "meet anger with action" by providing solutions during a grim reality instead of taking advantage of members during their weakest moment.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Times Up. Me Too. Four words that put our industry on notice. USAN listened, took note and made changes to ensure no member is ever taken advantage of again.

LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES

On the national scene, SAG-AFTRA is making its presence known. Learn more about how your union helped you in ways you may not have realized; from Hollywood to D.C.

MEMBER EMPOWERMENT

A union is only as strong as its members. And its members are only as strong as they're educated. Learn what we're doing to make members as strong as possible.

ORGANIZING

When members band together, anything is possible. We really value strength in unity. Learn about what we've accomplished when we decide to with each other.

MICRO-BUDGET

There should never be any barrier to creating union work. This new agreement makes it easier for members to create union work.

FACTUALLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS

ARE THE PENSIONS UNDERFUNDED?

No, they are not.
Both are considered in the green zone with a long term plan to be fully funded.(source)

HOW DO STAFF PENSIONS WORK?

The truth about staff pensions.

They have virtually no effect on our bottom line, yet they allow us to retain top talent. Risking the loss of our most valued staff could cost us tens of millions in poor decisions and contract negotiations. Want to reduce their accrual rates? Then get ready to pay them much higher salaries to match their for-profit sector counterparts, costing us substantially more.

FIRST, SOME HISTORY:
In the early 2000’s, when SAG-PPHP agreed to cover Screen Actors Guild staff, the union was bleeding money as a result of rapidly expanding staff benefit costs. At the time, staff benefits were provided through private insurers at significant cost to the union’s general treasury. That means it was OUR dues money paying for it. So it was a tremendous benefit to members when SAG-PPHP agreed to include this small group of additional participants (literally 1% of pensioners and 2% of health plan participants), thereby reducing substantially the amount of member dues money that the union had to spend to pay for staff benefits. This freed up money for our union to focus on members.

All of this happened under different (previous) union leadership but still, the changes to staff benefits had to be accepted by the then-current employees of SAG, including by the many internal unions that represent our staff across the country. There were commitments made to our employees about their benefits at that time and in the future. Accordingly, the pension benefit, including such things as the accrual rate for staff, cannot simply be yanked away. The union trustees surely understand the complexity of this issue and we should all understand the tremendous benefit to members to have great benefits for our staff at limited cost to the union and minimal costs to the Plans.

IMPORTANTLY, having good benefits for our employees has helped us stop Producers from poaching our best staff and has SAVED our union money. In the past 5 years, Netflix, CBS, NBC and others have lured our staff away – after we spent time and money to train them in the business – with higher salaries, big bonuses and company stock. This is not good for members and we don’t want to go back to being the training camp for future studio executives. Having an excellent benefits package for our staff – the people who negotiate and enforce your contracts, protect and distribute your residuals and look out for you in myriad other ways – helps us retain them in the face of competition from studios, advertisers, law firms and other companies. If the union reduces their benefits, then it will have to offset that loss with higher salaries – salaries that come directly out of your dues money. In other words, it will cost members more money.

KEEP IN MIND:
Staff are our representatives, negotiators and contract enforcers. They’re prohibited from competing for our jobs, they don't earn residuals or royalties, and they could make twice as much money working against us at a studio or network. It is absolutely paramount that we attract and retain the best possible staff to fight day in and day out on our behalf.

ACCRUAL RATES:
SAG took a big hit in 2008 by refusing to negotiate a new TV/Theatrical contract which lost SAG members over $100 million in pay raises and SAG Pension BENEFIT contributions. MF(the same people) were leading SAG. At that time both staff and members had the same accrual rate (3.5%).

The plans took an almost catastrophic hit due to a plunge in contributions from losing TV to AFTRA, in addition to the implosion of the financial markets. In order to keep the plans on stable footing, the Trustees elected to lower members’ accrual rate to 2% with the long-term goal of raising it back to 3.5%.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE NEW NETFLIX DEAL?

This deal brought members great gains as well as leverage against the AMPTP for the upcoming TV/Theatrical negotiation.

