11 Facts About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA is a member of the AFL–CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States.

SAG-AFTRA is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and in New York City in addition to other local offices nationwide.

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.

SAG-AFTRA work is considered to be substantially more prestigious than non-union jobs.

Studios that have signed a collective bargaining agreement with SAG-AFTRA are not closed shops, but are generally required to give preference to union members first when hiring.

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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.

SAG-AFTRA launched a successful strike action that drew thousands of members to picket lines and strike actions across the country.

In 2018, BBH had withdrawn from their contract with SAG-AFTRA, which was first agreed on in 1999, over contractual terms that stated BBH would not be allowed to hire non-union actors.

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.