I know so many of my actor friends are concerned right now about what is happening in the world for so many reasons. But one of the biggest concerns has to do with the complete shutdown of our work (we can’t exactly work from home as actors) and what protections we will have for the coming months. It is scary to not know when work could start again, especially when we already don’t know when we will book work. And some people are acting out in anger because of this fear.
Even if the union isn’t publicly announcing what they are working on, I want to share that they are working on helping us. Because the union is held to a certain standard and many things must be cleared by legal before they are made public, announcements don’t always happen until things are finalized. They are not taking time while working on things to confirm that they are working on it or updating the exact steps they are taking. But things are being done and that’s important to know.
The staff and unpaid leaders of our union are working overtime in service of our members. President Carteris is working 18hour days, on calls with people not just within the union and over at the health plan, but all the way up to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. (side note it still blows my mind that this is a volunteer position for Carteris. I understand the politics of why we don’t pay our president but holy wow)
Here is what they have achieved so far:
-EARLY ON, Gabrielle and staff secured permission from government officials to consider residuals processing “essential business”, so that that dept could stay open even though most of LA is on lockdown. In fact, residuals processing is being stepped UP, to ensure that members who earn residuals can keep getting paid ASAP. Staff members are coming into the office, at literal physical risk to themselves, to keep us getting paid. It’s wild and I can’t thank them enough.
-EARLY ON, The SAG-AFTRA Foundation declared the pandemic a disaster, lowering the requirements to qualify for assistance, then lowering them again, so that members could get help from the Foundation, even before the government checks that will someday be on their way. People who’ve applied for Foundation assistance have already started to receive it. You can apply right now.
-As far as government assistance, there is a lot in the bill that just passed the Senate (and will likely pass the house) that is designed specifically for people like the members of SAG-AFTRA, ie people whose jobs are sporadic, with multiple employers every year, etc. That language is in there specifically because of daily lobbying by President Carteris with people like Kamala, Pelosi, Schiff, etc. Even after this bill, those conversations with reps in DC will continue.
-We have set up a portion of sagaftra.org to answer questions regarding COVID19 and direct members to relevant financial and medical resources.
-At the union’s urging, the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan recently secured telemedicine coverage from Beacon, so that members can get mental health treatment virtually.
There is more to come. To cover that, allow me to answer some FAQs with as much info as I am allowed to so far.
Q: Can I apply for Unemployment in CA even though I wasn’t “fired” since that’s not how Hollywood works?
A: Yes. List Coronavirus as the reason for being out of work and you will qualify.
Q: What is the deal with my health insurance? Can President Carteris extend it?
A: The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan is NOT run by the union. It is a separate organization. Some union members are on their board, but the Health Plan is a company with a board that is legally required to keep it solvent, and its finances were already quite stressed. What I can say is that it’s already committed to covering all COVID19 testing, and its board is exploring every avenue to try to make coverage available to as many members as possible for as long as possible. Expect much more on this in the coming weeks.
Q: Will we still have to pay our dues?
A: We are trying to figure out how to provide some sort of dues relief to members. It is unclear what that might look like, and it wouldn’t be prudent of me to discuss specifics of various proposals, but rest assured that there are several, and they are being seriously considered.
Q: I was hired as a guest star and then production shut down. Will I still get paid?
A: Yes. The only people for whom this could be complicated are series regs. I don’t have any more info on that.
Q: I read an article about how the SAG-AFTRA National Board is granting special governing powers to different board or something? What’s up with that?
A: 38 members of The National Board, an enormous 80-person body, comprise the National Board’s “Executive Committee”. They are a diverse group geographically and ideologically, although obviously they all want what’s best for members. They have often made decisions for the NB. To streamline things during this crisis, The National Board voted to allow the EC to make all decisions for the NB. That said, any decisions they make that would previously be required to be approved by the membership at large will *still* have to be approved by the membership at large.
Q: I need help or information, where do I get help or information?
A: Go to sagaftra.org and click on the COVID19 link.
Q: What can I do? How can I pitch in? Help out in the residuals department? Bring food to the staff?
A: Most of LA is on lockdown. We know that, in the spirit of solidarity and community, many want to get involved and get your hands dirty, but as you may have heard, the best thing you can do is *stay home* and *keep your hands clean*. But while you’re home, there are two huge things you can do to help:
1. donate to or raise funds for your fellow actors at https://sagaftra.foundation/assistance/disasterrelief/, and
2. pay attention to the union’s emails — if you get asked to contact your representatives, DO IT. Honestly, the conversations President Carteris and others are having with Pelosi, Kamala, etc are important, but just as important are when congressional staffers hear from hundreds or thousands of you. It truly does make a difference.
On a personal note, I know you’re scared. I am too. And I know it’s hard to trust the leadership of this country at times. But don’t let that lack of trust transfer to our union’s elected leadership. Our leaders are mostly just actors like you and me, volunteering their time to make sure that all of us are taken care of. No one at the union could have anticipated a moment like this. But we’ve been thrust into it. We may make some mistakes. But we will always try to fix them. And hopefully, we will all make it through this. But the easiest way for us to do that is together. Let’s not forget that.
Please know that our union leaders are working on things for us. This is something that nobody has experienced before and there are so many new things that are being worked on and figured out right now. But as soon as the union can share news and updates, they will. It’s important to look at every email you get from the union because there is a lot of information shared in those.
This is a scary time, but I am so grateful that our union has some amazing people working on this for us right now. They know what our concerns are and they are doing everything they can to help us. We will get through this. We will be ok. We will be back to work one day.
