Updated: 10/04/2025 20:06:33
SAG-AFTRA
SAG‑AFTRA is the merged national union representing screen, television, radio and digital performers in the U.S., responsible for collective bargaining, member services, benefits advocacy and enforcement of performer protections. Its charitable arm, the SAG‑AFTRA Foundation, provides emergency financial aid, professional-development programs, labs and literacy initiatives. Recent bargaining cycles (notably 2023) focused on streaming compensation, protections and pay for AI/synthetic use, improved minimums for background performers, and stronger health and pension funding; a tentative agreement announced in November 2023 advanced many of those priorities and paused picketing while the deal is reviewed.
2023 Strike Context and Tentative Agreement
In 2023 members pursued improved streaming compensation, AI protections, and minimums; on Nov 9 a TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee announced a unanimously approved tentative agreement with the AMPTP reporting large wage/benefit gains, enhanced AI consent/compensation language, streaming participation bonuses, and pension/health increases — picketing was suspended pending Board review and member ratification guidance. [1]
Collective Bargaining and Key Contract Issues
SAG‑AFTRA negotiates contracts with producers (including the AMPTP) covering wages, residuals, working conditions, safety, and the contractual treatment of new media and technologies. Recent bargaining priorities included streaming residuals, fair pay for new media, and protections/compensation around AI and synthetic likenesses. [2]
Foundation Assistance Programs and Resources
Foundation programs include emergency financial aid, disaster relief funds, scholarship awards, and member support services; it also runs free career development programs and production labs that members and eligible participants can access or book at no/low cost. [3]
Health, Pension and Benefits Administration
Health and pension benefits are negotiated and administered through trust/plan entities established by collective bargaining; contract wins often include improved funding caps and contribution increases to strengthen member healthcare and retirement security. [4]
How to Join and Eligibility Paths
Paths to membership include principal credits, Taft‑Hartley (background hires reported by producers), and other qualifying work. Detailed initiation requirements, fees and eligibility rules are posted on the union’s membership pages and vary by work type and jurisdiction. [5]
How to Support the Foundation and Donor Options
Support options for the SAG‑AFTRA Foundation include one‑time donations, individual giving, corporate sponsorships, event participation, volunteering and planned giving; donors can find program calendars, transparency reports and contact resources on the Foundation site. [6]
Member Support, Strike Resources and Conduct Guidelines
During bargaining actions SAG‑AFTRA provided picket schedules, safety and conduct guidelines, strike‑assistance resources (financial and wellbeing), mechanisms to report strikebreaking, and tools for member organizing and outreach. [7]
Membership, Governance and Local Structure
The union has a large, voting membership (100k+–130k+ range cited publicly). Members elect national leadership, ratify contracts, sit on local committees, and use local offices for grievances and services; governance is delivered through an elected national board and local chapters. [8]
Public Policy Priorities: AI, Safety, Equity and Streaming
Ongoing union priorities include protecting performers from unconsented AI/synthetic use, improving streaming residual models and compensation, enhancing workplace safety and anti‑harassment measures, and advancing equity and inclusion in hiring and representation across media platforms. [9]
SAG Awards and Member Voting
The Screen Actors Guild Awards are member‑voted awards connected to SAG‑AFTRA’s membership; qualifying members participate in voting and the ceremony reflects priorities and visibility for performers represented by the union. [10]
SAG‑AFTRA Foundation: Role and Core Programs
The SAG‑AFTRA Foundation is the union’s 501(c)(3) charitable arm that provides emergency financial assistance, disaster relief, scholarships, free educational programs (The Business, Conversations), hands‑on labs (on‑camera, voiceover, computer), literacy initiatives (Storyline Online), and venue resources (Meryl Streep Center, Robin Williams Center). [11]
Training, Labs and Career Development
SAG‑AFTRA and its Foundation run professional development offerings—The Business, Casting Access, Conversations, on‑camera and voiceover labs, computer labs and workshops—intended to help performers develop skills, prepare for auditions and navigate the business side of the industry. [12]
Venues, Rentals and Production Resources
The Foundation maintains rentable and member resources such as the Meryl Streep Center and Robin Williams Center, voiceover booths and production equipment, providing affordable access for members and community programs. [13]
What SAG‑AFTRA Is and Its Mission
SAG‑AFTRA formed from the merger of SAG and AFTRA and functions as the national union that organizes performers, negotiates industrywide contracts, enforces member protections, and advocates on issues such as pay, safety, diversity and new‑technology protections. [14]
References:
Additional Sources:
15. SAG Awards (official) [https://www.sagawards.org]
16. SAG‑AFTRA (official) [https://www.sagaftra.org]
17. SAG‑AFTRA Foundation (official) [https://sagaftra.foundation]
18. SAG‑AFTRA Plans — Health & Pension (referenced) [https://www.sagaftraplans.org/]
19. SAG‑AFTRA strike site / tentative agreement resources [https://www.sagaftrastrike.org]