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History
Composition
Factions
Major strikes and boycotts
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Global Rule One
2016–2017 strike
Strike against Bartle Bogle Hegarty
Donald Trump ban
2023 strike
Organizing campaigns
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Telemundo
Social efforts
Leadership
See also
References
Further reading
External links
SAG-AFTRA
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
History
See also: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists § History, and Screen
Actors Guild § History
Ken Howard was the first president of the merged union.[9] Upon his death, he was
succeeded by Gabrielle Carteris in 2016.[10] On September 2, 2021, Fran Drescher of
the Unite for Strength faction was elected president.[11] Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
is the current National Executive Director; he has occupied this role since 2021.
[12]
Composition
SAG-AFTRA has a diverse membership consisting of actors, announcers, broadcast
journalists, dancers, disc jockeys, news writers, news editors, program hosts,
puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and
other media professionals.
Nearly all professional actors and media professionals working for medium or large-
scale American media firms are union members. According to SAG-AFTRA's Department
of Labor records since its founding, around a third of the union's total membership
have consistently been considered "withdrawn", "suspended", or otherwise not
categorized as "active" members. These members are ineligible to vote in the union.
[14] "Honorable withdrawals" constitute the largest portion of these, at 20% of the
total membership, or 46,934 members. "Suspended payment" members are the second
largest, at 14%, or 33,422 members.[4] This classification scheme is continued from
the Screen Actors Guild,[15] rather than the scheme used by AFTRA.[16]
Factions
The union is perceived as having two factions. The larger faction ("United for
Strength") says it is focused on creating job opportunities for members. A second
faction ("Membership First") has criticized the current administration for being
too quick and soft when it comes to negotiations with studios.[17]
Global Rule One states: No member shall render any services or make an agreement to
perform services for any employer who has not executed a basic minimum agreement
with the union, which is in full force and effect, in any jurisdiction in which
there is a SAG-AFTRA national collective bargaining agreement in place. This
provision applies worldwide.[18]
Simply put, a SAG-AFTRA member must always work under a union contract around the
globe.[19]
“Do not work” orders are formally issued to denote productions that have not
entered into the required agreements.[20]
2016–2017 strike
Main article: 2016–2017 video game voice actor strike
After approximately a year and a half of negotiations, SAG-AFTRA issued a strike on
October 21, 2016, against eleven American video game developers and publishers,
including Activision, Electronic Arts, Insomniac Games, Take 2 Interactive, and WB
Games. The strike resulted from attempted negotiations since February 2015 to
replace the previous contract, the Interactive Media Agreement, that expired in
late 2014.[21] There were four major issues they fought for with this strike:
establishing transparency in contract negotiation; preventing vocal stress from
long recording sessions; providing safety assurances for stunt coordinators on
performance capture sets; and giving payments of residuals based on sales of a
video game,[22] which have traditionally not been used in the video game industry.
SAG-AFTRA members sought to bring equity for video game actors as in other
industries, while the video game companies feared that giving residuals to actors
would overshadow the contributions of programmers and artists that contribute to
the games. It was the first such organized strike within the video game industry
and the first voice actors' strike in 17 years, as well as the first strike within
the merged SAG-AFTRA organization. As of April 23, 2017, it became the longest
strike within SAG, surpassing the 95-day 1980 Emmy Awards strike, and the 2000
commercials strike.[23]
An agreement was reached on September 23, 2017, ending the 340-day strike.[24]
In 2018, BBH had withdrawn from their contract with SAG-AFTRA, which was first
agreed on in 1999, over contractual terms that stated BBH would not be allowed to
hire non-union actors. BBH stated it put them at a competitive disadvantage as many
of their peer agencies were not signatories.[27][28][29]
On July 20, 2019, SAG ended its 10-month strike against BBH after the advertising
agency agreed to sign the union's new commercials contract.[31]
2023 strike
Main article: 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
In June 2023, the guild voted to authorize a strike if its negotiating committee
failed to reach an agreement on a new contract with major Hollywood studios by June
30. On June 27, over 300 actors signed a letter threatening to go on strike.
Signatories include Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Rami Malek and Amy Schumer.
