As a stuntman with over 35 years of experience, Stanton Barrett is a member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union.
 
"I've been able to see the transition in our contracts and our rights from the last 35 years," Barrett said.  "It just keeps dwindling down."
 
Barrett and the union's 160 thousand members are now bracing for a change in leadership.
 
"I'm worried," he said.  "I worked 38 years. I've [beaten] myself up.  I've risked my life.  I've done some really huge stunts.  I've put in my time, and I'm worried about my pension."
 
After serving as SAG-AFTRA president for four years, Fran Drescher recently announced that she will not seek another term, leaving the union's top position up for grabs.
 
"I think the union really needs reformed," SAG-AFTRA presidential candidate Chuck Slavin.  "For me, it's a situation where I see all these issues in our union that need [to be] resolved, and I just don't see that we are going to get there with the political parties."
 
Slavin is one of two candidates seeking the position of SAG-AFTRA national president.
 
He's running in opposition to what he describes as the status quo, and hopes to address health and pension issues for union members.
 
"90 percent of our union is not earning a pension and health," Slavin said.  "That's a problem.  I don't know another union; every union would look at that like they are basic employment rights.  Those are situations where every single member should have the ability or just the opportunity to try to make that money."
 
Slavin is also pushing for better residuals and stronger artificial intelligence protections for union members.
 
"I think those are the things in this future that we need to be really focused on, is trying to find ways to go with technology, but also earning a living," he said.  "If technology overtakes us, there is nothing left."
 
Slavin's opponent is Rudy and Lord of the Rings actor Sean Astin.
 
Astin is running on a slate known as Coalition 2025, which aims to address similar issues.
 
In 2023, the union went on strike for 118 days, seeking AI protections and better compensation from streaming services for performers.
 
During the strike, Astin served on the negotiation committee.
 
Erie News Now's attempts to reach Astin for an interview were met with no response.
 
Peter Antico is running for SAG-AFTRA secretary-treasurer alongside Slavin.
 
"The business practices of SAG-AFTRA are lacking, and they need someone in there that actually understands finance capital investment," Antico said.  "I want all actors protected.  Only 10 percent of members out of 160,000 earn health care.  That's the lowest in history.  How do you think you have a successful union? Contracts are a function of economics.  You have to look at the pension and health."
 
SAG-AFTRA members have until Sept. 13 to vote.
 
Whoever wins will be responsible for leading the union as it begins another round of negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers next year.