History of SAG-AFTRA in Timeline

SAG-AFTRA is an American labor union representing approximately 170,000 media professionals globally. Formed in 2012 through a merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, it advocates for its members' rights and interests within the entertainment industry. The union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the International Federation of Actors, solidifying its position within the broader labor movement and international entertainment community.

1933: First president of SAG

In 1933, SAG had its first president.

1937: First president of AFTRA

In 1937, AFTRA had its first president.

1960: Previous SAG-AFTRA and WGA strike

In 1960, there was a previous strike when both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA striked at the same time.

1980: The 1980 Emmy Awards strike

In 1980, the Emmy Awards strike lasted 95 days.

1980: Previous actors strike

In 1980, there was a previous actors strike.

1995: Founding of the Screen Actors Guild Awards

In 1995, the Screen Actors Guild Awards were founded to recognize outstanding performances in movie and primetime television.

1999: Initial Agreement with BBH

In 1999, SAG-AFTRA first agreed on a contract with Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH).

2000: The 2000 commercials strike

In 2000, there was a commercials strike.

2009: Ken Howard Becomes SAG President

In 2009, Ken Howard became the President of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

March 30, 2012: Merger of SAG and AFTRA

On March 30, 2012, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists officially merged, forming SAG-AFTRA.

2012: Number of SAG and AFTRA Presidents

As SAG, there were 28 presidents from 1933 to 2012. As AFTRA there were 22 presidents from 1937 to 2012.

2012: Ken Howard Becomes First SAG-AFTRA President

In 2012, Ken Howard, who had been the President of SAG since 2009, became the first president of SAG-AFTRA, the merged entity of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. He also served as co-president with Roberta Reardon from 2012 to 2013.

2012: SAG-AFTRA Formation

In 2012, the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) was formed by the merger of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

2012: Joining of health care and pension plans

In 2012, the merger of SAG and AFTRA was followed by the joining of each former union's health care and pension plans.

January 2013: Merger proceeding with few bumps

In January 2013, Variety reported that the merger of SAG and AFTRA had proceeded with "few bumps", amid shows of good will on both sides. The stickiest remaining problem was reported to be the merger of the two pension funds.

2013: Ken Howard Ends Co-Presidency

In 2013, Ken Howard ended his co-presidency with Roberta Reardon, a position he held since the 2012 merger.

April 2014: Honorable withdrawals constituted the largest portion of inactive members

In April 2014, "Honorable withdrawals" constituted the largest portion of inactive members, at 20% of the total membership, or 46,934 members; "suspended payment" members were the second-largest, at 14%, or 33,422 members.

2014: Expiration of the Interactive Media Agreement

In late 2014, the Interactive Media Agreement between SAG-AFTRA and video game developers expired, leading to negotiations and eventually a strike in 2016.

February 2015: Negotiations begin for Interactive Media Agreement

In February 2015, SAG-AFTRA began negotiations to replace the Interactive Media Agreement, which later led to a strike in 2016 due to unresolved issues.

February 9, 2016: SAG-AFTRA Claims Against NBCUniversal

On February 9, 2016, SAG-AFTRA claimed that NBCUniversal, Telemundo's parent company, was operating under a double standard between its Spanish-language and English-language talent at NBC and Telemundo.

February 13, 2016: SAG-AFTRA Allegations Against Telemundo

On February 13, 2016, SAG-AFTRA added that Telemundo had been treating its employees like "second-class professionals" due to a lack of basic workplace guarantees such as fair pay, water breaks, health insurance, and residuals.

March 2016: Telemundo performers vote to unionize

In March 2016, the National Labor Relations Board administered a secret vote amongst 124 Telemundo performers, and SAG-AFTRA announced that 81% of eligible voters chose to unionize.

August 2016: Telemundo Refuses to Air SAG-AFTRA Ad

In August 2016, Telemundo refused to air an ad placed by SAG-AFTRA detailing the unfair wage gap and lack of benefits Telemundo employees face, unlike unionized performers at NBCUniversal. The ad was set to air during Premios Tu Mundo.

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October 21, 2016: SAG-AFTRA strike against video game developers begins

On October 21, 2016, SAG-AFTRA initiated a strike against eleven American video game developers and publishers over contract negotiations, transparency, vocal stress prevention, safety assurances, and residuals.

2016: Gabrielle Carteris Succeeds Ken Howard

In 2016, Gabrielle Carteris succeeded Ken Howard as President of SAG-AFTRA, following his death.

April 23, 2017: SAG-AFTRA video game strike becomes the longest in SAG history

As of April 23, 2017, the SAG-AFTRA video game strike became the longest strike within SAG, surpassing the 95-day 1980 Emmy Awards strike, and the 2000 commercials strike.

