Protest erupts over SAG-AFTRA merger

About 30 people staged the initial public protest in the recommended merger involving the Screen Stars Guild as well as the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, 72 hours just before the proposal begins landing in member mail boxes. "We're very concerned this merger can lead to a union that's professional-management," mentioned Scott Pierce, a classic SAG board member who organized the large event before SAG and AFTRA headquarters in La. Pierce asserted the merged union, named SAG-AFTRA, will finish up less accountable to individuals since lots of your choice-making energy will relaxation with affiliates selected every couple of years rather than every year. "The delegate method is a template for just about any professional-mangement union," he mentioned. Former national board people Renee Aubry, transporting a sign nonetheless "Endangered actor species," mentioned she thinks the merged union won't address the first issues that stars face. Others in case incorporated former national board people Peter Kwong, France Nguyen and Dewayne Williams. 100s of SAG and AFTRA people attended an academic meeting Thursday evening with SAG leader Ken Howard and AFTRA leader Roberta Reardon attending. Advocates in the merger have contended the merged union might have more energy and take off jurisdicational overlaps. The merger proposal is going to be shipped to 120,000 SAG people and 70,000 AFTRA people, who include stars, tv producers, DJs, entertainers and ballroom ballroom dancers. To feed, the referendum want a 60% approval margin from both orgs among votes cast. SAG and AFTRA will mail out ballots Feb. 27 to 120,000 SAG people and 70,000 AFTRA people, getting a tabulation date of March 30. Being approved, the merger must receive no less than 60% in the votes from each union. Rivals may also be objecting to having less a comprehensive analysis of mixing the SAG and AFTRA pension and health plans through the claims with the unions inside their "feasibility study," which found no legal obstacle to this kind of step. Warren Berlinger, who's organized the Union Democrary Now group, mentioned Friday that merging the plans would harm participants inside the SAG plans. "People are scared that they're prone to lose their pensions," he added. SAG people switched lower merger plans in 1999 and 2003 but supporters in the idea have centered elections lately. SAG's board appproved the merger anticipate Jan. 27 with 88 percent supporting and AFTRA's board OKd the proposal the very next day with 94 percent support. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com