SAG-AFTRA Congratulates Liz Shuler on Becoming the First Woman Elected President of AFL-CIO

SAG-AFTRA, the nation's largest union for entertainment and broadcast professionals, congratulates Liz Shuler on becoming the first woman elected president of the AFL-CIO. The historic election took place Sunday at the 29th AFL-CIO Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. 

The election also marked another historic milestone: The election of Fred Redmond as the first Black Secretary-Treasurer of the union. AFL-CIO is a democratic, voluntary federation of 57 national and international labor unions that represent 12.5 million working men and women. With the election of these two dedicated leaders, AFL-CIO is even more reflective of the growing and evolving American labor movement and the workers they are representing. 

"Bravo to Liz Shuler, an inspiring leader who sets an example for me and for all women in the labor movement," said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. "She brings bold ideas and creativity to everything she does, and is a tireless advocate for every working person. SAG-AFTRA members have been well served by Liz's leadership over the past few years and we see a bright future as we continue our work together." 

SAG-AFTRA is an affiliate of AFL-CIO, and the two organizations have worked together over the years on a number of projects to benefit working Americans. Those include the annual Labor Innovation & Technology Summit, which brings together union, technology, entertainment and media leaders to discuss the future of work in the industry, and a number of legislative initiatives such as the PRO Act and the American Music Fairness Act.

Few leaders are as inclusive and thoughtful as Liz," said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. "Her place in the labor movement's history was already secure through her efforts to unify the labor community, fight for stronger labor laws at the federal level, and raise awareness for the ways changing technology is impacting workers. Her election as the first woman to lead the AFL-CIO is yet another historic milestone for inclusion she has achieved. We look forward to working with her to advance the interests of all SAG-AFTRA members and all working people." 

About SAG-AFTRA

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.