September 23, 2017: Agreement reached, ending SAG-AFTRA strike

On September 23, 2017, an agreement was reached, bringing an end to the 340-day SAG-AFTRA strike against video game developers.

July 12, 2018: SAG-AFTRA and Telemundo Reach Tentative Agreement

On July 12, 2018, SAG-AFTRA announced a first-ever tentative agreement with Telemundo Television Studios covering Spanish-language television performers, after fifteen months of negotiations.

September 20, 2018: SAG-AFTRA strike against BBH

On September 20, 2018, SAG-AFTRA initiated a strike against the global advertising agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) after the company announced they would no longer honor their contract with SAG-AFTRA.

2018: BBH withdraws from SAG-AFTRA contract

In 2018, Bartle Bogle Hegarty (BBH) withdrew from their contract with SAG-AFTRA, citing competitive disadvantage due to contractual terms.

July 20, 2019: End of strike against BBH

On July 20, 2019, SAG-AFTRA ended its 10-month strike against BBH after the advertising agency agreed to sign the union's new commercials contract.

September 2021: Fran Drescher Becomes President

In September 2021, Fran Drescher from the Unite for Strength faction, became the President of SAG-AFTRA.

2021: Renewal of agreement with Telemundo

In 2021, the agreement between SAG-AFTRA and Telemundo Television Studios was renewed, with a few further adjustments.

May 2023: Launch of the Green Council Initiative

In May 2023, SAG-AFTRA, in partnership with the Motion Picture Association of America and other unions, launched the Green Council Initiative to promote environmentally responsible entertainment.

June 2023: Strike authorization vote and actor's letter

In June 2023, SAG-AFTRA voted to authorize a strike if an agreement was not reached with major Hollywood studios by June 30. Also that month, over 1,000 actors signed a letter threatening to strike over issues including residuals, streaming data metrics, self-tape auditions, and AI usage.

July 10, 2023: SAG-AFTRA lays out strike rules

On July 10, 2023, SAG-AFTRA laid out potential strike rules, including no shoots, no press, and no social media promos. The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers claimed SAG-AFTRA was distorting negotiations, despite offering a deal including over $1 billion in increased salaries, pensions, and health insurance, as well as AI protections.

September 2023: Fran Drescher Re-elected

In September 2023, Fran Drescher was re-elected as President of SAG-AFTRA.

November 9, 2023: End of SAG-AFTRA Strike

On November 9, 2023, the SAG-AFTRA strike came to an end after lasting almost four months.

2023: Drescher's Political Slate

In 2023, Sean Astin, who was later elected president in 2025, was a member of Fran Drescher's political slate and negotiating committee.

July 26, 2024: SAG-AFTRA Strike Against Video Game Developers Begins

On July 26, 2024, SAG-AFTRA initiated a labor strike against video game developers signed to the Interactive Media Agreement. Approximately 2,600 people employed in the video game industry for voice acting, motion capture, and related work participated in the strike.

2024: Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against SAG-AFTRA Health Plan

In 2024, a proposed class action lawsuit was filed against the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan for negligence, subsequent to a cyberattack resulting in a data breach.

June 11, 2025: SAG-AFTRA suspends strike against video game developers

On June 11, 2025, SAG-AFTRA suspended the strike against video game developers. SAG-AFTRA members were given notice to return to work on productions that fall under the IMA.

July 9, 2025: Tentative Agreement Ratified, Officially Ending the Strike

On July 9, 2025, the tentative agreement was ratified with 95.04% of the votes in favor, officially ending the SAG-AFTRA strike against video game developers.

August 8, 2025: Drescher Will Not Seek Re-Election

On August 8, 2025, it was revealed that Fran Drescher would not seek re-election to another term as SAG-AFTRA president.

August 13, 2025: Voting Begins for New President

On August 13, 2025, voting began to elect the new SAG-AFTRA president, with Sean Astin and Chuck Slavin as candidates.

August 2025: Settlement Reached in Lawsuit Against SAG-AFTRA Health Plan

In August 2025, the lawsuit against the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, which was filed after a cyberattack and data breach, resulted in a settlement by the union and its members.

September 12, 2025: Sean Astin Elected President

On September 12, 2025, Sean Astin was elected president of SAG-AFTRA, and Michelle Hurd was elected secretary-treasurer.

July 13: SAG-AFTRA announces strike

On July 13, SAG-AFTRA announced its television, theatrical, and streaming contract with the alliance had expired and the negotiating committee had voted unanimously to strike, with the strike beginning on July 14. This marked the first strike involving actors in film and television since 1980, and the first time since 1960 that both SAG-AFTRA and the WGA would strike simultaneously.