SAG-AFTRA Leaders, Members Advocate for Industry Workers at National Solidarity Rally

SAG-AFTRA, alongside the WGA and AFL-CIO, commemorated Aug. 22 with a “national day of solidarity” with a number of high-profile rallies and demonstrations across the country. 

In Los Angeles, the three organizations were joined by other unions and leaders, including the Teamsters and IATSE, for a rally at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, a regular strike location in Hollywood. It was the largest demonstration by SAG-AFTRA and WGA on the West Coast to date, with between 2,000 to 5,000 members and allies in attendance. Among the union leaders who spoke at the event were SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher, National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Teamsters Secretary-Treasurer Lindsay Doughtery, along with SAG-AFTRA members Kerry Washington and Ron Perlman. 

Keynote remarks emphasized the importance of the continued solidarity between the WGA and SAG-AFTRA during their concurrent strike actions and noted that the current uptick in worker unity across other industries is indicative of needed change. 

“The eyes of the world are watching, but more importantly, the American worker is watching. And, like us, they are saying, ‘Enough.’ Enough to low wages that don’t keep up with inflation. Enough to unsafe work conditions. Enough to dehumanizing technology. Enough to devaluing our work. Make no mistake, we are at a crossroads. The very existence of our jobs is at stake,” said Fisher.

A concurrent demonstration took place at Disney Studios’ New York office branch in Manhattan, where SAG-AFTRA New York Local Member Ezra Knight spoke to reporters. 

“Literally the world is watching, and the worldwide support that we’ve gotten has been nothing less than enthusiasm-building, resolve-inducing solidarity and support,” he said.  

Union members showed their support across the nation, at other rallies in Anchorage, Alaska; Chicago; Detroit; Los Gatos, California; Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon; Rutland, Vermont; Seattle; and Atlanta, where AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler spoke.  

Aug. 22 marked SAG-AFTRA’s 40th day since declaring a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on July 14. Since then, union offices across the country have held public pickets, rallies and other demonstrations in major cities. Meanwhile, the WGA strike crossed its 100-day mark on Aug. 9.  

For strike news and event updates, visit sagaftrastrike.org. 

Top photo: SAG-AFTRA NED Duncan Crabtree-Ireland speaks to the crowd at the National Day of Solidarity