Table of Contents
SAG-AFTRA (Sag Aftra)
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG AFTRA), pronounced /sæɡˈæftrə/ sag-AF-trə, is a labor union in the United States formed by the 2012 merger of SAG (the Screen Actors Guild) and AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). It represents around 160,000 media professionals globally and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States. Additionally, SAG AFTRA holds membership in the International Federation of Actors (FIA). The union is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and New York City, with additional local offices across the country.
History
The organization came into being on March 30, 2012, following the consolidation of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. According to Variety’s report in January 2013, the merger progressed relatively smoothly, marked by displays of goodwill from both sides. However, the most challenging issue that remained was the integration of the two pension funds, particularly concerning performers who had contributed to both plans but fell short of qualifying for a pension under either.
SAG AFTRA’s main offices are situated in Los Angeles, California, and New York City, with additional local branches spread across the nation.
Radio Years
Inspired by the passage of the National Labor Relations Act by Congress in 1935, radio artists in Los Angeles united to establish the Radio Actors Guild. Concurrently, Broadway actor George Heller advocated for the protection of radio artists by lobbying the Actors’ Equity Association in New York, leading to the inception of Radio Equity as a subsidiary of Actors’ Equity.
On August 16, 1937, the American Federation of Radio Artists (AFRA) was founded, supplanting Radio Equity and the Radio Actors Guild. The Associated Actors and Artistes of America (Four As) granted a charter to this new union, which boasted 400 members across two locations. Following New York and Los Angeles, Chicago, a hub for “soap opera” production, swiftly formed its own local chapter. By December 1937, AFRA’s membership exceeded 2,000 individuals.
On July 12, 1938, buoyed by the endorsement of radio luminaries such as Eddie Cantor, Edgar Bergen, Jack Benny, and Bing Crosby, AFRA members successfully negotiated the first nationwide collectively bargained agreement—with NBC and CBS—resulting in a remarkable 125% wage hike. By 1939, within a mere two years, AFRA had secured collective bargaining agreements covering 70% of live radio broadcasts.
In 1941, AFRA members negotiated the Transcription Code, which facilitated the production of programs recorded for later broadcast while incorporating cost-of-living adjustments into contracts.
SAG AFTRA
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Founded
Type
Tax ID no.
Legal status
Headquarters
Location
President
Executive Director
Subsidiaries
Staff (2018)
Volunteers (2018)
Website
March 30, 2012
Trade union
45-4931719
501(c)(5) organization
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
United States
Fran Drescher
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
Screen Actors Guild Awards
664
1,150
Merger
- Screen Actors Guild
- American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Members
- 116,741 (active; 2016)
- 80,440 (other; withdrawn/suspended; 2014)
Affiliations
- Associated Actors and Artistes of America
- AFL–CIO
- International Federation of Actors
- International Federation of Journalists
Television Years
On April 16, 1950, a dispute over television performers’ jurisdiction led to the formation of the Television Authority (TVA) by several unions in the entertainment industry, including Chorus Equity, the American Guild of Variety Artists, the Associated Actors and Artistes of America, the American Guild of Musical Artists, and Actors’ Equity Association. The TVA negotiated the first network television contract in December of that year. By April 23, 1951, six Los Angeles TV stations had signed contracts certifying the Television Authority as their performers’ sole union representative. In 1951, the goal set forth at the 1947 National Convention was achieved as AFRA negotiated the first Phonograph Recording Code for singers with major recording labels.
On September 17, 1952, the Television Authority and AFRA merged to form a new union: the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), with George Heller as its inaugural head. SAG AFTRA boasted nearly 10,000 members at its inception. In 1954, AFTRA negotiated the AFTRA Pension and Welfare Plan (later known as the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds), the industry’s first benefit package, which was subsequently incorporated into other agreements. By the mid-1950s, advancements in videotape technology allowed for the broadcast of pre-recorded programs, leading AFTRA members to negotiate the first-ever formula for payments for replays of performances. This paved the way for residuals and syndication throughout the television industry. In 1960, AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) members conducted their first joint negotiations on television commercials.
In 1967, AFTRA members initiated the union’s first national strike on March 29, 1967, following breakdowns in negotiations over staff announcer contracts at owned-and-operated stations in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, as well as first-time contracts for “Newsmen” at networks and owned-and-operated stations. The strike involved all 18,000 members in over 100 locations across the country for 13 days until an agreement was reached on April 10, 1967, just in time to allow the live broadcast of the annual Academy Awards program from the Santa Monica Auditorium. In 1974, a challenge to AFTRA’s union shop agreements for news broadcasters by William F. Buckley failed as the US Supreme Court declined to review the case. AFTRA and SAG members jointly negotiated the contract covering primetime dramatic programming on major television networks for the first time. In 1978, AFTRA and SAG members embarked on only the second national strike in AFTRA’s history, striking advertising agencies and national advertisers over the jointly negotiated Commercials Contracts.
