BBH Strike Gets Holiday Wrapping
December 19, 2018
In the latest major strike action, SAG-AFTRA members rallied in front of the offices of Bartle Bogle Hegarty in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 17.
The holiday-themed action drew a throng of members on both coasts who, while singing customized Christmas carols, urged BBH not to abandon its 20-year commitment to SAG-AFTRA’s Commercials Contracts.
In New York, a chalk artist drew a portrait of BBH earning a spot on Santa Claus’ naughty list outside the company’s Tribeca offices. Members gathered around and sang a BBH-inspired version of “Jingle Bells,” while a mobile billboard promoting SAG-AFTRA’s strike and calling out the company’s hypocrisy circled the block.
Accompanied by Ebenezer Scrooge and a contingent of members, SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President and New York Local President Rebecca Damon tried to deliver several bags of coal to the BBH office. “That’s not only unfair and unjust – it’s not nice. And you know what happens when you’re not nice,” said Damon of BBH’s withdrawal from SAG-AFTRA’s Commercials Contracts. “You end up on Santa’s naughty list! So we’re here to deliver BBH their lumps of coal.”
Scrooge tried to defend his fellow “misers” at BBH. “Bah humbug,” he cried.
Inside the lobby of the Tribeca building, members were met by the building’s manager, while BBH’s executives remained upstairs. Damon politely informed the manager that the union had a special delivery for BBH. He responded by calling the police, who arrived after SAG-AFTRA members were back on the sidewalk and mingling around the chalk image of Santa writing BBH onto his naughty list for 2018.
“This fight will continue,” said Damon.
In Los Angeles, between numbers like “I’m Dreaming of a Job This Christmas,” and “You’re a Mean One, BBH,” Secretary-Treasurer and Los Angeles Local President Jane Austin thanked the members gathered in front of BBH’s Melrose Avenue building. “We are asking BBH to honor the contract that it’s committed to for two decades,” said Austin, who was flanked by member Shea Scullin dressed as St. Nick himself.
“You are raising your voices and demanding that our contracts be honored, and that is being heard today,” Austin said, after she read letters members had written to BBH telling them how they were personally affected by the company’s illegal withdrawal from the commercials contracts.
Austin and Scullin, in a traditional red velvet suit, attempted to deliver a bag of coal, packed by members at the L.A. Local holiday party Dec. 12, to BBH but were told that the company was not accepting deliveries.
Austin told members that the actions against BBH will continue. “We are committed to protecting our commercial performer members and growing the union-covered work in this space,” she said.
In Los Angeles, between numbers like “I’m Dreaming of a Job This Christmas,” and “You’re a Mean One, BBH,” Secretary-Treasurer and Los Angeles Local President Jane Austin thanked the members gathered in front of BBH’s Melrose Avenue building. “We are asking BBH to honor the contract that it’s committed to for two decades,” said Austin, who was flanked by member Shea Scullin dressed as St. Nick himself.
“You are raising your voices and demanding that our contracts be honored, and that is being heard today,” Austin said, after she read letters members had written to BBH telling them how they were personally affected by the company’s illegal withdrawal from the commercials contracts.
Austin and Scullin, in a traditional red velvet suit, attempted to deliver a bag of coal, packed by members at the L.A. Local holiday party Dec. 12, to BBH but were told that the company was not accepting deliveries.
Austin told members that the actions against BBH will continue. “We are committed to protecting our commercial performer members and growing the union-covered work in this space,” she said.
https://www.sagaftra.org/bbh-strike-gets-holiday-wrapping
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To all our members, remember you don’t have to be a holiday stocking to hang in there!
Arl
The Ol’ SAG Watchdog
*Headline photo featured in the SAG/AFTRA website article