| Los Angeles Board Candidates |
DAVID ANDRIOLE actor
LA Local Board
Since early in
the 90's, I've made my living as an actor, and have been a member of
both unions. Before that I was an attorney at a law firm here in
California, and I am a member of the California Bar Association still.
I've spent most of my adult life working as a journeyman actor (read
"scale actor") in TV, film, voice-overs, and commercials. I've watched
this business grow, and change, and morph in unforeseen ways over the
last 15 years, and I believe the industry now stands at a crossroads
which challenges us as individuals, and as union members, to discern
how we must grow and change with it. My concern about the shifting
paradigm of this Industry caused me to volunteer as a member of the
AFTRA Negotiation Committee for the 2008 Prime Time Contract. I
believe we negotiated a very good contract that accomplished all that
it could at the time it was agreed upon, and all that it needed to in
order to set the foundation for our next round of contract negotiations
in 2011. But I also believe that we must begin to prepare for that
2011 negotiation immediately. The terms of our contracts are
convoluted and confusing. And the issues we face are complex in this
changing culture in which people expect to watch whatever they want,
whenever and however they choose. I also believe that it is
essential that we face these challenges together, as members of a
single, undivided Union. This is not to say that dissent is unwelcome
or unhelpful. But, over the last 18 months, I have watched firsthand,
and with great shock, the political infighting that has consumed SAG,
and now, as a result, both unions, and which has been an extreme
disservice to our total membership. It is imperative that our union
leadership stop fighting for its own power grabs, and start addressing
how to best serve our membership through intelligent reasoning, rather
than unreasoned emotionalism. There are those who will argue
that merger of AFTRA and SAG is too complex and difficult to achieve
successfully – these are the same people who have said in past years
that they believe in merger, “just not this merger”. I believe they
are very wrong, and that they resist a change that is now critical to
our survival. I think I can be helpful in shaping the course we take
from here, and I'm willing to volunteer my time and try.
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PEPE BARRETO newsperson
LA Local Board
I am asking for your vote to be elected to the Los Angeles AFTRA Board of Directors. It would be a privilege to continue serving the union I joined back in 1978. I would like to put to good use my experience as a Radio announcer and TV reporter, in these challenging times of new media and changes. I also want to help my union to reach out to those talents who are not members yet to enjoy the protection and benefits that AFTRA provides to the workers in this industry. Thank you for helping me to serve.
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DAVID BOWE actor
LA Local Board
I've been a proud Los
Angeles Board member for the last three years. I've learned a great
deal about our union and how important it is to have a board that is
made up of performers that work our contracts and make a living doing
so. I'm one of those members. I've just finished representing AFTRA in
the joint negotiations of our commercials contract. I would be
delighted to continue representing our union and you in years to come.
In these tough economic times we need to think about the present as
well as our future. Thank you.
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SUSAN BOYD JOYCE singer
LA Local Board
The LA Local Board has been slowly transformed over the last decade into a cohesive, collegial group of working stakeholders in the present and future of AFTRA. The board contains all categories of performers who know the contracts because they do the work. I take pride in representing the interests and knowing the working conditions of all the people in our local, on and off camera. There is a lot to do to restore local radio and grow jobs for our broadcasters; to keep union standards high and organize new work. We are a generation of ‘hyphenates’ – we perform across the media spectrum. There is no place in the boardroom for aggressive ignorance. People whose only interest is in tearing at the foundations of AFTRA need not apply.
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RAZA BURGEE actor
LA Local Board
Health
Coverage and Retirement are key employment motivating elements.
