SAG, AFTRA prep for nine-day merger talks

Leaders of Hollywood's two greatest artist unions 're going from the radar in a few days to pay attention to what might be the ultimate proposal for merging the Screen Stars Guild and also the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, Beginning Saturday, they'll hold a marathon nine-day ending up in the aim of preparing the proposal over time for that national boards in the finish from the month. As well as in a move that underlines the significance for union cake toppers to create a suitable merger proposal, several periods happen to be looking for the Renaissance Hotel from the SAG and AFTRA offices in Hollywood. Spokespeople for that unions didn't have immediate response Monday. But a resource acquainted with the problem established that while using off-site location is targeted particularly at giving union reps the very best chance at dealing with a large number of complications presented by mixing the SAG and AFTRA -- and meeting the formerly introduced deadline of overall the procedure this month. SAG presently has about 120,000 people while AFTRA has about 70,000, about 45,000 entertainers owned by both unions. If the proposal be authorized by the national boards, people might be requested to OK the merger inside a referendum that will require 60% of individuals voting in each union to approve. SAG people defeated merger plans in 1999 and 2003 while AFTRA people supported both. Concerns over SAG's lack of identity and also the effect on the SAG-producers health insurance and pension plans were elevated within the 2003 election, whenever a merger was based on 58% of SAG people who chosen. The state AFTRA and SAG Group for just one Union has held four conferences since June, most lately on 12 ,. 11-12 once the approaching nine-day meet was set. The conferences happen to be caused by Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations professor Susan J. Schurman and labor consultant Peter S. DiCicco. The G1 includes six workgroups, that have been hammering out particulars like a title, governance, financing, membership needs and dues. Apart from explaining the conferences as productive, the unions have revealed only general particulars concerning the substance of discussions. SAG's chosen leadership continues to be centered recently by professional-merger reps, who contend that the combined union could be more effective and take away jurisdictional overlaps. Competitors, who've seen their influence wane, contend the new union ought to be for stars only. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com