SAG-AFTRA Leaders Team Up with New York Officials and Rep. Jerrold Nadler for ‘Rock The City’ Celebration Amid Studio and Streamer Talks Pause

Contract negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and studios were not the focal point during Monday night’s “Rock the City” event in New York. Instead, union leaders emphasized unity and celebration at this annual gathering.

Negotiations had recently been paused and are scheduled to resume on April 27, just ahead of the June 30 expiration of the current agreement. As a media blackout continues to restrict discussion on the negotiations, a collective sigh of relief was palpable when a surprise agreement between the WGA and the AMPTP was mentioned.

“Rock the City” has been celebrated for over a decade at the union’s Manhattan headquarters, uniting various sectors including Broadway, film, television, digital media, advertising, music, and more. This year’s event featured notable attendees such as U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler; Rafael Espinal, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment; and New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. Also present were SAG-AFTRA leaders including New York Local President Ezra Knight, Executive Vice President Linda Powell, and Chief Labor Policy Officer Rebecca Damon.

Despite looming uncertainties regarding the upcoming contract and concerns about New York’s production landscape, the atmosphere remained celebratory. A series of remarks sparked enthusiasm, met with cheers and applause from the audience.

Espinal, newly appointed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, expressed his commitment to labor support in the film industry. “SAG-AFTRA has been a strong partner in the labor movement here in New York,” he stated. He also honored Damon with the Made in New York Award during his first official act as commissioner.

Menin, a former city film commissioner, reminisced about her past efforts to enhance film production in New York. “I partnered with you all, and we brought TV and film production to the highest level the city had ever seen,” she told the crowd of stakeholders. She stressed the need to retain productions in the city, saying, “We can’t allow that to happen. We need to build more affordable housing to support artists and attract creative industries to New York.”

Nadler received warm applause as speakers recognized his decision not to seek re-election this fall. Reflecting on his experiences, he remarked, “There have been strikes, where I’ve supported you. There have been good times, there have been bad times. But overall, we know that solidarity forever, the old labor song, is exactly right.”