Chicago Activator - Dec. 29, 2015

Official E-Newsletter of the SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local

December 29, 2015

IN THIS ISSUE Chicago Tonight Votes SAG Awards Viewing Party WIFC Open House Volunteer at GCFD Feb. 5 Holiday Schedule

WTTW-TV Chicago Tonight Votes to Join SAG-AFTRA Details below.

WTTW-TV Chicago Tonight Votes to Join SAG-AFTRA On Dec. 18, producers on Chicago Tonight at WTTW-TV in Chicago voted overwhelmingly to join 160,000 media and entertainment professionals in choosing SAG-AFTRA as their union. Produced for broadcast and the Internet, Chicago Tonight is one of the most respected nightly news programs in Chicago. The full-time and part-time producers working on the show voted to become union members at a National Labor Relations Board election.

During their organizing campaign, the producers created a support petition for union recognition that they delivered to station management. The petition read, in part: "We are dedicated to the mission of WTTW in order to ensure the highest-quality content for the diverse communities of Chicago. We play a vital role in its success and we believe we should have meaningful input into our role in the program's future. We believe this can best be accomplished through a formal collective-bargaining process and by forming a union best represented by SAG-AFTRA." After management refused to recognize their petition of union support, SAG-AFTRA filed the petition with the National Labor Relations Board on Dec. 1, 2015.

The Chicago Tonight staff joins a large family of local Chicago news and broadcast members working under SAG-AFTRA contracts at more than 20 local radio and television stations.

Chicago SAG Awards Viewing Party Saturday, Jan. 30 5:30 p.m.: Reception 7 - 9 p.m.: SAG Awards Show Live Rockit Bar & Grill 22 W. Hubbard Chicago, IL rockitbarandgrill.com Light hors d'oeuvres Cash bar Prizes Casual attire Free to SAG-AFTRA members in good standing. Guests are $15 each, maximum of two guests per member. We will have a special section for our young performers, so all are encouraged to attend!

Space is limited. Please RSVP to kathy.byrne@sagaftra.org with the names of your guests.

We will be accepting new or slightly used socks for the Woolgathering Project, which was started by members Beth Lacke and the late Molly Glynn. Tapping into the generosity and warmth of our community, they began collecting socks for Chicago's homeless. Janelle Snow has joined Lacke to keep the dream going and growing. So, please bring some socks.

Special note: We are looking for an amateur photographer to take pictures during the event.

Please let us know if you are interested.

Screeners and For Your Consideration Offers For all details on For Your Consideration offers and voting, please visit sagawards.org/voting.

The SAG Awards will be simulcast live coast to coast on TNT and TBS on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 p.m. CT. An encore presentation will air on TNT at 9 p.m. CT. The stunt honors will be announced live from the red carpet on sagawards.tntdrama.com and people.com at 5:15 CT. Please watch.

For the latest on all things SAG Awards, follow the awards on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

If you have questions, please contact the SAG Awards at awardsinfo@sagawards.org.

Your vote is very important. Please remember, all ballots, whether submitted online or by mail, must be received by Integrity Voting Systems by noon PT on Friday, Jan. 29. Thank you for participating in this year's SAG Awards.

WIFC January Open House Women In Film Chicago welcomes its members, guests and industry friends for its first annual Open House. Catch up with old and new friends and learn about WIFC's brand-new programs for 2016.

Learn about and sign up for WIFC Roundtables, the new monthly meetups for producers, talent, directors, editors, screenwriters and documentary filmmakers. Be the first to hear about the new Power Breakfasts Series, the fall filmmaking weekend and screenings for WIF members. Sign up to volunteer for fun conferences, panels and more. Industry folks can learn about the many benefits of sponsoring and collaborating with WIFC. Date: Jan. 14 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Conspiracy, 170 N. Sangamon St., Suite 2, Chicago, IL The products and services noted herein are provided as an informational service to SAG-AFTRA members and are administered by entities independent of SAG-AFTRA. Any questions must be handled by the provider. This information is not intended to serve as an endorsement nor is any warranty or guarantee implied.

SAG-AFTRA to Volunteer at GCFD Feb. 5 The SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local is returning to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Join staff and members from 9 - 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5. The GCFD is at 4100 W. Ann Lurie Place in Chicago. This is near Midway Airport. Free parking is available.

We never know exactly what we'll be doing, but volunteer opportunities include repacking bulk products to individual/family sizes, assembling boxes with assorted food, checking expiration dates, labeling products, sorting products, etc. Participants must be at least 14 years old. The GCFD is a nonprofit food distribution and training center providing food for hungry people and striving to end hunger in our community. The GCFD distributes donated and purchased food through a network of 650 pantries, soup kitchens and shelters to 678,000 adults and children in Cook County every year.

This event is open to everyone. Please ask family and friends to join you. To volunteer, please RSVP to Linda Swenson at linda.swenson@sagaftra.org.

Holiday Schedule for Office and KMRC SAG-AFTRA Chicago Local and KMRC will be closed on Dec. 31 and Jan 1.

In response to members' requests to stay informed, The Activator may include notice of rallies, pickets and other actions by unions and the labor movement that have not been sanctioned by the National or Chicago Board of Directors of SAG-AFTRA. This information is provided as a convenience.

The information contained herein regarding workshops, vendors, special offers and the like is provided for informational purposes and is not intended to imply endorsement by SAG-AFTRA of them or the information, material, products or services provided. SAG-AFTRA makes no warranties or representations regarding the use of the material or the quality of the services or service providers.

SAG-AFTRA Chicago: (312) 573-8081 Email: chicago@sagaftra.org Website: SAGAFTRA.org