AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM AFTRA NEW YORK LOCAL PRESIDENT HOLTER GRAHAM

On Saturday, March 29, the National Board of AFTRA voted overwhelmingly to suspend Phase One and negotiate our upcoming industry contracts on our own. I was in the boardroom as a National Vice President and voted for the suspension in good conscience and--though with heavy heart--with a sense of finally moving forward. AFTRA has been bogged down by internecine battles with a group of Hollywood SAG members and Staff in what should have been a non-destructive philosophical disagreement that has, unfortunately , ground both unions almost to a halt and threatened to deeply impact our ability to earn our livings.

In choosing to 'suspend' rather than 'terminate' Phase One, AFTRA was sending a message to all of our brothers and sisters in the Guild nationwide that we are eagerly waiting for the day when the trust that has been broken over the past year can be rebuilt. I was on the same flight as SAGNY President Sam Freed coming home last night and we discussed all of this with respect and camaraderie. 

AFTRA members should in no way feel that we are abandoning our SAG brethren--in fact, we feel that we are taking the painful but necessary measures required to protect ALL performers nationwide by realizing that it is time to concentrate all of our considerable abilities on getting and growing work for performers in this ever-changing media landscape.

In Solidarity,

Holter Graham
President, AFTRANY