SAG-AFTRA members have re-elected two of the union’s top ranking officers, choosing Gabrielle Carteris as president and Jane Austin as secretary-treasurer. Their two-year terms begin today (8/24).
Ballots for the national officers election were mailed to approximately 144,000 eligible voters on July 25, 2017, and 28,988 were returned today, for a return of 20.11 percent. Carteris received 14,674 votes, with Esai Morales receiving 8,145 votes, Pete Antico receiving 4,114 votes, Robert B. Martin, Jr., receiving 1,207 votes and Marilyn Monrovia receiving 715 votes.
In the election for secretary-treasurer, Austin was elected to the position with 15,312 votes, Jason George received 10,953 votes and Chuck Slavin received 2,248 votes.
President Carteris said, “I’m deeply humbled that our members have entrusted me with the privilege and honor of continuing to lead our great union. During the campaign I pledged to work every day to protect and empower our SAG-AFTRA members, and I will keep that commitment. I look forward to listening to all of our members, not just those who voted for me. We must continue to work together to truly realize our potential.”
Secretary-treasurer Austin said, “Thank you my fellow members, for exercising your right to vote and trusting me to represent your interests for another two years as the secretary-treasurer of SAG-AFTRA. It is an honor to continue the work that has been set in motion, and to provide transparency in union activities in order to achieve many more future successes on your behalf.”
SAG-AFTRA national executive director David White welcomed the officers saying, “I would like to congratulate all of the officers elected today. I look forward to working with president Carteris and secretary-treasurer Austin to continue the tremendous progress we have made over the last several years. The staff and I are eager to work with all of the elected leaders nationwide on the many union initiatives and goals that support, inspire and empower SAG-AFTRA members.”
A working actor for nearly 30 years, Carteris became a household name playing Andrea Zuckerman on Beverly Hills, 90210. Her extensive resume includes work in television, film and the stage, with recent credits including a recurring role on Code Black and guest-starring roles on Criminal Minds, Make It or Break It, The Event, Longmire and The Middle. Carteris was first elected SAG-AFTRA president in April 2016, and previously served as executive vice president from 2013-16. A fierce advocate for inclusion and equity for all, Carteris is a sought-after speaker and panelist on diversity topics and led the union’s fight to pass California’s “IMDb Law,” which helps mitigate rampant age discrimination in entertainment and other industries. In August 2016, she was also elected a vice president on the AFL-CIO’s executive council.
Austin was first elected the union’s secretary-treasurer and Los Angeles Local president in 2015. She is an experienced stunt performer and owner of Hollywood Stuntworks. She has appeared in numerous films, including Wayne’s World, The Naked Gun, Red Eye and Elizabethtown. On television, she has worked on Justified, True Blood, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Key and Peele. She has served 14 years on SAG-AFTRA’s National Board and the boards of its predecessor unions. She has also chaired the Stunt Committee and served on the National Executive, Communications and Disciplinary Review committees and spearheaded the successful effort to have stunt performers and their work recognized at the SAG Awards.
Ballots for the union’s two largest locals, Los Angeles and New York, were also tabulated Thursday. Austin was re-elected president of the Los Angeles Local and Mike Hodge was re-elected president of the New York Local.
