Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
Ever wonder what it takes to unionize your workplace, to improve working conditions, secure fair pay, and enhance the quality of life for everyone on the job?
SAG-AFTRA’s Maggie Russell-Brown and Josh Mendelsohn break down the three key phases of organizing, from forming a committee and building support to winning recognition and negotiating your first contract.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to start the organizing process and build a strong foundation
• What to expect during an NLRB election
• How to move from union recognition to your first contract
Featuring:
SAG-AFTRA National Director of Organizing Maggie Russell-Brown
SAG-AFTRA National Director of News & Broadcast and Senior Labor Counsel Josh Mendelsohn
If you have questions about organizing or want to learn more, please email us at organizing@sagaftra.org
0:00 – What Is Union Organizing? Introduction & Hosts
0:25 – Why Workers Unionize: Fair Pay, Safety & Better Conditions
1:18 – Overview of the Union Organizing Process (3 Key Phases)
1:28 – Phase 1: Underground Organizing, Committees & Majority Support
2:11 – Understanding Your Rights Under the NLRA & the NLRB Process
2:34 – Phase 2: Getting Union Recognition (Cards, Petitions & Employer Contact)
3:31 – Phase 3: NLRB Election, Winning the Vote & First Contract Bargaining
3:55 – Organizing Challenges: Employer Tactics, Risks & Building Trust
4:20 – How to Start Organizing With SAG-AFTRA
Subscribe: bit.ly/subSAGAFTRA | Make sure to enable ALL push notifications!
Watch our NEWEST videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1&index=2
Follow SAG-AFTRA:
Website: sagaftra.org/home
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftra
Instagram: instagram.com/sagaftra
Twitter: twitter.com/sagaftra
Watch more SAG-AFTRA:
Actor to Actor Interviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCH2A9ciqhchJRvXgFbhT0R&playnext=1
Events: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCY7OnjbhQXFMZespg2gUYd&playnext=1
Industry Panel Discussions: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDDRF2OQQJWAYmB47v0j_06&playnext=1
Latest Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1
Popular Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDXBxaZ40JAOrS4hyf97nUy&playnext=1
About SAG-AFTRA:
Welcome to the official SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel. On this channel, you’ll find a variety of informational, entertaining, and educational content, including interviews, industry panel discussions, celebrity events, actor to actor interviews, SAG Awards red carpet footage, award show bts, and more. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.
#SAGAFTRA
Ever wonder what it takes to unionize your workplace, to improve working conditions, secure fair pay, and enhance the quality of life for everyone on the job?
SAG-AFTRA’s Maggie Russell-Brown and Josh Mendelsohn break down the three key phases of organizing, from forming a committee and building support to winning recognition and negotiating your first contract.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to start the organizing process and build a strong foundation
• What to expect during an NLRB election
• How to move from union recognition to your first contract
Featuring:
SAG-AFTRA National Director of Organizing Maggie Russell-Brown
SAG-AFTRA National Director of News & Broadcast and Senior Labor Counsel Josh Mendelsohn
If you have questions about organizing or want to learn more, please email us at organizing@sagaftra.org
0:00 – What Is Union Organizing? Introduction & Hosts
0:25 – Why Workers Unionize: Fair Pay, Safety & Better Conditions
1:18 – Overview of the Union Organizing Process (3 Key Phases)
1:28 – Phase 1: Underground Organizing, Committees & Majority Support
2:11 – Understanding Your Rights Under the NLRA & the NLRB Process
2:34 – Phase 2: Getting Union Recognition (Cards, Petitions & Employer Contact)
3:31 – Phase 3: NLRB Election, Winning the Vote & First Contract Bargaining
3:55 – Organizing Challenges: Employer Tactics, Risks & Building Trust
4:20 – How to Start Organizing With SAG-AFTRA
Subscribe: bit.ly/subSAGAFTRA | Make sure to enable ALL push notifications!
Watch our NEWEST videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1&index=2
Follow SAG-AFTRA:
Website: sagaftra.org/home
Facebook: facebook.com/sagaftra
Instagram: instagram.com/sagaftra
Twitter: twitter.com/sagaftra
Watch more SAG-AFTRA:
Actor to Actor Interviews: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCH2A9ciqhchJRvXgFbhT0R&playnext=1
Events: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCY7OnjbhQXFMZespg2gUYd&playnext=1
Industry Panel Discussions: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDDRF2OQQJWAYmB47v0j_06&playnext=1
Latest Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaCFx0MPpBfI2p358aDL6g6N&playnext=1
Popular Videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-vEfc49ZyaDXBxaZ40JAOrS4hyf97nUy&playnext=1
About SAG-AFTRA:
Welcome to the official SAG-AFTRA YouTube channel. On this channel, you’ll find a variety of informational, entertaining, and educational content, including interviews, industry panel discussions, celebrity events, actor to actor interviews, SAG Awards red carpet footage, award show bts, and more. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. With national offices in Los Angeles and New York, and local offices nationwide, SAG-AFTRA members work together to secure the strongest protections for media artists into the 21st century and beyond.
#SAGAFTRA
