The two main Hollywood acting guilds to finally merge after years of discussion

The proposal still needs approval from both unions' boards and then from members

Deal covers all major broadcast network programming beyond scripted prime-time shows

The union's national board has given the negotiating committee permission to ask members for a strike authorization

Despite nasty weather, labor groups carry on with weekend merger meeting

SAG announces its candidates for September's national elections; merger skeptic David Hillberg seeks to unseat Howard; Unite for Strength still dominant

The package covers recordings on all media and music formats, including audiobooks, comedy albums and cast albums

Official face-to-face discussions finally got underway this weekend

Doing pretty much everything together these days, the two organizations greenlight latest new contract

Recommendations include a draft mission statement for a combined "successor" union and the appointment of formal groups to work on a proposed meeting schedule to develop a merger plan

A day after the AFTRA board gave its greenlight to continued merger talk, SAG gave the endeavor some financial backing