SAG, AFTRA tout merger progress

Intends to merge Hollywood's two greatest artist unions stick to track as reps from the Screen Stars Guild and also the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists continue focusing on The month of january for finishing your final proposal. SAG and AFTRA released some pot statement Wednesday, a next day of a five-day meeting came to the conclusion, saying the confab have been "remarkably productive." It had been the 3rd formal confab from the Group for just one Union, which received updates in the workgroups in Governance & Structure Finance & Dues Collective Negotiating Pension, Health & Retirement Procedures & Staff and Member Education & Outreach. Just like the 2 previous conferences in June and August, the unions revealed only general particulars concerning the substance of discusssions. Advocates have contended that the combined union could be more effective and take away jurisdictional overlaps. Competitors have contended the new union ought to be for stars only but SAG voters happen to be backing professional-merger candidates extremely in recent elections. If the proposal be accepted in The month of january through the national boards, people might be requested to election by next spring inside a contest that will require 60% of individuals voting in each union to approve. SAG presently has about 120,000 people while AFTRA has about 70,000 about 45,000 entertainers owned by both unions. "It was an incredibly productive meeting and that we made solid progress over the full spectrum of issues we must consider," stated SAG leader Ken Howard and AFTRA leader Roberta Reardon. "The people and staff of both unions still are a genuine team, and our efforts still prove our shared interests are far more than any variations we now have. "The entertainment and media industries are changing more rapidly than ever before, and the opportunity to bring our unions together is really a chance -Body we intend to make the most of. We are devoted to protecting the very best facets of SAG and AFTRA in the end develop a effective new union that'll be better still outfitted to defend myself against the emerging facts we are facing. One factor is for certain: We are much more powerful together than we're apart." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com