The terms of the agreement were all drawn from the long wish list of member proposals over the last couple of years:

  • Created scale minimums for everything it produces—regardless of budget! That means no more $400/day offers from Netflix projects
  • Better theatrical residuals
  • Incorporates episodic/tv residual structure from last AMPTP negotiations which was a huge gain on the residual structure that was in existence before that
  • Covers performance capture
  • Substantially better exclusivity and options terms for performers
  • Sexual harassment protections in the contract

The proposed agreement was then brought to the TV/TH standing committee which had the authority to reject and send it back or to discuss and vote on. They discussed the deal at length and then passed it overwhelmingly.

The committee then sent it the National Board with a recommendation to approve.

The National Board passed the deal overwhelmingly. NO ONE MADE A MOTION, nor asked for it to go out to the membership, which they could have done at any time.

Does it need to be sent out to the membership?
Per the SAG-AFTRA constitution, large, multi-employer contracts like commercials and the TV/TH contract automatically go out to the membership.

Single employer contracts, like this new contract with Netflix, do not have to be unless the board determines they should.

Want to learn more?

There were excellent write-ups in the following magazines:

LA Business Journal

The Hollywood Reporter

WHAT'S THE STATUS OF NEW MEDIA RESIDUALS?

Contrary to statements about residuals disappearing, UFS is leading the way in improving our residuals structure in HBSVOD.

The truth is complicated, but it’s important to note that with the markets evolving (fewer network reruns, etc.) we are focused on improving residuals in the areas where we see dramatic growth; like HBSVOD, where a show may live for years.

In 2017 we successfully improved the Episodic/TV streaming residual formula by over 300% and an additional 25 - 45% in 2020.

CAN SAG-AFTRA CONTROL THE PENSION AND HEALTH PLANS?

In short, no.

The Pension and Health plans are entirely separate from SAG-AFTRA.

50% of the trustees on all three plans (SAG-AFTRA HEALTH, SAG Pension and AFTRA Retirement) are union appointed. Management (AMPTP, JPC) has the other 50%, which means agreements have to be made between both sides to make changes to the plans.

In other words, the union trustees and management trustees must negotiate changes to these plans: they are not unilaterally decided solely by the union’s trustees.

The national board appoints our union-side trustees through nomination and voting. The names of the trustees are on each of the different plan pages under the “about” tabs.

Being a trustee requires the member to accept personal financial responsibility for any malfeasance to these plans: it is not a responsibility to be taken lightly, which speaks volumes for the integrity that comprises our trustees.

We have past presidents, past secretary-treasurers, past officers, members-at-large and a couple of executive staff on our trustee side.

Trustees must also participate in continuing trustee education.

SHOULD SAG-AFTRA BUY OR RENT A BUILDING?

In order to purchase a building, we must first ensure that contract enforcement, contract negotiations, and a solid reserve fund are in place.

When MF was leading SAG, they put the union in a deep financial hole. After the merger with AFTRA, we have been slowly and steadily repairing the union’s finances and building a reserve fund so that we are prepared in the event of a strike.

SAG-AFTRA has completed initial research and found that there are no buildings currently available that are big enough, affordable enough, and offer easy accessibility to the membership to house our headquarters.

SAG-AFTRA will continue to evaluate the feasibility of purchasing a building, but in the meantime our current lease is below the market rate and a responsible expenditure of our funds.

It is centrally located, close to the studios, and easily accessible to a substantial portion of the membership.

SAG-AFTRA is a nationwide union with 25 locals and offices throughout the country.

HOW IS UFS LEADING ON THE ISSUE OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT?

We are very proud of the work that we have been doing on this extremely important issue.

The work is ongoing, but the SAG-AFTRA website actually lists some of the many examples of what the union is doing to lead the way:

