Here’s a look at the Screen Actors Guild. In 2012, a merger was completed between the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). The SAG-AFTRA labor union has approximately 160,000 members.
SAG Timeline
June 30, 1933 - Articles of incorporation are filed. The guild is formed to get better working conditions for actors.
1935 - Granted an American Federation of Labor charter.
May 1937 - In order to prevent a strike, producers sign a contract with the guild ensuring minimum pay and recognizing the guild.
1952 - The Guild signs its first contracts for filmed television programs.
December 1, 1952-February 18, 1953 - SAG strikes over filmed television commercials.
August 5-15, 1955 - SAG strike for increased television show residuals.
March 7, 1960-April 18, 1960 - SAG strikes over residuals for feature films sold, licensed, or released to television.
December 19, 1978-February 7, 1979 - SAG strikes for better residuals on television advertisements.
July 21, 1980-October 23, 1980 - SAG goes on strike over distribution of profits from pay television and video cassettes.
March 21, 1988-April 15, 1988 - SAG and AFTRA television commercials strike. The strike is over payment for commercials appearing on cable TV.
February 25, 1995 - The first annual Screen Actors Guild Awards show is held.
May 1, 2000-October 30, 2000 - SAG and AFTRA strike against the advertising industry over commercial work compensation for basic cable and internet.
July 1, 2008 - SAG’s TV/theatrical agreement expires.
November 22, 2008 - Talks between SAG and the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) end after federal mediation fails to jumpstart a five-month stalemate.
January 26, 2009 - SAG chief negotiator Doug Allen is fired in a bid by the union’s moderate faction to re-enter contract talks with the studios.
April 19, 2009 - SAG leadership split 53% - 47% to accept a new two-year contract with AMPTP.
June 9, 2009 - Members ratify the two-year contract covering television and motion pictures.
January 29, 2012 - Ken Howard, president of the guild, announces during the SAG Awards, that the merger between SAG and AFTRA has been approved by both groups.
March 30, 2012 - The merger of SAG and AFTRA is completed with more than 80% approval from both unions. The one union is named SAG-AFTRA.
January 27, 2013 - The first SAG Awards are held under the union banner “SAG-AFTRA One Union.”
March 23, 2016 - SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard dies. Executive Vice President Gabrielle Carteris assumes his duties until the regularly scheduled national board meeting April 9.
February 10, 2018 - SAG-AFTRA introduces new guidelines for members, called “Four Pillars of Change,” aimed at fighting sexual harassment in the workplace.
July 14, 2023 - SAG-AFTRA goes on strike after talks with major studios and streaming services have failed. It is the first time its members have stopped work since 1980. On November 8, SAG-AFTRA and the studios reach a tentative agreement, officially ending the strike at midnight.
SAG Presidents
Ralph Morgan 1933, 1938-1940
Eddie Cantor 1933-1935
Robert Montgomery 1935-1938, 1946-1947
Edward Arnold 1940-1942
James Cagney 1942-1944
George Murphy 1944-1946
Ronald Reagan 1947-1952, 1959-1960
Walter Pidgeon 1952-1957
Leon Ames 1957-1958
Howard Keel 1958-1959
George Chandler 1960-963
Dana Andrews 1963-1965
Charlton Heston 1965-1971
John Gavin 1971-1973
Dennis Weaver 1973-1975
Kathleen Nolan 1975-1979
William Schallert 1979-1981
Ed 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 2009-2016
Gabrielle Carteris-2016-2021
Fran Drescher 2021-present
