I can assure you that the majority of SAG actors are working service jobs, living hand to mouth. This isn't an example of the rich lording over the plebs, this is an example of a union doing right by its members.
Quite an interesting concept though that their rates don't seem to up no matter if you just get by or make millions...
In the case of a properly functioning public healthcare system, I totally buy and support it, though.
The difference is, I think, in the word "insurance". If a USAn doesn't pay for health insurance, they have to pay for healthcare. I don't particularly know how Germany's system works, but I'd assume that non-payment of taxes, while it probably has other repercussions, does not preclude receiving healthcare.
The Biggest tech union on the UK just merged with BECTU (the eqvielent of IATSE)
You could work in the industry for years and never get in. Others get lucky and get in within a few months. A lot of people are SAG Eligible but can't afford the initial fees to get in.
It's not like a standard union where you show up to work every day for months and you are in. Non-union basically do the exact same thing as union folk, but get paid less per hour. In contrast, there is a budget limit to how many SAG workers can be on set, so while your hourly is higher, the quantity of work you have is much lower.
Most SAG members are background extras, who don't earn very much money, and can't work more if they wanted to.
Definitely not the union you'd want to emulate. Film and TV actors are all temporary workers.