  • Expanded our existing 24/7 safety hotline to include a specialized trauma line staffed by clinicians for those working in our jurisdiction who are experiencing, or who have suffered, sexual harassment or assault.
  • Provided customized in-person training for over 100 first and rapid-responder staff across the organization which included specialized assessment and intervention training for field reps.
  • Achieved new provisions in our Commercials and Network Television Code contracts including explicit personal harassment protections and the end of auditions in hotels and private residences.
  • Held dozens of education and empowerment events in LA, NYC, Chicago, Georgia, Atlanta, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Oklahoma, Detroit, and other locations.
  • Hired expert staff on both coasts for intake and case management of harassment and discrimination complaints.
  • Introduced a dedicated service offering confidential crisis and short-term supportive counseling, education on individual rights and legal avenues, referrals to related resources and, when needed, referrals for other clinical services. Created through a collaborative effort of SAG-AFTRA, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, and the Actors Fund, which administers the program.
  • Advocated for the passage of crucial legislation that enhances and strengthens sexual harassment city and state laws in California, New York, Hawaii and elsewhere.
  • Sustained significant public policy efforts to go after tools of silence, expand the statute of limitations, allow independent contractors to sue, etc.
  • Sponsored and supported legislation that bans image-based sexual abuse. Specifically, two current bills that go after nonconsensual digitized nudity and sex scenes (the modern day body doubling violation).
  • Focused attention through the SAG-AFTRA podcast premiere episode: “Sexual Harassment, Have We Reached a Turning Point” and another in the first season: “Who Controls Your Rights: From Deepfakes to Resurrecting the Dead.”
  • Continued work with the International Federation of Actors (FIA) Sexual Harassment Work Group in developing a global code of conduct and guidelines to protect actors wherever they work.
  • Released the SAG-AFTRA Code of Conduct to the Actors Guild of India for their use as a template in developing sexual harassment provisions and industry standards for performers and others workers in the massive Indian film and television production business.
  • Continued our collaboration with AFL-CIO leadership and affiliated partners to create best-practice recommendations for the protection of workers across industries and geographies.
  • Advocated for global protections at the FIA executive conference in Tokyo, Japan. President and NED appeared on an expert panel on best practices in preventing sexual harassment. The conference, sponsored by the Japan Actors Union, hosted several hundred guests including ranking representatives from government, the entertainment industry, and performing artists organizations.

Full list available on the SAG-AFTRA website: https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-harassment-initiative-faq-0

WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN RESPECT TO LOW-BUDGET AND MEMBER-PRODUCED CONTENT?

We have recently promulgated a new Low Budget, platform agnostic approach to low budget production. It includes substantial pay raises for members and wages indexed to our master contract. 

The SPA (Short Project Agreement) gives member producers more flexibility in shooting low budget projects without leaping through too many hoops.

The signatory process still needs improvement and remains something we are focused on to make it more responsive and communicative to both producers and members.

USAN VOTER GUIDE

ABOUT USAN

USAN Leadership

ONE UNION

 

Merger was just the beginning. While USAN has always been for merger and one union, we hardly feel our work is done. Whether you are an actor, broadcaster, singer, dancer, stunt performer or recording artist, we will put your voice in the boardroom. Our USAN candidates from President to Board Members to Delegates are your voice in your union.

We are members from all walks of life representing both ends of the earning scale (along with the struggles) and everywhere in between. We are both vested as well as working toward that goal. Some of us struggle to qualify for health care, which never seems to get easier. We are a coalition of SAG-AFTRA members, and while we originated in NY, we have supported and included candidates from every local across the country who care deeply about this union and their careers. We are members who depend on SAG-AFTRA contracts to feed our families, pay our rent or mortgages, and provide health care coverage. We will do whatever it takes to preserve our ability to do so.
In other words-WE ARE YOU!
 

Here’s what you get with USAN candidates:

  • Responsible and progressive leadership with integrity. USAN understands that our TRUE adversaries are the multinational corporations that we negotiate with for every contract, not each other.
  • Complete transparency with the membership. USAN believes in a union that communicates honestly with its membership.
  • A diversity of working professionals working for you – to bring you more opportunities to keep you working, to keep SAG-AFTRA strong, and to be the model for other unions in this country and around the world.
 

We are dedicated to:

  • Being a powerful advocate for anyone who works in front of a camera or behind a microphone.
  • Strengthening ties with organized labor especially our sister entertainment unions to enhance our bargaining power.
  • A true national and united SAG-AFTRA, where all the voices in all categories in all locals are seen, heard and counted.
  • Bringing more work back to the U.S. with real-world solutions.
  • Finding creative approaches to organizing new work across the country.
  • Fighting the encroachment of non-union work.
  • Franchising and regulating our agents.
  • Stabilizing SAG-AFTRA’s long-term fiscal health.
  • Working with our foundations to increase our career programming, scholarships, health and emergency assistance and provide opportunities through our on camera, voiceover and computer labs for members.
  • Creating legislative tax initiatives to grow work in New York and keep more of your money in your pocket.
  
