Originally published at: https://geektherapy.org/sag-aftra-2025-national-convention-concludes/
Author: Newsroom
Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 27, 2025) — The 2025 SAG-AFTRA National Convention concluded today with moving speeches from the union’s top officers. The three day event, under the theme of “Connect, Engage, Empower,” brought together member delegates to vote for their national vice presidents and to discuss, debate and ultimately take action on resolutions that will guide the union’s priorities over the next two years.
In closing remarks, SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin urged delegates to take the inspiration and achievements they made at the convention back to the membership in the union’s 25 locals.
Astin said, “In a time when the industry is transforming, it is remarkable that more than 400 members put their names on a ballot to be elected to this body and attend this convention. They gave unstintingly of their time over three days of meticulous, thoughtful and careful work on important resolutions designed to take us into the next phase of our union. We debated and discussed 22 member-authored resolutions and the delegation passed 17 of them. Each resolution was drafted with the passionate attention and support of numerous member leaders, all with the aim of enhancing operations and improving member service.
“The elections resulted in a national officer team that is passionate, dedicated and responsive to the delegation and the membership at large. I look forward to working with Executive Vice President Linda Powell, Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Hurd and our seven geographic and category vice presidents. Together, we are poised to take our union to the next level and I am thrilled to be working with this leadership team.
“SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland provided a deeply thoughtful presentation on operations and added immense insight and critical context to issues confronting our members and our industry. His presentation on A.I. was comprehensive and farsighted, and we are so fortunate to have him leading our staff and operations.”
The president spoke about a wide range of important issues the union will be addressing in the coming months, including expanding our relationship with talent agents, ensuring casting platforms are accessible to performers and ongoing legislative advocacy to help improve the federal and statewide policies that shape our work, our industry and the world.
Astin continued, “What we heard over the last two days came through loud and clear and inspired the delegation to move forward confidently in the future. We will improve the board’s oversight functions and move our union forward. Coming away from this extraordinary convention is the moment that we turn the page — to a new sense of optimism in a difficult time and to fully realize all that our union is capable of.”
Astin and Crabtree-Ireland both noted that convention resolutions matter. When a delegate brings a resolution to the body, it means something. It is consequential. The union is prepared to go into the next two years prepared and armed with member support and solidarity ready for the next TV/Theatrical/Streaming negotiations in 2026.
In closing his remarks, President Astin made a special appeal to the delegates to take what they learned back to their local constituents and urge them to participate in W&Ws — the union’s contract informational sessions known as wages and working conditions.
“You leave here with memories and a mission,” he said. “ Bring your members to our wages and working conditions meetings so we can hear about their experiences and concerns directly from them.”
In his report to the convention, delivered Sunday, Oct. 26, Crabtree-Ireland discussed legislative progress, including support for the federal NO FAKES Act and other bills across the nation designed to protect performers’ rights and ensure fair treatment in an evolving digital landscape. He also spoke on the creation of the Success Bonus Distribution Fund, the first-ever secondary source of income for union performers working on successful made-for-streaming shows. This year saw several major contract achievements, including the new Interactive Media Agreement, which, after a nearly year-long strike, secured significant gains and critical A.I. protections, the Telemundo contract and the updated Commercials Contract. Additional progress included new agreements with Nickelodeon, the updated Network Television Code, a tentative agreement on the Corporate/Educational and Non-Broadcast Contract, and the introduction of the New Verticals Program Agreement.
“The union intends to ensure that human-centered creativity continues to flourish in the age of A.I. Our contracts will ensure members are always compensated for the use of their work, and our legislative strategy aims to make sure no one can use an individual’s likeness or voice without consent,” said Crabtree-Ireland, citing the union’s legislative and advocacy work on federal and state A.I. protections, production incentives and initiatives to secure fair compensation for performers across all sectors.
Newly re-elected Executive Vice President Linda Powell discussed the evolving impact of technology on the industry and encouraged delegates to use their leadership roles to educate, mentor and mobilize fellow members.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue collaborating with our brother and sister unions to do everything we can to make sure that workers’ voices are included in the creation of the unknown new normal that we all know is rising up around us,” said Powell. “All of us, every one of us, whether elected or rank and file, should be part of that effort. Because we’re storytellers. We can use our voices,our platforms and our work to amplify the need to center humanity in our society.”
Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Hurd addressed the convention with moving personal stories from her lifelong connection to the arts and activism, outlining her priorities for the union’s financial health, healthcare and negotiating strength. She encouraged members to approach union business and engage with each other with empathy and understanding.
Said Hurd, “As I take on the awesome responsibility of being SAG-AFTRA’s secretary-treasurer, I’m not interested in the drama of the past; I’m focused on finding solutions. I am proud to say that SAG-AFTRA has not only weathered that storm, but we have done better than most. Times of change can be difficult, but they often open the doors to new opportunities. While I know the coming years won’t be easy, I’m optimistic about our future, the recovery of the industry and the continued growth of our union.”
The convention officially adjourned at 5:00 p.m. PT
Earlier in the convention, elections for national 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.
The next biennial SAG-AFTRA convention will take place in 2027.