Tag Archives: discrimination

FIA Issues Declaration on Sexual Harassment

December 1, 2017 IM

In October, the International Federation of Actors (FIA) Executive Committee approved a declaration on sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the entertainment and media industries. The declaration, authored and sponsored by SAG-AFTRA, recognizes the rights of all performers to a safe and harassment-free working environment and urges the industry to work in good faith with unions and performer organizations to develop a long-term strategy to achieve discrimination and harassment free workplaces.

“The scandal involving Harvey Weinstein revealed problems that were all to familiar to women—and men—in our industry. We know that sexism in our industry is real. We know that there are sexual harassers who use their power to intimidate. And we know that this needs to change. And as union leaders we are taking a stand—we seek nothing less than a major cultural shift,” says FIA President Ferne Downey.

Wage Gap Growing for Black Workers

September 14, 2017 IM

According to Federal Reserve research, the wage gap for black workers has increased over the past 35-plus years. In 1979, the average black man in America earned 80% as much as the average white man. By 2016, that shortfall had worsened to 70%. The trend holds even when differences in age, education, job type, and geography are taken into account. The authors of the report believe that the pay gap could ultimately be the result of other harder to measure factors like discrimination and school quality difference.

NBCUniversal Go to Trial Over Age Discrimination Claim

September 10, 2015 IM

A trial is scheduled for November 2 to determine if former investigative reporter Frank Snepp was fired due to age discrimination. Snepp’s career as an investigative journalist began following a stint as a CIA analyst. However, Snepp made the news in 1980 when a landmark Supreme Court ruling upheld his confidentiality obligations with US Government over his First Amendment rights as a whistleblower in regards to his Vietnam-focused book Decent Interval. As an investigative reporter, his award-winning stories covered breaking news about the Iran Contra scandal, Monica Lewinski, SEAL Team 6, and more. In 2006 he was hired by LA’s KNBC as a field producer, two years later re-hired as a content producer, then fired in 2012, at age 69. Snepp has submitted evidence of ageist statements from NBC that he should quit or retire because of his age. NBC claims he was fired for inadequate performance.

AFM