The SAA was established on 3 September 1944 by Houphouët-Boigny and the colonial administration at an inaugural meeting in Abidjan.[1] Under his presidency, it brought together African farmers who were dissatisfied with their paychecks and worked to protect their interests against those of European settlers.[2][3] Anti-colonialist and anti-racist, the organisation demanded better working conditions, higher wages, and the abolition of unfree labour.[1] The union quickly received the support of nearly 20,000 plantation workers.[1] Its success irritated the colonists to the extent that they took legal action against Houphouët.[4] However, the SAA increased his popularity as the voice of the Africans.[3]