The first board meeting of the Screen Actors Guild in 1933 (seated left to right) Alan Mowbray, Lucille Gleason, Boris Karloff, Ralph Morgan, Noel Madison, (standing left to right) Kenneth Thompson, James Gleason, Ivan Simpson, Richard Tucker, Clay Clement, Claude King, Alden Gay Thomson, Bradley Page,Morgan Wallace, Arthur Vinton
When the guild was formed in 1933, actors were lucky to be paid $15 for a long day or $66 for a 6 day week. Unregulated hours and working conditions were even worse than the pay. In March of that year, producers decreed a 50% pay cut for all actors under studio contracts. With no organization or collective bargaining power, the actors took the cut.
As a result of that action by producers, a small group of Hollywood actors met to consider forming a self governed guild of motion picture actors, one that would give performers a unified voice. Articles of Incorporation were filed in Sacramento in June of 1933. A four year struggle for union recognition and a contract with producers followed.
In 1937, after affiliating with the American Federation o Labor, the early members of the Screen Actors Guild voted to strike, if necessary. to achieve union recognition. With over 95% of the major stars of that time ready to walk off the job, the producers buckled, and on May 9, 1937, SAG signed its first contract governing wages and working conditions for actors in feature films.
Since then, through collective bargaining with producers, SAg has created a new and better working environment for performers by establishing regular working hours, meal periods, a five day week and premium pay for working overtime, Sunday, and holidays.
The Screen Actors Guild was founded in Hollywood in 1933. Approximately 50% of the current membership lives in the Los Angeles area. New York at 25% has the second largest concentration of members. The remaining 25% of members is spread over Florida, Chicago, San Fransico, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Boston, Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Nashville, New Mexico, Phoenix, Portland, Purto Rico, San Diego, Seattle, Utah and the Carolinas.
SAG currently represents 90,000 professional actors and performing artists working nationwide in theatrical features and television films, primetime television programs, TV commercials, interactive multimedia productions, infomaercials, industrial and educational films, student and experimental films, and music videos.
For more information on SAG activities, organization and history, contact the National Communications Dept. at (323) 549-6653 or FAX (323) 549-6656
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD
5757 WILSHIRE BLVD.
LOS ANGELES, CA. 90036-3600
(323) 954-1600
