AFTRA-SAG MERGER OVERWHELMINGLY OK’D

After decades of often hostile rivalry, members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) overwhelmingly approved the merger of the two unions. Eighty-six percent of AFTRA members approved the merger, a percentage that was expected. But it was also approved by 82 percent of SAG members, despite militant opposition within that union. The opponents have vowed to continue their battle in court. In announcing the results, Ken Howard, the former head of SAG who will now hold the post of co-president of the merged union called SAG-AFTRA, remarked, “This is the day we have decisively chosen the path of unity and strength. … In a single day, our future has become brighter.” Co-President Roberta Reardon added: “As our industry evolves, we can now meet that challenge and manage that change with a strong collective voice.”