During this Labor Day weekend, I would like to take a break from the regular programming to speak about why I believe union membership is important to me.
When I joined, I remember theaters paying $75 per week or simply nothing. This is probably why we are called starving artists. So when is art valued? When is the work so important that you can actually earn a living wage? When can you afford more than the dollar menu at McDonalds?
Once I started working at professional theaters, I knew I wanted to join the union. I know that some of us feel as if we are better off without the membership and the dues. Some of us are afraid that work will simply dry up once we cross over. There is some truth to all of this. But, most of it is mired in the fear of change.When I got my first residual check from SAG, I was happier than a pig in butter. It convinced me even more. (And some of those checks still come 10 years later)
As a Black female actress, my work is already limited. So why oh why should I not get paid fairly for the few gigs that I can and will get each year? I want to be eligible for insurance even if it is only for 6 months or it takes me 3 years to get it. I will never get it as a non-union member. I also want the opportunity to collect a small or middle scale pension once I am vested. I also want to work in a safe space with clean facilities (that is only protected under AEA policies). It allows us the opportunity to file for unemployment benefits in between gigs and workers compensation when we are injured. (This profession can be dangerous - Ask the folks in the Spider Man musical or the dancers from Lion King)
On the flip side, I pay semi-annual dues to 2 organizations that do not guarantee work or work availability. There are times that paying just does not fit into one's budget. You must weigh the pros and cons for self. Personally, it has always been worth it to make sure that I spent the necessary money.
It is also important that you do not work with individuals who care nothing for their membership. I nearly did a reading which was advertised as being AEA sponsored. Just to find out that no application was ever filed and the person in charge had just had her own AEA membership revoked a few months before. I got the fuck up out of that situation and made sure that the other cast members were duly informed so that each of us could make a real decision based on truth rather than fiction.
This is one other reason why it takes money to make money. But, if you are in it for the long haul, union membership is always worth it. I am proud card carrying member!
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