USAN is dedicated to protecting everyone who works in front of a camera or microphone. Founded in Screen Actors Guild as United Screen Actors Nationwide, our new mission is to Unite SAG-AFTRA Nationwide. USAN representatives work in every area of the entertainment and media industries and are committed to securing the strongest wages and working conditions for SAG-AFTRA members across all media.

About USAN Leadership

USAN Leadership

ONE UNION.

Merger was just the beginning. While USAN has always been for merger and one union, we hardly feel our work is done. Whether you are an actor, broadcaster, singer, dancer, stunt performer or recording artist, we will put your voice in the boardroom. Our USAN candidates from President to Board Members to Delegates are your voice in your union.

We are members from all walks of life representing both ends of the earning scale (along with the struggles) and everywhere in between. We are both vested as well as working toward that goal. Some of us struggle to qualify for health care, which never seems to get easier. We are a coalition of SAG-AFTRA members, and while we originated in NY, we have supported and included candidates from every local across the country who care deeply about this union and their careers. We are members who depend on SAG-AFTRA contracts to feed our families, pay our rent or mortgages, and provide health care coverage. We will do whatever it takes to preserve our ability to do so.

In other words-WE ARE YOU!

Here’s what you get with USAN candidates:

  • Responsible and progressive leadership with integrity. USAN understands that our TRUE adversaries are the multinational corporations that we negotiate with for every contract, not each other.
  • Complete transparency with the membership. USAN believes in a union that communicates honestly with its membership.
  • A diversity of working professionals working for you – to bring you more opportunities to keep you working, to keep SAG-AFTRA strong, and to be the model for other unions in this country and around the world.

We are dedicated to:

  • Being a powerful advocate for anyone who works in front of a camera or behind a microphone.
  • Strengthening ties with organized labor especially our sister entertainment unions to enhance our bargaining power.
  • A true national and united SAG-AFTRA, where all the voices in all categories in all locals are seen, heard and counted.
  • Bringing more work back to the U.S. with real world solutions.
  • Finding creative approaches to organizing new work across the country.
  • Fighting the encroachment of non-union work.
  • Franchising and regulating our agents.
  • Stabilizing SAG-AFTRA’s long term fiscal health.
  • Working with our foundations to increase our career programming, scholarships, health and emergency assistance and provide opportunities through our on camera, voiceover and computer labs for members.
  • Creating legislative tax initiatives to grow work in New York and keep more of your money in your pocket.

USAN is dedicated to protecting everyone who works in front of a camera or microphone. Founded in Screen Actors Guild as United Screen Actors Nationwide, our new mission is to Unite SAG-AFTRA Nationwide. USAN representatives work in every area of the entertainment and media industries and are committed to securing the strongest wages and working conditions for SAG-AFTRA members across all media.

MORE WORK
MORE MONEY
SECURE BENEFITS
PROVEN LEADERSHIP

USAN — A TRACK RECORD OF PROVEN RESULTS

  • Merged the unions
  • Negotiated over 1 billion additional dollars in game-changing contracts like the 2019 Commercials contract, Netflix, and Video Games
  • Secured and protected NY Tax Incentives
  • Strong pensions in the green zone
  • Won the BBH Strike
  • Organized Telemundo — the first TV network to unionize in 65 years
  • Achieved dancer and background coverage in Music Videos
  • Achieved Performance Capture coverage in the Netflix deal
  • Confronted sexual harassment through legislation and contract improvements, resulting in the only industry-wide 24/7 hotline and use of intimacy coordinators
  • Total member earnings at an all-time high

USAN LEADERSHIP WILL:

  • Continue to strengthen contracts and increase residuals
  • Improve contract enforcement and fight unfair exclusivity
  • Bring even more commercial producers back to our contracts
  • Continue to protect our pensions
  • Advocate for stunt safety, better travel, and turnaround protections
  • Fight to Increase background pay and opportunities
  • Organize new broadcast stations
  • Champion diversity and inclusion
  • Keep improving our low budget contracts & streamline the signatory process
  • Push to restore performers ability to deduct commissions and safeguard against future unintentional tax increases
  • Continue to keep SAG-AFTRA financially stable with surpluses building our reserves

USAN LEADERSHIP

In Memory of Mike Hodge

IN MEMORIAM

Mike Hodge

 (1947-2017) 

Dear Friends:

Last night we lost our friend and colleague—the fearless leader of our New York Local.

