HOW TO JOIN SAG-AFTRA
2 ways to gain “eligibility”:
Receive 3 union background vouchers (a union contract pay stub), OR
Work 1 union principal contract (acting, stunts, voiceover, etc.).
TAFT-HARLETY
The Taft-Hartley Act requires union productions to report the hiring of non-members to the union. Upon gaining union eligibility, a performer has 30 days to work union or non-union before becoming a “must join,” after which union productions are penalized for hiring them if they have not joined.
Other ways to join without “eligibility”:
Work 1 principal role or 3 BG on a 2017/2020 New Media project or SPA, or 3 principal roles in UPA, ULB, or Student Films.
The National Board deems you to be engaged in work that advances the general goals of SAG-AFTRA.
The Executive Committee approves a non-citizen application based on non-union work in their country of citizenship.
As a member of certain sister unions - specifics vary depending on their reciprocity agreement with SAG-AFTRA.
Initiation Fees & Dues - costs to join
The national initiation fee is currently $3,000 for members joining in the Los Angeles or New York Locals and lower in all other locals and for Broadcasters. Upon working in a local with a higher initiation fee you will be required to pay the difference between your home local initiation fee and the new local you are working in.
Dues are calculated based on your previous year’s earnings. 2021 annual base dues will be $222.96 plus 1.575% of 2020 covered earnings up to $500,000/yr., the Dues Cap, for maximum annual dues of $8,097.96 ($7,875 + $222.96)
*Broadcasters’ earnings for dues calculation capped at $250,000/yr. or $4,160.46 ($3,937.50 + $222.96)