Dear SAG-AFTRA Friends and Colleagues,

Your SAG-AFTRA ballots have arrived. I would like to encourage you to vote (if you haven’t already) and I would like to share my perspective on this election.
There are two opposing slates in the national and LA elections – Unite for Strength and Membership First. I don’t recommend a straight slate vote for either one. I’ve looked at all the candidates on the ballot, including those who, like me, are running independently, and offer below my recommendations for the LA National and Local Boards, and LA Convention Delegates.*

As for National President and Secretary-Treasurer, I believe that all four candidates are equally capable of serving, and all should be seriously considered.

What is critical for the union now is diversity of thought and leadership. We need respect for the democratic process, and a board that welcomes dissenting opinions, fosters debate and nurtures the collectivism that defines a healthy labor organization.

As for myself, I have accomplished what I hoped to as Secretary-Treasurer, first of SAG and now SAG-AFTRA. I would still like to be of service, though, and would appreciate your LA vote for National Board and delegate (nos. 102 and 218, respectively, and below).

The ballot is long and a bit complicated, I know, but please take the time to fill it out and send it; this is the Board that will oversee our next two big contract negotiations – and nothing could be more important. Feel free to write me with your questions and thoughts.

In solidarity,
Amy Aquino

*The two NY slates are “sharing” the ballot; you can go to http://www.nyc4u.org, click “Voter Guide”, and vote for all or some. I hope you make a space for independent Anita Hollander, with whom I’ve served for years and who is a terrific unionist. Write me if you want more specific information.

LA NATIONAL BOARD
79. Jon Huertas
81. David Jolliffe
85. Ana Lilia
86. Jodi Long
88. John Carroll Lynch
89. Elizabeth McLaughlin
90. Ron Ostrow
91. Conrad Palmisano
93. Patricia Richardson
97. Stacey Travis
98. Lisa Vidal
100. Vivicca Whitsett
102. Amy Aquino
106. L. Scott Caldwell
110. Mimi Cozzens
111. Ellen Crawford
115. Patrick Fabian
117. Raymond Forchion

LA LOCAL BOARD:
08. Richard Hadfield
09. Samantha Hartson
12. Jon Huertas
14. David Jolliffe
15. Matt Cavanaugh
16. Clyde Kusatsu
19. David Lawrence XVII
21. Ana Lilia
22. Kate Linder
24. Jodi Long
27. Tohoru Masamune
28. Elizabeth McLaughlin
29. Julie Michaels
31. Ron Morgan
33. Dan Navarro
43. Jenny O’Hara
35. Ron Ostrow
37. Patricia Richardson
44. Amir Talai
45. Iqbal Theba
46. Lisa Vidal
47. David Westberg
48. Ben Whitehair
49. Vivicca Whitsett
50. Kevin Ashworth
52. Jane Austin
53. Jeff Austin
57. Natalia Castellanos
59. Parvesh Cheena
61. John P. Connolly
63. Mimi Cozzens
64. Ellen Crawford
65. Jane Daly
70. Patrick Fabian
72. Raymond Forchion

LA CONVENTION DELEGATES:
You can vote for 129(!) of the 173, so most will be elected. But please make sure to vote for these:
119
120
121
122
124
125
131
132
133
134
135
141
142
145
146
147
151
153
155
156
162
163
164
167
169
175
186
189
195
198
201
212
213
214
217
218
220
223
229
230
233
235
238
239
241
242
244
245
249
253
256
257
259
261
262
264
266
277
280
282
286
287