DGA President Jack Shea Addresses SAG/AFTRA Rally

DGA President Jack Shea addressed a recent SAG/AFTRA rally in support of their strike against commercial producers. Rallies in New York and Hollywood were held to urge the advertising industry to bargain a fair and equitable commercials contract.

Speaking to a crowd of over a thousand gathered in the park adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits in the heart of Los Angeles, Shea told the audience, "I am here today because it is extremely important for all guilds and unions to demonstrate our solidarity with the men and women of SAG and AFTRA. I am here today because the commercials industry is making record profits and it is time that they give proper recognition to the talented performers who have helped create those profits. And I am here today because the DGA believes that it is long past time for this strike to end with a fair and equitable contract for all commercial performers!

"Our unity sends a strong message to the advertisers that contract rollbacks in network residuals are simply unacceptable! Our unity helps educate advertisers that their growing profits are a result of the hard work of many gifted men and women who bring their talents onto the set, both in front of and behind the camera. And our unity is a statement of recognition that many of the issues that have resulted in this long and painful SAG-AFTRA strike are the same issues that we will all face in future negotiations.

"Now more than ever, it is essential that we continue to stand together in solidarity as we face these challenges. So I am pleased to be with you here today representing the Directors Guild of America as we stand together in solidarity. Let's send our message of unity loud and clear to the advertisers that the time has come to end this strike by negotiating a fair and equitable commercial contract with SAG and AFTRA."

Also addressing the rally were celebrity members of SAG including DGA member Tom Hanks who told the crowd that SAG and AFTRA, "deserved an equitable partner at the opposite end of the bargaining table. Actors are a bargain... we bring life to words on a printed page."

One of the most recognizable icons of television advertising, Dick Wilson, "Mr. Whipple" of Charmin commercial fame, received a prolonged ovation when he turned his signature line back upon the advertising industry, "Please don't squeeze the actors! It may have just been toilet paper to you, but it was bread and butter to me."

The SAG/AFTRA strike is now in its 19^th week.