SAG-AFTRA New Mexico National board member report 2016

(SAG-AFTRA for New Mexico Report 2016)

Mel MacKaron - National Board Member and New Mexico Local 1st Vice President.

• "We are exploring the feasibility of direct deposit of residuals payments. Members are sometimes frustrated that it takes time to get their residuals, so this is desirable. However, making this transition is challenging."

• "A big priority right now is recapturing commercials. In New Mexico, we used to have a robust commercials market, and we are working to reestablish this. You can help by encouraging advertisers — local, regional and national — to hire SAG-AFTRA performers and to make them aware that in New Mexico they can get state rebate money for commercials, just as they can for television and theatrical productions."

• "Merger of the legacy SAG and AFTRA health and retirement plans. This has been a challenge and a priority since the two organizations merged four years ago, and we are now close to making it a reality as far as the health plans are concerned."

• "Membership, both locally and nationally, is growing at a higher-than-expected rate. This tells me that SAG-AFTRA is still the gold standard for actors, our validation as professionals."

• "We announced national committee appointments, which included New Mexico members, me among them, on several committees. (As a side note, I know New Mexico has many members of wide-ranging talents and expertise. Please consider joining both local and national committees.)"

• "Things are moving forward with the Commercials Contract Wages & Working Conditions process."

• "We announced a new music video agreement and several audiobooks agreements with some big players (a good opportunity for actors also working in the voiceover field). Also, contracts were negotiated with four stations (none of them in New Mexico) in the area of news and broadcast. Locally, we find it desirable to organize broadcasters, too, although there are significant obstacles we will need to overcome. That said, if you are working in that field, help us out."

• "Both the AFTRA H&R and SAG-Producers P&H are in good financial shape as we work toward merging these plans."

• "Finally, we are making concerted efforts in organizing, particularly in three areas: commercials, interactive and Spanish language."