LOS ANGELES--Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director/CEO A. Robert Pisano and Deputy National Executive Director for Contracts Sallie Weaver announced today the appointment of Tom La Grua as SAG’s National Director of Contract Strategy, effective October 1.
La Grua's newly created position enables the Guild to further its key mandates by defining negotiation and enforcement strategies for SAG’s major collective bargaining agreements in partnership with SAG’s elected leadership and senior staff. La Grua will play a pivotal role in next year's commercial contract negotiation as well as the 2004 negotiation of the Basic Theatrical and Television Agreements. Further, La Grua will lead development of proactive strategies on issues ranging from the advancement of Global Rule One, the newly formed SAG/AFTRA relations committee addressing shared jurisdiction programming, to addressing runaway production contract issues. La Grua will report to Weaver.
“Long term strategic planning is key to formulating bargaining positions which address not only today’s issues, but tomorrow’s as well. Through his leadership as a Board Member and Committee Chair, Tom La Grua has demonstrated the kind of strategic thinking, analysis and planning capability critical to the negotiation and enforcement of strong collective bargaining agreements,” said Pisano.
“In today’s rapidly changing business environment, strategic approaches are key to establishing the Guild as the most successful representative of performers. Tom La Grua brings rich experience as an actor and as an effective leader. He will bring this focus to the challenges the Guild faces. I am delighted he has agreed to become a key executive on our Contracts team,” stated Weaver.
“I welcome the challenge of strengthening Guild contracts and improving protections for performers,” said La Grua. “I am honored by the opportunity to carry forth the policies of the Board of Directors and to take an active role in helping the Guild achieve more favorable collective bargaining agreements.”
La Grua, who until yesterday’s board election was the Guild’s 3rd Vice President, has served on the Guild board for the past three years and is a 25-year SAG and AFTRA member. La Grua led the successful 2001 negotiations on the Basic and Television Agreement as the SAG chair of the negotiating committee.
La Grua has appeared as a regular on three series: “Caroline In The City,” “The Boys” and “The Famous Teddy Z.” His additional television credits include "NYPD Blue,” “The Practice,” “ER,” and
“Home Improvement.” In transitioning to Guild staff, La Grua will honorably withdraw his union memberships. |