Unifying The Unions

Recently, we received an email from AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and SAG National President Ken Howard. Detailed within the message, was information regarding a possible merger. However, members where told to visit each entities website to get truly informed; as the final vote lies in the hands of the members.

In acknowledgement of this momentous event we here at Music Castings sat down with a number of individuals to get their perspective on the potential merger. While the response was clearly mixed there were three areas that were consistently addressed. Below we have highlighted two of the most talked about sections within the Merger Agreement.

XI. Membership

A. Status and Conversion of Existing Members

1. On the Effective Date, by virtue of this Agreement and without further payment or action, all AFTRA and SAG members not under expulsion or suspension by either SAG or AFTRA shall become members of SAG-AFTRA in their appropriate membership classification (e.g. active, inactive, etc.) provided, however, that any person may elect to become a non-member by written notice to SAG-AFTRA (Merger Agreement).

Many of the current SAG members expressed a great deal of angst regarding this specific area. For years individuals have had to meet rigorous requirements before being given the opportunity to join this union. Members of SAG have also had to pay nearly double the initial fee of those that joined AFTRA. However, AFTRA on the other hand has for years been the alternative to waiting out the initiation process of SAG. Its requirements to join up, until recently have only been financially based. In light of these differences many SAG members are hesitant.

XIV. Collective Bargaining Agreements

C. Contributions to Benefit Funds

During the period after the Effective Date but before any merger or other combination of the Unions’ Taft Hartley benefit plans or cooperative funds, SAG-AFTRA shall use its best efforts to ensure that (1) the members of SAG- AFTRA enjoy the best available terms and conditions for their work; and (2) the amount of contributions to each of the union’s Taft Hartley benefit plans and cooperative funds remains as close as possible to the levels received during the 12-month period prior to the Effective Date (Merger Agreement).

Amongst many of the well-seasoned SAG members this was another hot button issue. However there were a number of positive points as well. To review the document in its entirety refer to

http://aftra.org/documents/Merger_Agreement_Final_Approved_120131a.pdf