Hollywood actors' guilds move closer to merger

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/29/us-actors-merger-idUSTRE80S0OU20120129

LOS ANGELES, Jan 29 (TheWrap.com) - The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists' national board approved a merger proposal with the Screen Actors Guild on Saturday.

The proposal passed with 94% of the panel voting for approval, which followed approval by SAG's national board on Friday night.

The approval by both national boards will be followed by a referendum on the merger measure to be approved by the full membership of each guild. The referendum for AFTRA wil be mailed to AFTRA members on or about February 27, 2012, with a ballot return and tabulation deadline of March 30, 2012.

"I applaud the AFTRA National Board for their overwhelming approval of this historic merger package," said AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon. "The partnership we formed on the G1 was one of collegiality and consensus that went into laying the foundation for a new union. This plan embodies the thoughtful work and valuable perspectives from large and small markets across the nation of many working actors, broadcast professionals, recording artists and other performers."

FULL story at link.

[Javaman]

1. No surprise...

it's been wanted for years.

it was just a matter of working out the details.

This is a very good thing.

[MADem]

2. Years ago, there was a "division" between TV talent and movie talent.

Film stars who went to television to make their living were denigrated as "has beens" and even sneered at behind their backs.

It was only when people started realizing that, hey, the money in TV isn't bad, the hours are regular like those paychecks, the fan base is there, and the material is sometimes a lot of fun, that those prejudices started to fade.

Nowadays, people go back and forth between the two without blinking an eye.

It's past due that these two consolidate.