SAG-AFTRA National Convention Concludes

LOS ANGELES — The fifth SAG-AFTRA National Convention concluded Monday with members voting on resolutions and hearing speeches from the union’s top officers. The three-day event brought together 480 member delegates to vote on resolutions that establish and guide the union's priorities over the next two years. This year’s theme was “Virtual / Vital / Visionary.”

Saturday's convention agenda included a report from National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, who spoke about the union’s work over the previous two years, most specifically its response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent shutdown of the industry. Crabtree-Ireland not only praised the collaborative efforts to create safety guidelines such as the Return to Work Agreement and The Safe Way Forward, but the union’s continued collaboration with fellow sister unions, including the Directors Guild of America and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

“It was a big achievement to have all those unions sit down and create an industrywide agreement that let our members get back to work, and we’re already seeing long-term, positive effects from this. Our relationships with those unions are stronger than ever, and I believe this will translate directly into greater success at the bargaining table,” said Crabtree-Ireland, citing the union’s support of IATSE during its recent bargaining efforts with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers, and legislation such as the Free Artists from Industry Restrictions (FAIR) Act in California and the federal American Music Fairness Act. 

In closing remarks, SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher called for unity and inclusivity. She also took the opportunity to address discrimination and environmental concerns.

“I want to see more women in high places across all fronts. There must be women invited to every table or there cannot be fully realized success,” said Drescher. “Women offer an essential balance to any and every conversation. As women’s rights over their own bodies are being taken away through legislation, I once again look to our union to help by exemplifying gender equality.”

“We also have a tremendous responsibility to raise the bar on issues of diversity, equality and inclusion, to take a stand on environmental issues and shift our industry's waste paradigm towards significant reductions of its carbon footprint. We stand tall with a united, fearless show of strength, conviction, and innovation.”

Newly-elected Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair discussed industry changes due to evolving technologies and encouraged delegates to mentor the next generation of performers and to stand up and fight when needed.

“In a time when mega-mergers consolidate power into fewer and fewer hands, this union is as important as ever. Our industry is ever-changing; there are always new fights to fight. Some at the negotiating table, others in state capitol buildings and the halls of Congress,” said Whitehair. “In the coming years, as we take on the formidable challenges of advances in streaming, exclusivity, rights of publicity, diversity, equity and inclusion, and workplace safety, let us not forget that the union is both our sword and our shield — and let us never lose sight of the difference we make.”

In an impassioned speech, punctuated with humor, empathy and even a few lines from “There’s No Business Like Show Business," Secretary-Treasurer Joely Fisher outlined the goals of her tenure, including addressing the union’s financial health, its health care plan and negotiating power. 

Said Fisher, “My job is the stewardship of the financial solvency of this union and, to that end, I intend to serve with distinction. Know this: I stand in solidarity with each and every one of you … [and] ask that you stay strong, active and engaged as unionists. The momentum is with us, my union sisters, brothers and siblings. We are on the right side of history at the right time; we are in the middle of a great labor awakening. America is organizing, and we at SAG-AFTRA have the opportunity to be a beacon of hope to union members everywhere.” She also paid tribute to her friend and mentor the late Ed Asner, a stalwart unionist who died last month.

The convention officially adjourned following closing remarks.

Earlier in the convention, elections for officers took place and winners of the George Heller Memorial Award were announced. Sunday's activities concluded with a presentation of The American Scene Awards. 

Delegates also passed two constitutional amendments exemplifying the union’s continued commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. The first amendment will officially add Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts to the union’s objectives, and the second amendment will update SAG-AFTRA’s governing documents, including its Constitution, to eliminate gender-specific pronouns and replace with the gender-neutral pronouns “they,” “them” and “their.” 

Of the 40 resolutions considered, those passed included supporting journalists covering the coronavirus pandemic, continuing efforts to provide experienced Black hair and makeup artists on set and introducing a code of conduct for DEI practices in casting. Most notably, convention delegates resolved to increase the dues payable by high-earning members by increasing the maximum earnings on which members pay percentage work dues, examined ways to create a pathway to membership for intimacy coordinators. and condemned restrictive abortion laws, specifically the most recent "Heartbeat" mandates seen in States such as Texas.

The next biennial SAG-AFTRA convention will take place in 2023.

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.