Tough fight for SAG-AFTRA merger plan

Intends to merge Hollywood's two greatest artist unions appear prone to face some significant opposition --with different set of advisory motions approved Sunday in the Screen Stars Guild's national membership meeting. Leaders of SAG and also the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists have ongoing 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.'' But the majority of the 180 attending SAG's member meeting Sunday indicated opposition to some merger, sources stated. The big event, held at SAG headquarters within the mid-Wilshire area, was open simply to guild people. One advisory motion towards the national board specified that the minority report be incorporated within the merger referendum no matter the election from the board. Another advisory motion needed the board follow the three-decade-old Phase 1 agreement, which requires both unions to carry out a feasibility the research into the SAG pension and health plans just before a merger election. The SAG plans -- which lately introduced stiffened qualifications needs -- are operated individually of SAG with oversight from reps from the guild and also the congloms Merger advocates have asserted the combined unions may have more clout. Sources also stated that SAG Treasurer Amy Aquino told that audience the Alliance of movement Picture and tv Producers -- which can serve as the congloms' negotiating arm and has not taken the official position -- doesn't want SAG and AFTRA to merge. ''They fear so much a merger,'' Aquino stated. SAG leader Ken Howard -- who is a strong advocate of merger -- presided within the meeting. Together with Aquino, national VPs Ned Vaughn, Mike Hodge and David Hartley-Margolin were around the dais together with SAG national professional director David Whitened and general counsel Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. SAG and AFTRA have revealed only general particulars concerning the substance of discussions to hammer out a merger plan. 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. SAG people chosen lower merger plans in 1999 and 2003. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com