[33] The next day, signatories had reached 1,000 members.[34] Key issues in the
negotiations include issuing residuals based on viewership data and finding a
uniform metric on which to judge all streaming platform data. Further issues
include limiting the use of self-tape auditions and preventing the use of
artificial intelligence and computer generated voices and faces within the
entertainment industry.[35][36][37] On July 10, 2023, SAG-AFTRA laid out potential
strike rules including: no shoots, no press, and no social media promos for any
actors or actresses under the guild.[38] A representative of the Alliance of Motion
Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) spoke about the compensation offered to
actors to avoid a strike. The alliance, which negotiated with the union on behalf
of Netflix, Walt Disney and Warner Bros stated that SAG-AFTRA deliberately distorts
the course of negotiations. The deal, which SAG-AFTRA refused on July 12, included
more than $1 billion for an increase in salaries, pensions and health insurance,
was designed for a three-year period and included the protection of actors from the
use of their images by artificial intelligence.[39]
Organizing campaigns
Telemundo
On February 9, 2016, NBCUniversal, Telemundo's parent company, faced claims by SAG-
AFTRA of operating under a double standard between its Spanish-language and
English-language talent at NBC and Telemundo. In its response, the network released
a statement claiming it is "committed to making Telemundo a great place to work for
our employees and will continue to invest in them to ensure their salaries and
working conditions are competitive with the rest of the broadcasting industry in
accordance with market size and station revenues."
A few days later on February 13, 2016, SAG-AFTRA came back and added that Telemundo
had been treating its employees like "second-class professionals" given that many
actors do not receive basic workplace guarantees that SAG-AFTRA contracts provide,
such as fair pay, water breaks, health insurance and residuals. At that time,
Telemundo president Luis Silberwasser responded by saying that SAG-AFTRA asked for
recognition of the union as the bargaining agent for employees — rather than
seeking a vote by employees. However, SAG-AFTRA claimed that intimidation tactics
had been taking place within the network to keep employees from unionizing and that
they believe "there is no such thing as a 'fair vote' when workers are afraid for
their careers and livelihoods, and live with the fear of retaliation if they are
seen as actively wanting to unionize. SAG-AFTRA wants to ensure full protection for
workplace democracy and performers' rights to choose through a truly fair
process."[44]
In August 2016, Telemundo once again found itself up against the union when the
network refused to air an ad placed by SAG-AFTRA detailing the unfair wage gap and
lack of benefits Telemundo employees face as opposed to unionized performers at
NBCUniversal. The ad was set to air during the network's premiere people's choice
awards Premios Tu Mundo but was never placed into rotation. A Telemundo
spokesperson responded saying, "After legal review, we have concluded the ad did
not pass legal standards for issue-based advertisement." Meanwhile, other Spanish-
language networks such as MegaTV and Estrella TV aired the ad nationwide.[45]
In March 2016, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) administered a secret vote
amongst 124 Telemundo performers, based on the amount of time actors have worked on
telenovela dramas and other shows. SAG-AFTRA announced that 81% of eligible voters
chose to unionize in a balloting process that began Feb 7 and lasted four weeks.
