Actors Unions Close To Historic Merger

The merger of Hollywood’s two leading acting unions, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, has moved a step closer to reality after the SAG and AFTRA national boards approved the measure. The combined entity, would be called SAG-AFTRA, will cover tens of thousands of actors working in film, television, commercials, music videos, radios, corporate videos and other media. It will definitely increase the clout of actors clamoring for a higher percentage of revenues for residuals for past work that will now enter the digital sphere and also for assurances for higher wages across the pay scale for future productions. The merger is subject to a referendum from members of both unions which will be determined by mail ballot by the end of March. There is a group within both unions that have opposed the planned merger, saying that it would reduce the bargaining position for actors, particularly those who play smaller parts. However, an eventual merger, which has been in the talking stages for almost a decade, seems certain and this will significantly alter the power positioning in Hollywood for many years to come.

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