Mike Hodge was a powerful unionist, a remarkable leader, and more than anything a great friend, colleague and mentor. He led our local through several challenging years and into the momentous merger. He built on that powerful foundation to bring cohesion and stability to our local and helped build the industry economy on which New York members’ careers now thrive. His vision and leadership made us stronger and justifiably prouder. Alongside the pain of losing Mike, I urge us all to remember his extraordinary achievements on behalf of SAG-AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild before it.

For me, and I am sure for many of you who were his closest friends, this is particularly heartbreaking as we have lost not just a president, but a father figure and a big brother. Mike was a towering presence whose kindness and good nature made each of us better.

I have been in contact with his family and will share information on services and other details as soon as that is appropriate.
For now, please join me in wishing our dear Mike a fond farewell and a good journey.

Onward together,

Rebecca Damon

PAST RELEASES

GABRIELLE CARTERIS TO SEEK RE-ELECTION AS SAG-AFTRA PRESIDENT
JASON GEORGE WILL RUN FOR SECRETARY-TREASURER
Candidates endorsed by Unite for Strength and USAN Leadership
for 2017 SAG-AFTRA Elections

Los Angeles and New York, (July 12, 2017) – SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris will seek re-election as the union’s top national officer. Long time National Board Member and chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee Jason George will join Carteris for secretary-treasurer. UFS and USAN will also field slates of candidates vying for open positions as national and local board members and as delegates to the third SAG-AFTRA National Convention, to be held in Los Angeles in October. Election ballots will be mailed to members on July 25th and will be tabulated on August 24th

Joining Unite for Strength and USAN Leadership in endorsing Carteris and George are Octavia Spencer, Alec Baldwin, Rita Moreno, Jane LynchNoah Wyle, Margo Martindale, Rhea Perlman, Regina King, Michael Cudlitz, Keith David, John ChoPhylicia Rashad, Robert Patrick, Stephen Lang and Luke Perry. Also endorsing Carteris and George are numerous elected SAG-AFTRA leaders from all 25 locals and National Officers, including Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon, National Vice President, Los Angeles Clyde Kusatsu, New York President Mike Hodge, National Vice President, Small Locals David Hartley-Margolin, National Vice President, Actors/Performers Samantha Mathis, National Vice President, Broadcasters Catherine Brown and National Vice President, Recording Artists Dan Navarro.

“It has been my great honor to serve as your president, pressing forward and leading the vital work of SAG-AFTRA, the world’s most powerful entertainment union. We must be responsive to our members’ needs, whatever the platform, whatever their work, wherever they live. Whether it’s negotiating new contracts, organizing Telemundo, standing up for a fair Interactive agreement, or keeping our ages off of IMDb, the work of SAG-AFTRA never stops,” said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. The star of Beverly Hills, 90210 continued, “Our employers are enjoying record breaking profits and it is vital that we earn our fair share and retain the ability to make a living. I pledge to continue devoting my time, energy and passion to fight for SAG-AFTRA members.”

Grey’s Anatomy star Jason George stated, “President Gabrielle Carteris has been a friend and colleague in the boardroom since the early days of our work to unite SAG and AFTRA. I am excited at the prospect of serving with her as Secretary-Treasurer and further strengthening SAG-AFTRA,” George elaborated, “In addition to safeguarding our union’s fiscal security, I will prepare SAG-AFTRA for our rapidly-evolving industry by focusing on enforcement and digital innovations that reduce costly mistakes and improve timely and accurate payments to our members.”

