I AM
PWD CAMPAIGN ENDORSED BY AFL-CIO CONVENTION
AFL-CIO Convention Delegates Pass Resolution 18 Endorsing the
I AM PWD Campaign of AEA, AFTRA and SAG
Pittsburgh (September 16, 2009) – I AM PWD — the Inclusion in the Arts and Media
for People with Disabilities campaign of Actors’ Equity Association, American
Federation of Television and Radio Artists and Screen Actors Guild — was today
endorsed by the 2009 AFL-CIO Convention delegates through Convention Resolution
18, entitled “Unions Should Give People with Disabilities a Voice and a Face.”
“It’s the dawn of a new day for workers with disabilities,” said I AM PWD
national chair and SAG/AFTRA/AEA member Robert David Hall, who appeared before
the more than 700 convention delegates to urge the passage of Resolution 18.
“We are overjoyed that our I AM PWD campaign has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO
Convention delegates, but even more meaningful is this loud show of support and
solidarity from our brothers and sisters in the national labor movement.”
AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker said, “The AFL-CIO is proud
of our progress toward diversity in our leadership, especially when it comes to
race, gender and sexual orientation, but the fact is that workers with
disabilities are not yet fully included in the life, work and leadership of our
labor movement. We took action today to begin to change that, and to work
toward full equality for people with disabilities in American life.” AFL-CIO
Convention Resolution 18 pledges, “The AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions
endorse and support the I AM PWD campaign and invite SAG, AFTRA and Equity to
share its lessons.”
Beyond its endorsement of the I AM PWD campaign, Resolution 18 also declares
the AFL-CIO’s intention to “make itself a model by including people with
disabilities in all discussions addressing diversity and by encouraging the labor
movement at all levels to do the same.”
About I AM PWD
I AM PWD is a global civil rights campaign seeking equal employment
opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the entertainment and
news media. I AM PWD was founded by members of Screen Actors Guild, AFTRA and
Actors’ Equity Association to bring media and public attention to the issues of
media access, inclusion and accuracy for people with disabilities. You can
visit I AM PWD online at IAMPWD.org <http://IAMPWD.org>
.
About SAG
Screen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing
working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American
labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts
in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution
sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches
nationwide, SAG represents nearly 120,000 actors who work in film and digital
television programs, motion pictures, commercials, video games, music videos,
industrials and all new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’
working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified
voice on behalf of artists’ rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO.
Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at SAG.org <http://SAG.org> .
About AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the
people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA
members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts,
comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries
including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos,
commercials, audiobooks, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the
Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers,
broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect
and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new
art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and
craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at http://www.aftra.com.
About AEA
Actors' Equity Association (AEA or "Equity"), founded in 1913,
represents more than 48,000 actors and stage managers in the United States.
Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an
essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working
conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension
plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO and is affiliated with FIA, an
international organization of performing arts unions.
Equity is governed by its own members through an elected Council, representing
principal actors, chorus actors and stage managers living in three regions:
Eastern, Central and Western. Members at large participate in Equity’s
governance through a system of regional boards and committees. Equity has 24
designated area liaison cities with over 100 members each. Visit us at
actorsequity.org <http://actorsequity.org>
.
Comments by JFAAN Employment Workgroup Chair, Tari Hartman Squire (9/23/09):
Last week’s 2009 AFL-CIO convention delegates adopted Resolution 18: “Unions Should Give People with Disabilities a Voice and a Face.”
This is a real policy breakthrough: Beyond its endorsement of the I AM PWD campaign, Resolution 18 also declares the AFL-CIO’s intention to “make itself a model by including people with disabilities in all discussions addressing diversity and by encouraging the labor movement at all levels to do the same.”
SAG was the first union in 1980 to add disability to the Affirmative Action and Non-Discrimination Clause of the 1980 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) in an effort to "more accurately portray the American scene."
That was 10 years BEFORE the ADA. Yet, a 2005 survey by SAG/UCLA Targan Center, 15 years AFTER the ADA revealed a dismal 2% of television portrayals included people with disabilities and less than .05% (less than one half of one percent) had speaking (or signing) roles.
As we know, in our four screen world (handheld, computer, TV and movie theatre) media images of people with disabilities has power to shatter myths and reinforce stereotypes. Entertainment is the one industry sector that exports images and attitudes - worldwide. Deep thanks to Robert David Hall, Ray Bradford, Adam Moore and the tireless efforts of many who brought this Resolution and I AM PWD to fruition, and in awakening brothers and sisters in the Labor Movement - Bravo!
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