By Guild and IATSE staff
Shiran Carolyn Amir, ACE, a Local 700 Board member, found a creative way to help her fellow union members.
Amir was announced this month as the $40,000 grand prize winner of the Union Plus “Unions Power America” contest. As an 8-year member of her local, Shiran was chosen from thousands of contestants because of her outstanding dedication and advocacy on behalf of her fellow kin.
Union Plus is a nonprofit organization founded by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to provide benefits and discount programs exclusively to union members and their families. Each year the organization honors dozens of member-activists with over $200,000 in prizes through the “Unions Power America” campaign.
Shiran’s decision to participate in the competition was driven by her desire to assist out-of-work members by raising funds for the Entertainment Community Fund (ECF).
“I entered the competition because I saw an opportunity to raise money for our fellow members who are struggling with the ongoing work stoppage,” Shiran explained. “I’m thrilled that these funds will make a difference in assisting IATSE families, and I strongly encourage those in a position to do so to donate to these essential safety nets.”
“I first met Shiran on a picket line before she was ever a guild member,” said Alan Heim, ACE, President of Local 700. “Since she has been on the board she has shown just how much she has cared for all our union kin and, in this time of great hardship during an extended work drought, her efforts at helping members in need is deeply moving.”
Shiran Amir is an active member of the MPEG board and serves as the founding co-chair of the Local’s Young Workers group. As a young worker leader, Shiran has played a role in pioneering numerous initiatives, including organizing bake sales to benefit the MPTF, creating a member-to-member portal to assist Local 700 job seekers, and coordinating inter-local young worker meetups and car painting events.
Congratulations, Shiran! We are proud to call you our sister!
Watch the full video celebrating Shiran’s contest win.
Donate to the MPTF and Entertainment Community Fund.
Learn more about Union Plus benefits.
