The Screen Actors Guild moved closer to merging with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists Saturday, with SAG national president Ken Howard selected to head a committee specifically set up to move forward the combination of the two labor groups.
AFTRA is said to be forming a panel similar to SAG's six-member Presidents' Forum for One Union.
“This is a positive step toward uniting SAG and AFTRA and good news for our members,” Howard said. “The creation of a single performers’ union is overdue, and I’m pleased to be working with (AFTRA national president) Roberta Reardon, who’s been such a champion of that goal.”
Gearing up to jointly negotiate its next primetime TV deal alongside AFTRA, SAG also on Saturday appointed Bob Bergen to chair its television animation and basic-cable animation negotiating committee also.
The two talent-based labor organizations will begin talks with producers on a new primetime TV contract starting Sept. 27.
Also at the weekend plenary hearing, SAG secretary-treasurer Amy Aquino delivered a report on the guild’s 2010 Year End financials, noting better than expected results from the org’s expense management program and significantly improved income from investments. Aquino reported a surplus of $329,000 for fiscal year 2010.
