SAG-AFTRA Foundation Has Distributed $5.5 Million In Financial Aid During Pandemic, Needs Donations

The petition, hosted on Change.org, was nearing 11,600 signatures by 6 p.m. PT on Saturday.In a letter to members sent out on Wednesday, managers of the guild’s health plan said the changes are necessary because of projected deficits “of $141 million this year and $83 million in 2021,” and that “by 2024, the Health Plan is projected to run out of reserves.”The health plan currently covers those making more than $18,040 per year.

Dave McNary Film ReporterMore than 11,400 people have asked trustees of the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan to overturn recently announced changes that will cut eligibility for the plan on Jan. 1.The petition at change.org — titled “Overturn the changes made to the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan” — noted that the changes are being imposed amid the pandemic and characterized them as “unconscionable.”The health plan announced in an email it sent to members on Aug.

David Robb Labor EditorTwo members of the SAG-AFTRA negotiating committee that bargained for the union’s recently ratified film and TV contract said tonight that they had not been told during the talks of the severity of the problems facing the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan.The plan’s restructuring is projected to remove some 3,500 participants and 3,200 family members from coverage come Jan.

David Robb Labor EditorHard times call for hard decisions, which trustees of the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan say they had to make to save health benefits for future generations of participants.Even before the pandemic, the Plan was facing unsustainable deficits, and the COVID-19 production shutdown accelerated the need for a complete overhaul of its benefits structures.

David Robb Labor EditorMore than 1,300 angry SAG-AFTRA members have signed a petition calling on the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan to overturn changes that will leave many members without health coverage during the coronavirus pandemic.The Plan says that the changes, which go into effect January 1, are needed to keep the Plan solvent in the face of staggering deficits.

Simon Cowell is said to have been nearly paralysed after breaking his back in three places following a fall from his electric bike.The X Factor judge, 60, has reportedly needed six hours of surgery after the break in his back missed his spinal cord by 1cm during the accident. Simon is said to have been testing out the bike with his partner Lauren Silverman and son Eric, six, when he fell backwards and smashed onto concrete at his Los Angeles home.

directly onto Disney+ in major territories has provoked a furious backlash from international exhibitors who feel the House of Mouse is declining to support them in their hour of need.Emotions are high – as evidenced in our piece speaking to UK operators yesterday when one called it a “f*ck you to exhibitors” – and they were summed up somewhat aptly by a video that emerged today of a cinema owner in France destroying a piece of “Mulan” promotional artwork in reaction to the news.

“Judge Judy” and CBS are being taken to court for a “breach of contract.”

Alexandra Del Rosario Associate Editor/Nights & WeekendsEXCLUSIVE: Former SAG-AFTRA Foundation events and communications team members Mara Webster, Liz Riesterer and Danna Friedberg will launch their digital entertainment events firm In Creative Company as virtual events become the norm of during the COVID-19 pandemic.“Given the situation and current climate in our industry, we look forward to highlighting and elevating creative voices online, whilst this is the only way it is safe for us to do

Alexandra Del Rosario Associate Editor/Nights & WeekendsDonald Trump, even after taking on the new role of President of the United States in 2016, still makes big Hollywood bucks.The president’s financial disclosure report, released late Friday, broke down his various income streams for 2019.

Dave McNary Film ReporterSAG-AFTRA’s funds held in trust for others have increased by less than $1 million to  $215.6 million since last year, according to the union’s latest filing with the federal government.The miniscule gain, following a 9.4% jump last year, is a probable sign of the impact of the industry’s production halt that took place in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Those funds have been at the center of a long-running dispute, dating back to a 2007 suit filed by the late Ken

U2, a band renowned for their long-running charitable efforts on a global scale, is continuing to give back during the coronavirus pandemic. After donating €10m to Irish COVID-19 relief efforts back in April, the rock outfit is now donating an additional $1,500,000 to provide relief for the live music industry, which is suffering economically as the pandemic forces closures of live music venues, leaving many out of work.

Sam Faiers’ fans have rushed to her defence after she received backlash for holidaying in Spain amid the coronavirus pandemic.The Mummy Diaries star is enjoying a relaxing getaway with her boyfriend Paul Knightley and their children; Paul Jr, four, and Rosie, two.The government is now warning against all but essential travel to Spain, with travellers having to quarantine for 14 days upon their return to the UK.

The number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States is about to reach 150,000 and counting. Millions of Americans have filed for unemployment and are unable to pay their rent.

Alfre Woodard has a date with Patrisse Cullors on July 29. The veteran actress and producer will join the Black Lives Matter co-founder for a SAG-AFTRA Foundation conversation at 1 p.m.