"Different World, Homeland Security." In today's economy a need to
listen to you, not dictate, is key to good service. We must understand
NEW MEDIA CONTRACTS, changing Technology. I moderated the first PWD
CBS Showcase. I've actively supported Merger, C and A, Interactive, Voiceover,
Animation, Stunts, Background increases, Spanish Language, Seniors,
Basic Cable, Sound Recordings, Broadcasters, Universal Healthcare. I've
served on EEO/Diversity Committees, W&W, and was a Negotiating Team
Alternate in 2004. I created and Chaired the AFTRA EEO Committee "A
Night With". I am a member of the LA Executive Committee, Nosotros,
NALIP, and Visual Communications. I am a delegate to the California
Labor Federation; I've also supported WGA, Commercials, Grocery
Strikers, CWA, FTAC. Opposed Governor's Healthcare propositions. I AM
DEPENDABLE.
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ANDREW CAPLE-SHAW actor
LA Local Board
The landscape of the entertainment industry is changing. Original cable shows, digital series, and TV on demand are booming — this is just the beginning. My career as an actor echoes this shift. I joined AFTRA before I joined SAG because I got my start doing scripted programming for networks like MTV. We need to be aggressive in turning the markets of tomorrow union and we need to make sure that when shows in those markets start making money we have a piece of the action. Times are a changin’ and I’m going to help AFTRA stay one step ahead.
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GABRIELLE CARTERIS actor
2nd Vice President, National and Local Boards
I
have been a member of both AFTRA/SAG for over 20 years, working on
contracts from TV series (90210) to Soaps, Commercials, Animation,
etc. As a National and Local AFTRA Board member these last three years
I've been working on the Negotiating Committees of Net Code, Primetime
and Commercials. It’s a very challenging time in our industry,
negotiating contracts which keep our performers working while improving
wages, health and retirement, and securing jurisdiction. Working
together with our sister union, as the landscape of our industry
becomes more and more diverse, is absolutely necessary to our making a
living as performers and keeping our unions powerful. I am committed to
our membership and promise to keep us strong and working towards our
future as it continues to grow and change.
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MIMI COZZENS actor
LA Local Board
I've been an AFTRA member since ‘65, SAG since ‘50 and AEA since ’60. I'm fully vested in all three unions and would like to see all members achieve that same status. I've served on the Nominating Committees of both AFTRA and AEA. Now that I no longer try to straddle both coasts and reside in LA permanently I am in a position to give back to the unions that have supported me all these years. Merger of AFTRA & SAG would eliminate jurisdiction conflicts, enabling a stronger entity to provide for its members. I wish to serve, I ask for your vote. www.mimicozzens.com
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SANDRA DE BRUIN actor
LA Local Board
AFTRA's
ability to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the AMPTP proves that
it's a Union to be reckoned with and I'm proud to have been a member
for over 20 years. In the past I have served on numerous SAG
committees - Contract Negotiations, Casting, etc. Having co-founded
the SAG Agent Relations Committee that finally brought agents and
actors together, I'd like to work the same way to unite AFTRA and SAG
so that all entertainers are treated equally and our dues money
benefits us, not the egos of Board and Administrative officials.
United we stand stronger.
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GALEN HOOKS dancer
LA Local Board
I have been working as a dancer for over 10 years and have dedicated the last several years to fighting for improvements in the dance community. I am proud of my relationship with AFTRA and would be honored to serve on the Board in order to build on the progress we've made thus far.
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BOB JOLES actor
LA Local Board
I've served on the 2009 Joint AFTRA/SAG Commercials Contract
Committee. 2008 Joint AFTRA/SAG Commercials Contract Wages and Working
Conditions Committee. I've been working for the last six months to
bring in a good contract for commercials. I have served on the
Hollywood AFTRA Board for almost two years and would be grateful for
your vote so I can continue working and serving you.
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KATE LINDER actor
LA Local Board
As a working actor in Daytime Television for the past 24 years, I have experienced drastic changes affecting AFTRA. I have been active in several areas of AFTRA to bring the impact of these changes to the table. As a current Governor of Daytime, ATAS, I am involved in planning for the future of television and the many changes that require our immediate attention in order to preserve ATAS and AFTRA. Many of these changes will require consolidation of effort and creative solutions if we are to survive the rapid evolution of technology and maintain the related rights of performers.
