SAG-AFTRA OVER THE YEARS

Milestone moments for the union and its membership

SAG membership surges to over 5,000 individuals, compared with 54 in 1933 1935

1966

1937

The American Federation of Radio Artists (AFRA) is founded, with Eddie Cantor as its first national president

July 12, 1933

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is formed, with Ralph Morgan as its first president

March 10, 1947

Warner Bros. movie star and future U.S. president Ronald Reagan becomes SAG president after a nomination from Gene Kelly Joyce Gordon is elected in New York, making her the first female president of a SAG branch

1970

SAG and IATSE announce a lowerbudget “Comeback Contract” to alleviate the 42% unemployment rate, a “near depression” in Hollywood

An agreement is reached that ends the strike, but disappointing results inspire renewed conversations about a merger between SAG and AFTRA

Oct. 23, 1980

A first-ever SAG/AFTRA merger referendum is mailed to the unions’ respective memberships, and affiliates begin promoting the pro-merger slogan “Times have changed; so must we” 1998

In light of Time’s Up and the growing #MeToo movement, the National Board enacts a Code of Conduct on Sexual Harassment to Advance Equity as part of its Four Pillars of Change Feb. 23, 2018

June 21–22, 1980

The SAG/AFTRA TV-Theatrical Strike begins in response to profit disagreements for performers in pay TV, video discs, and video cassettes. “An Evening of Stars” with Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, and many others later raises and distributes $500,000 for impacted SAG members

1985

SAG establishes the Screen Actors Guild Foundation (later the SAG-AFTRA Foundation), a nonprofit organization providing assistance and resources to union members

Feb. 25, 1995

The first Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards are televised from Stage 12 at Universal Studios

Sept. 2, 2021

Fran Drescher is elected president of SAG-AFTRA

March 30, 2012

SAG and AFTRA finally merge after 13 years of negotiations