AFTRA exec director ankles for pilots post
York denies connection to strike
York, 46, said he had been planning to resign for several months and stressed that the announcement did not reflect concerns over the union’s plans to go on strike today — along with the Screen Actors Guild — against advertisers. "The timing of my announcement is purely coincidental," he added.
York, who is taking a post in Washington D.C. as assistant director of representation at the Airline Pilots Association, cited his 2-year-old daughter as a key factor in his decision. "As exciting and rewarding as AFTRAs’ development has been, I want family life to have more of my attention," he wrote to AFTRA president Shelby Scott in his letter of resignation. "Simply, I want to read Kate a bedtime story more nights than I can now."
Amicable departure
York and Scott said the departure is amicable. "I tried to talk him out of it, but I completely understand his reasons," Scott said. "The executive director is a position that requires being out on the road a lot."
York said he had full confidence in AFTRA’s and SAG’s negotiators and their ability to reach an acceptable deal with advertisers. He also asserted that the membership supports the decision to go on strike.
"I think the unions are fully committed to reaching the deal we set out to achieve," York said. "I don’t think union members are going to blink on this."
York’s resignation is effective Sept. 1, but he plans to stop working in June and use up accrued vacation. The western section of the union’s national board has recommended to the full board that Greg Hessinger, AFTRA’s assistant national executive director for the past two years, be named acting national director as of June 1 and that a search committee be formed for a new director.
The central and western sections of the board will meet May 16 in New York. "I think we’ll have a smooth transition," Scott said.
Decade of accomplishment
York said in his letter of resignation that the past decade had been a period of "incredible accomplishment" for AFTRA, which represents about 80,000 performers and broadcasters. He cited uniform national dues, improved contracts, cable and Internet organizing, legislative efforts, transformed health and retirement plans and creation of the AFTRA Foundation.
York said he will be available to help AFTRA during the transition period before his replacement takes over.
"Thanks in large measure to Bruce’s total dedication, intelligence and creativity in finding solutions to difficult problems, AFTRA is now a more sophisticated and proactive organization, equipped to represent its members aggressively in this new century," Scott said. "We wish Bruce the very best, which is what he deserves."
