Los Angeles, (June 26, 2023) – SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher will seek re-election as the union’s top national officer. Current Secretary-Treasurer and long time National Board Member Joely Fisher will join Drescher and seek re-election for Secretary-Treasurer.

On the heels of rare, unanimous votes from both the TV/Theatrical Negotiating Committee and the National Board of Directors, the members of SAG-AFTRA delivered a powerful message to the industry with a commanding 98% strike authorization vote. 

Building on this solidarity, the two Los Angeles based groups have joined forces, mutually endorsing Drescher, Fisher, and an unprecedented allied slate of candidates vying for open positions on the national and Los Angeles local board, and as delegates to the sixth SAG-AFTRA National Convention. 

This unified group is committed to addressing the existential threats posed by unregulated use of AI and machine learning, residual formulas that don’t compensate performers fairly, unreasonable self-taping demands, and more.

President Drescher, who previously ran with Unite for Strength, shared, “This show of solidarity brings tears to my eyes. I have been running a nonpartisan admin, reaching across the aisle to represent and honor those member leaders who may not have supported me in 2021, but have now pledged to do so in 2023. We stand upon the precipice of a new dawn. And with this show of solidarity we have become all the more empowered.”

Secretary-Treasurer Fisher, who previously ran with MembershipFirst, remarked, “We are witnessing a paradigm shift. Fran has opened the door to unification—this collaboration will finally bring that to fruition.This comes at a time when the membership truly needs the full weight of their union fighting for their creative and economic ideals, not against each other. This most important and historic contract negotiation takes center stage.”

SAG-AFTRA members have never been more focused and united. As such, both Unite for Strength and MembershipFirst choose to seize this rare opportunity, come together to maximize our strength, and prove what we already know—that SAG-AFTRA is the world’s most powerful entertainment union.

A full list of candidates of the new unity slate will be announced by August 9th.

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