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JAMES SCHNEIDER actor
LA Local Board
I'm New to L.A. but not to service. Seated on National I.T. Committee since 2002. Sat on SAG equivalent, too. Chicago: 3 time Convention Delegate; Local Board Member, Local 2d VP, Local 1st VP (2001-2006). Launched and Chaired Chicago Local New Tech Committee. Served SAG Chicago Branch Council, 2001-2006. I believe all our unions and guilds are best served working together. I believe that an imperfect contract is better than no contract; that the public’s change in viewing/consuming habits is an opportunity, not a mysterious illness. We fail when we fight each other. We fly when we listen and work together.
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MARCIA STRASSMAN actor
LA Local Board
As a member of AFTRA, at least since 1975 when I got my first series playing Julie Kotter on Welcome Back Kotter until the present, I have always had great pride in being a member of AFTRA. I started acting as a kid in NY where I got my Equity card in 1963, and my SAG card in 1964, and I've been very lucky to have to continued to work under all three unions since then. From Mash to Kotter, to the eponymous "Honey" in Honey I Shrunk the Kids, I have always loved and had great pride in being able to call myself "an actor". I've been a member of the board of SAG and think I can bring a fresh view to the board of AFTRA. This election in particular is probably the most important one we've had in many years and I'm very excited at the prospect of being able to serve our community of actors.
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MIKE SAKELLARIDES announcer
LA Local Board
ACHIEVEMENTS
Helped defeat KFI de-certify movement, 2007.
Helped KOST air staff win better contract, 2008.
HISTORY
Joined L.A. AFTRA,1976.
Shop Steward, KZLA, 1980-1982.
KFI-KOST contracts, 1982 to 2007.
Appointed to L.A. Board in February, elected May 2006.
Attended every L.A. board meeting except one; all General Membership meetings since 2006.
LOCAL SERVICE
AFTRA L.A. Nominating Committee Member, 2007
Phone-bank volunteer for Primetime TV Contract, 2008.
2008 AFTRA L.A. Election Procedures Review Committee.
Speaker, Actors Fund youth seminar, 2008.
Panel Moderator, Alzheimer’s Member Education, 2009.
NATIONAL SERVICE
2006 AFTRA National Convention, L.A.
2007 Philadelphia’s 70th Anniversary Convention.
2008 Representative, AFTRA National Plenary, L.A.
At AFTRA's Broadcasters’ caucus I asserted: future radio station contracts must include minimum staff numbers, or staffs could be decimated. I supported 2008 Primetime TV Contract in AFTRA leaflets.I served as an alternate to the AFTRA-SAG Joint National Board Commercials Contract Meeting, Feb. 2009. I know local radio contracts and help other L.A. Board performers understand the industry. I spoke against deregulation before FCC, 2006. Radio Staff Announcers are being cut. I encourage re-training in new media, voice-over, acting. I heartily support the “I AM PWD” (Performers with Disabilities) program. I voted twice for merger, and believe in ‘the big tent.’ I supported joint AFTRA-SAG Commercial negotiations.
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CHUCK SOUTHCOTT announcer
LA Local Board
I’ve been an AFTRA member working in Los Angeles radio since the 1960s as an announcer, disc jockey, newscaster and program director at KMPC, KPRZ, KGIL KJQI and KKJZ - plus national and worldwide syndication through Watermark, Westwood One and the Music of Your Life Network. I'm now serving as President of Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters and Vice President of the World Childhood Leukemia Council. I believe the voice artist’s best future rests with the powerful base that only an even stronger AFTRA can provide. My goal is to help obtain just that.
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DICK WELLS singer
LA Local Board
Thank you for allowing me to represent you on the L.A. local board last year. I want to let you know what I will advocate on your behalf if elected again. We need to: 1) make merger happen, 2) continue to seek fair contracts for performers, 3) continue to administrate our budget frugally and effectively, 4) equip, encourage and connect our members through educational and community building activities, & 5) build more bridges to those who employ us and those who should join our membership.
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