When Did Film Worker Unions Start?

Film worker unions have been a large part of the filmmaking industry for several years. With a number of unions providing support to film crew workers in various ways. Negotiating everything from health insurance and retirement plans to pension, compensation, and safe working environments, film workers unions offer collective bargaining that assists these groups in attaining the desired goals. But, when did film worker unions start?

The First Film Workers Union

The very first film workers union to start leading the way in the film industry was the IATSE which stands for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Although this is certainly not the first union ever, it is the first union for the film industry and it began representing filmmakers and crew in New York City as far back as the mid 1880s. At the time, the film was facing what was collectively known as the Vaudeville-era on Broadway.

The Second Film Workers Union

While the first film workers union started in the 1880s, the next film workers unions would begin forming in the 1900s. The second film workers union was formed in 1903, it would be known as The Teamsters Union.

The Teamsters Union was known as one of the most diverse labor unions to represent film production and it was one of the strongest, although it wasn’t specifically a film production union as it would represent industries across the United States.

Film Unions Post Silent-Era

By the end of the Silent-Era, film unions would be prominent in the industry with several others entering. In fact, the SAG, DGA, PGA and other film unions would be introduced to the industry by the 1930s.

What are these unions?

• SAG – Screen Actors Guild
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• DGA – Directors Guild of America
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• PGA – Producers Guild of America

A Summary

Ultimately, SAG would come to be known as SAG-AFTRA. Which stands for Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

The combination of two unions which were formed in the 1930s to fight for media artist protections. And later opted to work together for the shared mission of fighting for media artist protections.

So, when did film worker unions start? Technically film unions began in the 1880s but they became more popularized with the growth of the Silent Film Era.

Which would result in several additional film unions coming to light by the 1930s. Many of which are still prominent in the film industry today.