[46]
Social efforts
In May 2023, in a partnership with the Motion Picture Association of America as
well as other entertainment industry unions, SAG-AFTRA launched the Green Council
Initiative that would aim to encourage and promote environmentally responsible
entertainment. According to Deadline, founding members would include Fran Drescher,
Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Jeff Bridges, Diane Keaton, Kevin
Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick, Salma Hayek, Gloria Estefan, Peter Sarsgaard, Rosario Dawson,
Billy Porter, Aida Rodriguez, Jason Momoa, Rachel Bloom, Chris Colfer, David
Dastmalchian, and Ellen Crawford."[49]
Leadership
Presidents of SAG-AFTRA[50]
President Term
Ralph Morgan 1933
Eddie Cantor 1933–1935
Robert Montgomery 1935–1938
Ralph Morgan 1938–1940
Edward Arnold 1940–1942
James Cagney 1942–1944
George Murphy 1944–1946
Ronald Reagan 1947–1952
Walter Pidgeon 1952–1957
Leon Ames 1957–1958
Howard Keel 1958–1959
Ronald Reagan 1959–1960
George Chandler 1960–1963
Dana Andrews 1963–1965
Charlton Heston 1965–1971
John Gavin 1971–1973
Dennis Weaver 1973–1975
Kathleen Nolan 1975–1979
William Schallert 1979–1981
Ed Asner 1981–1985
Patty Duke 1985–1988
Barry Gordon 1988–1995
Richard Masur 1995–1999
William Daniels 1999–2001
Melissa Gilbert 2001–2005
Alan Rosenberg 2005–2009
Ken Howard 2009–2016
Gabrielle Carteris 2016–2021
Fran Drescher 2021–present
See also
ACTRA – similar English-language Canadian organization
National Association of Actors – similar Mexican organization
Union des artistes – ACTRA's francophone equivalent
References
"Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Screen Actors Guild-
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Internal Revenue Service.
April 30, 2019.
"Contact Us". SAG-AFTRA. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
Whipp, Glenn, SAG Awards 2016: Take that, Oscars -- diversity's the big winner
tonight, Los Angeles Times, January 30, 2016
US Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. File number 000-391.
Report submitted July 30, 2014.
"Unions of the AFL–CIO". AFL–CIO. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
"FIA Members". International Federation of Actors. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
"SAG, AFTRA Members Approve Merger to Form SAG-AFTRA" (Press release). Los
Angeles: SAG-AFTRA. March 30, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
McNary, Dave (January 25, 2013). "SAG, AFTRA merger makes for few bumps". Variety.
Olsen, Mark (March 23, 2016). "Ken Howard, actor and president of SAG-AFTRA, dies
at 71". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
Rodriguez, Brenda (April 9, 2016). "The actress who made played Andrew on '90210'
just helped make SAG history". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
Maddaus, Gene (September 3, 2021). "Fran Drescher Elected President of SAG-AFTRA,
Rival Joely Fisher Wins Secretary-Treasurer". Variety.
"Duncan Crabtree-Ireland Appointed SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief
Negotiator". SAG-AFTRA. Los Angeles. May 26, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
SAG-AFTRA, Steps to Join
US Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. File number 000-391.
(Search)
US Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. File number 000-113.
(Search)
US Department of Labor, Office of Labor-Management Standards. File number 000-030.
(Search)
Verrier, Richard, SAG–AFTRA election reflects fears over actors' pay for online
shows, Los Angeles Times, August 4, 2015
"Global Rule One | Members Only Work Union Contracts | SAG–AFTRA".
Robb, David (July 17, 2019). "Jane Austin, SAG–AFTRA Presidential Candidate, Has A
Plan To Fix A Union That "Has Lost Its Way"". Deadline. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
Robb, David (October 18, 2018). "SAG–AFTRA Rescinds Do-Not-Work Order For 'Keys To
The City' TV Movie". Deadline. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
Smith, Iman (October 22, 2016). "Voice Actors Strike Against Video Game
Companies". NPR. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
Critical Scope (March 30, 2017), Voice actors Matt Mercer & Marisha Ray discuss
SAG–AFTRA Interactive Strike (AnimeMilwaukee), retrieved March 31, 2017
Robb, David (January 24, 2017). "Actors Strike Against Video Game Industry Now
Second-Longest in SAG History". Deadline. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
McNary, Dave (September 25, 2017). "SAG–AFTRA Video Game Strike Ends After a
Year". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
"Nearly 1,000 Denounce Ad Agency BBH at SAG–AFTRA Rally: "Shame on You"". The
Hollywood Reporter. January 23, 2019.
"BBH ordered to enter into new SAG–AFTRA contract, ending 10-month strike". July
20, 2019.
