Micki Bursalyan
I am the Western Region Director for Local 600, I accepted my new role in December 2023, right as our contract campaign was heating up. I have been a union organizer for the last 18 years, and have worked with union members in healthcare, public service, building maintenance, actors, and more. I have taken workers on strike, bargained contracts, signed up new members, and built power with workers across the country. I am proud to be an advocate for workers, and even more so to fight for our members in Local 600.
My Story
I started organizing unions in Arizona in 2007. I began as a political organizer with local AZ politics and was hired by SEIU to organize public sector workers, which I did for many years, learning the ins and outs of the challenges workers in Right to Work states experience. I later spent some time on set as an AFTRA and then SAG-AFTRA Television Business Rep, which was meaningful to me as my Dad is a SAG-AFTRA member and stunt performer, and I grew up watching him on TV and in live shows. My Dad took me to set when I was young, and I was always fascinated by the complex operation that was happening around me. I grew up around the amazing artists on set and now have found myself their advocate in my labor career. I worked many years with some of the largest local unions in the country, organizing workers around the common struggle all workers face, the battle for dignity, respect, and justice at work. I have learned that power concedes nothing without a demand, and the workers build that power together. It is an honor I do not take lightly to fight alongside union members, especially now as we enter an era of uncertainty in our country.
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As Western Region Director, I've learned so much about our local, and industry in the last year. I've worked closely with our Business Representatives, and learned how to streamline many important issues so our members know how they can participate and engage with their collective power. I have been to many meetings, events, and created a few new places for members to participate. I hope to keep learning, both from our incredibly talented staff and our members across the country. In the coming months, I remain focused on the campaign to increase and expand the CA Film Incentive, something of critical importance to our members here in California and across the Western Region. I hope to bring my passion for labor, and for Local 600 with me to the IATSE conventions and beyond, as we grow our power and build on our success, together.