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In this regular interview series, American Rights at Work spends some time off the clock with notable workers’ rights leaders, supporters, experts, and organizers. We’re big fans of actor Christopher Gorham and his memorable performances over the years on shows like Ugly Betty, Out of Practice, Jake 2.0, and Popular. He’s now starring on USA Network’s Covert Affairs as CIA analyst Auggie Anderson, returning tonight. Read our interview with Chris to learn more about this outspoken union member’s first union job, favorite labor film, and what he likes to do when he’s off the clock… Read more »        
This Labor Day weekend we’re honoring America’s workers with our second annual Tweetathon. Working with our partners in the world of entertainment, America’s athletes, actors, recording artists, Broadway performers, and broadcasters are using Twitter to come together with other union members and workers’ rights supporters from across the country and celebrate the role unions play in creating fair workplaces – and a fair economy. Read more »
Although one of his most beloved characters, the kindly farmer Arthur Hoggett of “Babe,” was a man of few words, actor James Cromwell has long been an outspoken and dedicated defender of workers’ rights. Beyond serving as a leader within his own unions, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild, he has advocated for the freedom to form unions and the Employee Free Choice Act, and stood alongside film crews and lyricists to improve working conditions. Read more » Earlier this week, we described how entertainers and sports stars – most union members themselves – have taken to Twitter, the blogosphere, and other mediums to express solidarity with workers in Wisconsin and states across the country who are fighting to protect their basic rights. While it’s great to see the outpouring of celebrity support, the sheer volume of messages can make tracking difficult. So we’ve assembled a roundup of their tweets, posts, and statements to make their messages easier for workers’ rights supporters to access. As workers, small business owners, religious leaders, and everyday community members continue fighting to protect workers’ rights, some of the country’s most renowned actors, musicians, and athletes have lent their voices to the cause. These stars and their unions, including Actors Equity, AFTRA, Screen Actors Guild, Writers Guild of America, East , the Major League Baseball Players Association, and the National Football League Players Association, are amplifying the message that workers of all stripes have to stand together for a voice on the job and a fair chance at the American dream. Last night, Hollywood feted its top talent at the 17th annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards show. While we’re used to seeing celebrities stroll down the red carpet, this award show is unique because it’s a night when union members come together to honor fellow union members. In fact, it’s the only national network awards show that honors the work of union members. And this year, the stars took full advantage of their opportunity to draw attention to the importance of unions in front of a national audience. Upon receiving her first SAG Award for best actress in ‘Black Swan”, Natalie Portman said, “”I’ve been working since I was 11-years-old, and SAG has taken care of me. I’m so grateful to have this union protecting me every day.” Portman was joined by Best Supporting Actress winner Melissa Leo of “The Fighter”, who noted, “Unions made this country great because they give the voice to the working people.” The night’s winners also praised unions outside of the entertainment world. Julianna Marguiles of “The Good Wife” gave props to the Teamsters for “digging us out of the snow for the past two weeks.”
MAJOR LEAGUE BALL PLAYERS:
They belong to unions. This Labor Day, people who work in the sports, entertainment and news media industries—baseball players, actors, recording artists, Broadway performers, broadcasters and more—are coming together on Twitter to celebrate unions They all know that it’s a tough climb to make it to the top. Fortunately, they have unions to thank for the healthcare, fair wages, and other union advantages they received along the way. So this weekend, union members from across the spectrum are uniting on Twitter with a common purpose: to talk about the advantages of being a #unionmember … in 140 characters or less. Read more » |
Posts Tagged ‘SAG’
Union Shop
