Unite For Strength

Unite for Strength was formed in 2008 by Hollywood Screen Actors Guild members concerned that SAG's leadership was creating division among performers and isolating the Guild, weakening its position in contract negotiations. Unite for Strength organizers were especially concerned with the Guild's repeated attacks on AFTRA, which resulted in the two unions negotiating the TV/Theatrical contract separately for the first time in over 25 years. In September 2008, a group of Unite for Strength members ran for the board of directors, to offer SAG members a new direction. UFS candidates won a majority of the available seats, with 5 being elected to the National Board and 13 to the Hollywood Division Board.

Unite for Strength members are a diverse group of SAG members who work in film and television, in commercials and animation, doing background work, motion capture, stunt coordination and voice-overs. While a few are newcomers and some are award-winning veterans, most are mid-career and depend on performing for their livelihoods. Some also apply their creativity to other areas, as active WGA writers and DGA directors, but they all look to the performers unions -- SAG, AFTRA and Equity- for protection at work, fair compensation, health insurance and the pension that will be so vital down the line.We have differing views on some issues, but we wholeheartedly agree on this defining premise:

To fight effectively, SAG and AFTRA must work side-by-side and ultimately merge to create one powerful performers' union.

That is the key to a stronger future and it is the purpose of Unite for Strength.

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