Screen Actors Guild Awards
The Screen Actors Guild Awards, commonly known as the SAG Awards, were established in 1995 to honor outstanding performances in both film and prime time television. Alongside the Golden Globe Awards and the Oscars, the SAG Awards have become a prominent event within the Hollywood industry. They recognize individual performances as well as the collective efforts of drama and comedy series ensembles, as well as motion picture casts.
The inaugural SAG Awards were broadcast live on February 25, 1995, from Universal Studios’ Stage 12. Subsequent ceremonies were held at various venues, including the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium and the Shrine Auditorium. In December 2017, it was announced that the awards show would have its first-ever host, actress Kristen Bell, marking a historic moment in its then twenty-four-year history.
As of 2023, “Shakespeare in Love” remains the sole film to have received nominations in all four acting categories and the ensemble award. Similarly, “Everything Everywhere All at Once” stands out as the only film to have clinched four awards, including the ensemble accolade.
The coveted statuette, nicknamed “The Actor,” depicts a nude male figure holding masks of comedy and tragedy. Crafted from solid bronze by the American Fine Arts Foundry in Burbank, California, it stands at 16 inches tall and weighs over 12 pounds.
Composition
SAG AFTRA boasts a diverse membership encompassing actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, disc jockeys, news writers, editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and various other media professionals.
Securing membership in SAG AFTRA is often seen as a milestone for newcomers in the entertainment industry. Typically, it’s attained upon securing their inaugural position in a studio covered by a collective bargaining agreement with the union. SAG AFTRA affiliated work holds a significantly higher regard than non-union roles. Given the union’s considerable size and influence, the majority of major media companies have agreements with SAG AFTRA via the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers. While these studios aren’t closed to non-union workers, they generally prioritize hiring union members.
The vast majority of actors and media professionals employed by medium to large American media companies are unionized. Based on SAG AFTRA’s Department of Labor records, a consistent portion—around a third—of the union’s total membership has been labeled as “withdrawn,” “suspended,” or otherwise categorized as non-“active” members since its inception. Among these, the largest subset is “honorable withdrawals,” comprising 20% of the membership or 46,934 individuals, followed by “suspended payment” members at 14% or 33,422 members. This classification system aligns with the one used by the Screen Actors Guild rather than that of SAG AFTRA.
Divisions within the Union
Within the union, there’s a notable division perceived to consist of two factions. The predominant group, known as “United for Strength,” emphasizes its commitment to generating employment opportunities for members. In contrast, the other faction, “Membership First,” has voiced disapproval of the current leadership, accusing them of hastiness and leniency in negotiations with studios.
Notable Strikes and Boycotts
Global Rule One
2016–2017 Video Game Voice Actor Strike
Clash with Bartle Bogle Hegarty
Donald Trump's Membership Ban
2023 strike
Coordinating Initiatives
Environmental Advocacy in the Entertainment Industry
Leadership history
Presidents of SAG
| 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 |
| Robert Montgomery | 1946–1947 |
| 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 |
| Edward 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 | 2009–2012 |
Presidents of AFTRA
| President | Term |
|---|---|
| Eddie Cantor | 1937–1940 |
| Lawrence Tibbett | 1940–1946 |
| Ken Carpenter | 1946–1948 |
| Bud Collyer | 1948–1950 |
| Knox Manning | 1950–1952 |
| Alan Bunce | 1952–1954 |
| Frank Nelson | 1954–1957 |
| Bud Collyer | 1957–1959 |
| Virginia Payne | 1959–1961 |
| Art Gilmore | 1961–1963 |
| Vicki Vola | 1963–1965 |
| Tyler McVey | 1965–1967 |
| Mel Brandt | 1967–1970 |
| Bill Baldwin | 1970–1973 |
| Ken Harvey | 1973–1976 |
| Joe Slattery | 1976–1979 |
| Bill Hillman | 1979–1984 |
| Frank Maxwell | 1984–1989 |
| Reed Farrell | 1989–1993 |
| Shelby Scott | 1993–2001 |
| John Connolly | 2001–2007 |
| Roberta Reardon | 2007–2012 |
Presidents of SAG-AFTRA
| President | Term |
|---|---|
| Ken Howard | Co-president 2012–2013<br>President 2013–2016 |
| Roberta Reardon | Co-president 2012–2013 |
| Gabrielle Carteris | 2016–2021 |
| Fran Drescher | 2021–present |
FAQ
Gallery
Internal Links
- Category: American
- Category: American Federations
- Category: American Academy Award
- American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
- Screen Actors Guild
- Screen Actors Guild Awards
- Screen Actors Guild Awards
- 2016–2017 video game voice actor strike
