SAG and AFTRA craft merger plan

Hollywood's two main actors unions, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Jan 16 took a historic step toward combining their two unions.

The Group for One Union, which is made up of leaders of SAG and AFTRA, hammered out an agreement to merge the unions after nine days of intensive talks -- held out of the public view at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Neither of the unions would publicly comment on the agreement, but people familiar with the matter said it contains a proposed constitution, governance structure, and dues-payment plan for what would be the largest labor group in Hollywood.