MINUTES
PITTSBURGH LOCAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
12 January 2004 

 

LOCATION: Steelworkers Building

 

In the absence of President Martino, Treasurer Roberts opened the meeting at 7:17 with a moment of silence, followed by a round-robin introduction.

MINUTES.

MOVED, seconded, and unanimously approved to table approval of the Minutes of the October Membership Meeting until the next. Membership Meeting.

FINANCE. (see separate report) Mr. Roberts provided a summary of finances, and noted that complete financial records are available to members, upon request.

MOVED, seconded, and unanimously approved to receive the Financial Report.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT (see separate report)

ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (FREELANCE) REPORT. (see separate report ) 

ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (MEMBERSHIP). No report.

NATIONAL REPORT. Ms. Chapek noted that she would attend a Joint AFTRA-SAG National Board meeting the weekend of January 16. Joint proposals for the Network TV Program contract negotiations are up for approval.

Members speculated on what action or discussion could be anticipated regarding further efforts to consolidate the two unions.

CONSERVATORY COMMITTEE and TALENT GUIDE COMMITTEE. Ms Wehr, Ms Sonnichsen, and Mr. Roberts reported on the upcoming programs to help members prepare head shots and voice demos for inclusion on the Local Talent Guide web site. A year’s inclusion on the web site will be offered as a free benefit to Local members beginning in March, and there will be a campaign to bring all working members (and all key Broadcast members, even if they do not or cannot perform freelance work) onto the site.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY LABOR COUNCIL. No one attended the September meeting.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS. None.

NEW BUSINESS. None.

GUEST SPEAKER. Mr. Haer now introduced guest speaker Marge Krueger, a staff member of the local Communications Workers of America. Ms Krueger brought information about the labor policies and practices of Comcast. Local union elections among several groups working for Comcast have had mixed results and in some cases are being legally challenged.

In response, one member said that there didn’t seem to be much individuals can do about the practices at Comcast. The company has what might be called a monopoly on cable service in the area, unless one chooses to install “the dish.” Ms Krueger said that spreading national awareness of Comcast policies could influence the corporation. People can also offer friendly words when they come in contact with individual Comcast workers, who are being offered both carrots and sticks by management in an effort to have the workforce reject union protection.

The meeting adjourned at 9:38, and was followed by socializing.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Susan Chapek, Secretary