Improving the lives of members is SAG-AFTRA’s No. 1 mission, but most of that advocacy occurs outside of public view. That’s why, when Fast Company, one of the world’s premiere business journals, selected SAG-AFTRA as one of its Top 10 Most Innovative Film and Television Companies, it was a tremendous honor.
Fast Company recognizes that SAG-AFTRA is making an essential impact on the entertainment industry through advocacy and breaking down barriers to create positive change that not only supports and protects members, but also reflects the union’s culture as a whole. SAG-AFTRA is fighting every day for a future that is fairer, more supportive and more equitable to union members.
SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland reiterated that mission when accepting Fast Company’s prestigious accolade.
“SAG-AFTRA is honored to be recognized for our efforts to protect people working in television, film and media at such a pivotal moment for these industries,” he said.
The publication lauded the union’s efforts to protect members and help them thrive during difficult times, including calling out the Return to Work Agreement.
“When disruptive changes roiled the entertainment industry, SAG-AFTRA took major steps to shield its members,” they wrote. “It’s creative initiatives like these that earned SAG-AFTRA a spot on Fast Company’s list.”
SAG-AFTRA is the first union ever honored by Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative Companies list, which selects organizations that “play an essential role in addressing the most pressing issues facing society.” Some of the milestones from the past few years include:
- RETURNING CREATORS TO WORK - SAG-AFTRA worked with the DGA, IATSE, Teamsters, the Basic Crafts, and AMPTP to evolve the Return to Work Agreement. The protocols kept members safe and working, and allowed SAG-AFTRA to cover more than 77,000 jobs in the first four months of 2021 than in 2020, representing a growth of more than $140 million in earnings.
- DEVELOPING GROUNDBREAKING PROGRAMS TO HELP GROW THE INTIMACY COORDINATOR PROFESSION - After announcing the Standards & Protocols for the Use of Intimacy Coordinators, SAG-AFTRA unveiled the first industrywide accreditation for intimacy coordinator training programs and a registry that creates a pipeline of these professionals.
- A NEW SEXUAL HARASSMENT REPORTING TOOL - SAG-AFTRA released a reporting platform, SAG-AFTRA Safe Place, which allows members to report harassment right from their smartphones, and a new reporting platform at sagaftrasafeplace.org.
- BRINGING RESIDUAL PAYMENTS INTO THE DIGITAL AGE - SAG-AFTRA initiated a direct deposit process that automates the residuals payment process, saving money on labor and creating a more efficient and reliable system. Approximately 25,000 members have enrolled for direct deposit and $500 million in residuals have been processed.
- MAKING IT EASIER FOR CASTING DIRECTORS TO CLEAR SAG-AFTRA MEMBERS FOR WORK - The union’s online Cast Clearance Portal drastically reduces the time it takes to clear performers. Since its launch, more than 35,000 performers have been cleared online for work, representing 45% of the total clearances completed.
- CONVENING THE LABOR INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT - SAG-AFTRA joined with the AFL-CIO to found the Labor Innovation & Technology Summit, hosting an annual series of workshops that center around humane technology in the attention economy and the future of work.
- WORKING TO MAKE ENTERTAINMENT MORE INCLUSIVE - SAG-AFTRA hosted a weeklong series of virtual events to help identify, understand and combat discrimination in the entertainment and media industry.
This item was originally featured in the SAG-AFTRA magazine spring 2022 issue.