Shaping an Industry: SAG-AFTRA’s Advocacy for Actors' Rights
The film and television industry has made significant strides for the labor rights and equitable treatment of actors since its earliest days. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the industry has not always prioritized the well-being of its performers. Within this context, the formation of the Screen Actors Guild becomes particularly noteworthy.
SAG was established in 1933 by a group of actors deeply concerned about the rampant exploitation of Hollywood actors; this group included James Cagney, Eddie Cantor, Joan Crawford, Edward G. Robinson and Fredric March. This period of the industry is known as the Studio Era. Under the Studio System, actors frequently endured unfavorable treatment from the studios, which exercised complete control over their work and careers. Actors found themselves trapped in onerous multi-year contracts that not only limited their ability to participate in specific films, but also controlled their personal relationships. Actors were totally excluded from decisions regarding their working conditions, remuneration, and portrayal in the media.
The nascent years of SAG were characterized by arduous struggles for recognition and respect from the major studios. In due course, SAG became involved in numerous consequential labor disputes. Notably, one of its pivotal battles concerned residual payments for actors in television and film. Residual payments represent a percentage of the revenue generated by a film or TV show following its initial release or broadcast. Such payments guarantee that actors receive compensation when their performance is exhibited, and this is particularly crucial for actors who may not consistently book roles.
Likely the most significant labor dispute involving SAG took place in 1960 when the union went on strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture Producers (now the AMPTP). The main issue at the time was the union's demand for residual payments for actors when their work was shown in television reruns. This strike lasted for over three months and had a profound impact on all of the Hollywood unions’ collective bargain agreements with the studios. Eventually, the studios agreed to the demand, and it marked a turning point for actors' rights in the industry, securing residual payments as a standard practice.
In 2000, SAG faced another major strike, commonly known as the "Commercials Strike." The union went on strike against the American Association of Advertising Agencies, demanding better pay, residual payments, and improved working conditions for actors in television commercials. The strike lasted for 6 months and severely disrupted the production of commercials. Eventually, a settlement was reached that included increased residuals and other benefits for actors in commercials.
Another area of concern for SAG has been the issues of diversity and discrimination within the entertainment industry. As an ardent advocate, SAG has actively worked to foster greater diversity in casting and hiring practices while simultaneously combating workplace discrimination and harassment. These endeavors have encompassed the establishment of programs designed to promote diversity and inclusion, as well as the provision of resources for actors who encounter discrimination or harassment. In another major win for actors, the union announced intimacy coordinator accreditation and registry programs in April 2021, “as part of its ongoing efforts to normalize and encourage the use of intimacy coordinators.”
A milestone moment in SAG's history came in 2012 when it merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), thereby forming SAG-AFTRA. This amalgamation unified the two largest unions representing performers in the entertainment industry, endowing actors with an amplified voice during negotiations with the AMPTP and other employer groups. SAG-AFTRA continues to champion the rights and interests of actors and other talent in film, television, and related media. Its primary objective revolves around safeguarding the rights of its members.
More recently, in 2016, SAG-AFTRA faced a month-long strike against the video game industry. The union sought improved transparency, better residuals, and enhanced protection for voice actors in video game productions. The strike was primarily focused on ending the practice of "vocal stress" sessions, where voice actors would strain their voices for extended periods without proper breaks. Additionally, many actors have reported being given contracts without knowing the character or video game they’re working on. This can result in actors voicing sex scenes or dialogue with racial slurs without knowing beforehand. The strike resulted in the signing of a new agreement that addressed many of the union's concerns, including better compensation and improved working conditions for voice actors.
SAG-AFTRA remains dedicated to safeguarding the rights and interests of its members in the contemporary landscape. Serving as a representative body for actors and talent in film, television, and related media, it also strives to cultivate a thriving entertainment industry that benefits performers, producers, and audiences alike. With a formidable presence in the industry, SAG-AFTRA's storied history exemplifies the power of collective action and the importance of protecting workers' rights. From its emergence as a labor union to its current influential status, SAG-AFTRA has played an indispensable role in defending the rights of performers, contributing significantly to the industry's progress. As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, acknowledging and supporting SAG-AFTRA's pivotal role in safeguarding performers' rights remains imperative.
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Citations:
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. “SAG-AFTRA Background.” Sagawards.Com, SAG-AFTRA, 21 Jan. 2018, https://www.sagawards.org/files/sagawards/24sagawkit_sagaftra_final_0.pdf.
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. “History of Residuals.” SAG-AFTRA, https://www.sagaftra.org/membership-benefits/residuals/history-residuals. Accessed 2 June 2023.
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. “SAG-AFTRA Accredits Seven Intimacy Coordinator Training Programs.” SAG-AFTRA, 4 Mar. 2022, https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-accredits-seven-intimacy-coordinator-training-programs.
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. “SAG-AFTRA Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Merger of Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.” SAG-AFTRA, 30 Mar. 2022, https://www.sagaftra.org/sag-aftra-celebrates-10th-anniversary-merger-screen-actors-guild-and-american-federation-television#:~:text=In%20March%20of%202012%2C%20members,the%20lives%20of%20its%20members.
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. “1960s - SAG-AFTRA History.” SAG-AFTRA, https://www.sagaftra.org/about/our-history/1960s. Accessed 2 June 2023.
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. “1990s - SAG-AFTRA History.” SAG-AFTRA, https://www.sagaftra.org/about/our-history/1990s. Accessed 2 June 2023.
Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. “2000s - SAG-AFTRA History.” SAG-AFTRA, https://www.sagaftra.org/about/our-history/2000s. Accessed 2 June 2023.
Bates, James. “Actors Strike Over Fee System for Commercials - Los Angeles Times.” Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2000, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-may-02-mn-25766-story.html.
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