Screen Actors Guild

Screen Actors Guild
source
Name	Screen Actors Guild
Founded	12 July 1933
Founders	Eddie Cantor, Ralph Morgan, Grant Mitchell, Charles Starrett
Location	Los Angeles, California, United States
Key people	Ken Howard (last president)

Screen Actors Guild. The Screen Actors Guild was a labor union representing film and television performers in the United States. Founded in 1933 in response to poor working conditions in Hollywood, it became a powerful force in negotiating contracts, setting industry standards, and protecting its members' rights. The union ultimately merged with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists in 2012 to form SAG-AFTRA.

History

The union was established on July 12, 1933, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, with early leaders including Eddie Cantor and Ralph Morgan. Its formation was a direct response to the exploitative practices of major film studios like Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Warner Bros., particularly during the Great Depression. A pivotal early victory was the recognition of the first collective bargaining agreement with the studios in 1937, negotiated with the assistance of the American Federation of Labor. Throughout the mid-20th century, it navigated challenges including the House Un-American Activities Committee investigations and the Hollywood blacklist. Significant later developments included the first strike in 1960 over residuals for films sold to television and the creation of its own prestigious awards ceremony in 1995.

Organization

The union was governed by a National Board of Directors elected from its membership, which included both high-profile actors and working performers. Day-to-day operations were managed by a paid executive team, including a National Executive Director, with major offices in Los Angeles and New York City. Key committees focused on areas such as contract negotiation, safety and health, and ethnic diversity. It was also a constituent member of the AFL–CIO and worked closely with other entertainment industry unions like the Directors Guild of America and the Writers Guild of America. The governance structure was designed to represent actors across all employment categories, from background performers to leading stars.

Membership

Membership was open to professional actors who met specific earnings thresholds from work under its contracts or through other qualifying criteria. The union represented a wide spectrum of performers, including those in motion pictures, primetime television, commercials, music videos, and new media. Notable members throughout its history included Katharine Hepburn, James Cagney, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks. It also maintained a separate category for stunt performers and had agreements covering background actors. Membership granted access to health insurance and pension plan benefits, with contributions funded by employer payments negotiated in collective bargaining agreements.

Awards

The union's awards ceremony, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, was inaugurated in 1995 to honor outstanding performances in film and television. The awards are unique as the only major ceremony where the winners are selected solely by actors' peers. Key categories include Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. The event also presents a Life Achievement Award to an individual who fosters the "finest ideals of the acting profession"; past recipients include Elizabeth Taylor, Clint Eastwood, and Julie Andrews. The awards are considered a significant indicator of success at the Academy Awards.

Labor Disputes

The union was involved in several major labor disputes throughout its history, primarily focused on securing fair residual payments and protections in emerging media. A landmark 1960 strike established the principle of residuals for films aired on television. Another significant strike occurred in 1980 over issues related to pay television and home video revenues. The most consequential modern dispute was the 2007–2008 strike authorization and subsequent negotiations, which centered on compensation for content distributed via the internet and digital media. These actions often required strategic coordination with the Writers Guild of America, particularly during the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike.

Merger with AFTRA

Discussions about merging with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists occurred for decades, driven by the desire to strengthen bargaining power in a converging media landscape. A previous merger attempt failed in 1999, but renewed efforts gained momentum in the late 2000s. Key issues included reconciling the different governance structures and contract jurisdictions of the two unions. After a membership vote in March 2012, the merger was finalized, forming SAG-AFTRA on March 30, 2012. The final president, Ken Howard, became the first co-president of the new union alongside AFTRA's Roberta Reardon. The merger created the largest entertainment union in the United States.

Category:Entertainment industry trade unions in the United States Category:Organizations based in Los Angeles Category:1933 establishments in California