McNary, Dave (September 20, 2018). "SAG–AFTRA Calls a Strike Against Ad Agency
Bartle Bogle Hegarty". Variety. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
(TNS), David Ng Los Angeles Times. "SAG–AFTRA clashes with ad industry over rise
in nonunion commercial production". Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
Robb, David (September 6, 2018). "SAG–AFTRA Accuses Bartle Bogle Hegarty Ad Agency
Of Lying To Actors About Commercials Pact". Deadline. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
"Nearly 1,000 SAG–AFTRA Members Picket Ad Agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty". September
27, 2018.
McNary, Dave (July 20, 2019). "SAG–AFTRA Ends Long Strike Against Ad Agency Bartle
Bogle Hegarty". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
Robb, David (February 7, 2021). "Donald Trump Banned From Ever Rejoining SAG-
AFTRA". Deadline. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
Yandoli, Krystie Lee (June 27, 2023). "Jennifer Lawrence, A-List Actors Threaten
to Strike in Letter to SAG". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
Rosie Cordero, Peter White (June 28, 2023). "SAG–AFTRA "Prepared To Strike" Letter
Hits 1,000 Signatures, Including Guild President Fran Drescher". Deadline.
Retrieved June 29, 2023.
Maddaus, Gene (June 4, 2023). "With DGA Pact in Hand, Industry Focus Turns to SAG–
AFTRA Agenda: Self-Taping, Streaming and AI". Variety. Penske Media Corporation.
Retrieved June 29, 2023.
Maddaus, Gene; Littleton, Cynthia (June 26, 2023). "SAG–AFTRA and Hollywood
Studios Still at Odds Over Higher Residuals for Hit Streaming Shows". Variety.
Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
"SAG strike: Avatar and Gladiator sequels look set to be hit as actors walk out".
BBC News. July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
Fuster, Jeremy (July 10, 2023). "SAG–AFTRA Lays Out Strike Rules: No Shoots, No
Press, No Social Media Promos". TheWrap. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
Richwine, Lisa (July 18, 2023). "Hollywood studios say they offered actors $1
billion in gains before strike". Reuters. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
"SAG–AFTRA Television, Theatrical, and Streaming Contracts Expire Without a Deal".
sagaftra.org. SAG–AFTRA. July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
SAG-AFTRA (July 13, 2023). "SAG–AFTRA Press Conference". YouTube. Retrieved July
13, 2023.
Lang, Robert (July 14, 2023). "SAG–AFTRA Strike Photos: Actors Hit The Picket
Lines On Day 1". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
Debusmann, Bernd; Granville, Samatha (July 14, 2023). "SAG strike: Avatar and
Gladiator sequels look set to be hit as actors walk out". BBC News. Retrieved July
14, 2023.
McNary, Dave (February 13, 2016). "SAG-AFTRA, Telemundo Unionization Battle Heats
Up". Variety. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
Handel, Jonathan (August 29, 2016). "Telemundo Refuses to Air SAG–AFTRA Ad About
Language Equity". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
Ng, David (August 16, 2017). "Telemundo actors vote overwhelmingly to join SAG–
AFTRA". Los Angeles Times.
"SAG–AFTRA And Telemundo Reach Historic Agreement". www.sagaftra.org. Retrieved
December 21, 2022.
Kilkenny, Katie (October 5, 2021). "SAG-AFTRA, Telemundo Reach Tentative Contract
Agreement". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
Robb, David (May 5, 2023). "SAG–AFTRA & Other Groups Launch Green Council
Initiative To Promote Eco-Friendly Entertainment". Deadline. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
"SAG Presidents". SAG–AFTRA. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
Further reading
Miller, Sean J. (May 21, 2012). "SAG-AFTRA Names Top Leadership". Backstage.
Retrieved July 16, 2013.
Verrier, Richard (March 31, 2012). "SAG, AFTRA members overwhelmingly approve
merger". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 16, 2013.
External links