Academy, Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA Awards winner Octavia Spencer remarked, “I am proud to support Gabrielle Carteris for re-election as SAG-AFTRA President. Gabrielle is a fierce, intelligent leader and a passionate advocate for all of our members,” Spencer added, “She, along with Jason George as Secretary-Treasurer and everyone from Unite For Strength and USAN, represent the kind of progressive, dynamic leadership our union needs and our members deserve.”

Oscar, Emmy, Tony, Grammy and SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award winner Rita Moreno said, “Gabrielle Carteris has done an extraordinary job as President of SAG-AFTRA. She and Jason George embody the strength, intelligence and compassion that are the earmarks of great leaders. They, along with Unite for Strength and USAN, have my absolute support.”

Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Awards winner Jane Lynch commented, “Leading SAG-AFTRA is no joke. Performers count on their union to protect their livelihoods in this volatile business. I trust Gabrielle Carteris and her team to continue fighting and delivering real victories.”

SAG Award winner Noah Wyle spoke of Carteris, “I wholeheartedly support the re-election of President Gabrielle Carteris. She has proven herself as an extraordinary leader in the midst of rapidly shifting industry challenges,” The E.R. alum further stated, “Jason George has the intelligence, judgement and union service experience to make an exceptional National Secretary-Treasurer. Leading us to merger and progressing beyond, Unite for Strength and USAN steer us to the strongest, most responsive SAG-AFTRA possible.”

Emmy winner Margo Martindale agreed, “I have always said our union will be stronger after merger. And now thanks to President Gabrielle Carteris, Jason George, NY President Mike Hodge and the USAN/UFS team we have the proof—a newly negotiated contract that is $56 million richer than the last,” The star of The Americans and Cars 3 concluded, “We made the right choice.”

Star of The Walking Dead and Southland Michael Cudlitz stated, “I am proud to support Gabrielle Carteris for SAG-AFTRA president. I’ve known Gabrielle for over 25 years and I’ve seen her fight for performers’ rights first hand. Her commitment and courage are second to none. She has an all encompassing understanding and knowledge of the contracts and issues that really matter to actors on sets. However, more than her knowledge and experience, is this: Gabrielle cares. Her only wish is to enrich and support her fellow performers and I am confident she will continue to do an excellent job.”

Emmy winner Keith David also endorsed Carteris and George, sharing, “Gabrielle Carteris has been working on behalf of us all and making SAG-AFTRA a stronger union. The result of her tenacity speaks for itself, one of many reasons to support her re-election. With people like Gabrielle, Jason George running for Secretary-Treasurer and their team running for the board, I believe this is the group we need to move forward, trusting that our best interests are being cared for.”

John Cho of Star Trek fame noted, “I’m proud to support the visionary leadership of Gabrielle Carteris and Jason George. I’ve been impressed by their dedication to the needs of our members and their understanding of the value of inclusivity and diversity. They stand on their principles and don’t hesitate to put themselves on the line.”

Image Award winner Phylicia Rashad offered “Join me in voting for Gabrielle Carteris, Mike Hodge & the entire team. They are the model of inclusion and truly represent our diverse membership across the board — their leadership, experience and vision are key to moving SAG-AFTRA forward.”

Robert Patrick of Terminator 2 and Scorpion emphasized, “As President, Gabrielle Carteris combines wisdom, grit and compassion – we’ve already reaped enormous benefits from her leadership. Jason George is a solid professional with the business savvy and union dedication to be a terrific Secretary-Treasurer. Carteris and George, along with their Unite for Strength and USAN colleagues are a winning combination – a win for all members.”

Star of Avatar Stephen Lang stated, “Join me in supporting Gabrielle Carteris, Jason George, Mike Hodge and the USAN/UFS team. They have been a force in SAG-AFTRA.”

SAG-AFTRA Broadcast Steering Committee Chair Joe Krebs reflected, “Simply put, we are extremely lucky to have her! Gabrielle Carteris is an extraordinary leader – caring, concerned, and committed to each and every SAG-AFTRA member. I’ve seen her commitment to broadcasters by her participation in our Broadcast Steering Committee meetings and including us in all important discussions. I wholeheartedly endorse Gabrielle Carteris and Jason George for President and Secretary-Treasurer.”

Endorse Fran, Anthony, Ezra and the USAN Team

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