The Screen Actors Guild’s national board approved a joint negotiating agreement with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. The vote was 78% to 22% in favor of re-merging for talks with the AMPTP later this year.
In late January, the SAG national board voted 82% to 18% in favor of a resolution asking its leadership to seek joint bargaining with AFTRA. Also, two weeks ago, AFTRA’s national board unanimously approved joint bargaining with SAG on the guilds’ TV-theatrical contracts under the old terms.
Said SAG president Ken Howard of the vote made on 3/13: “Bargaining together is a smart decision and voting up this agreement clearly serves the best interests of all SAG members. I’m grateful to the board and look forward to working with our partners at AFTRA toward a successful negotiation.”
Says the official SAG motion: “It was moved and seconded that the National Board of Directors approves the joint bargaining agreement for the Television/Theatrical Contracts and instructs staff and counsel to finalize the language of the agreement substantially in the form presented.”
The unions will meet soon to finalize and execute the joint bargaining agreement, which will be similar to that used for last year’s joint negotiations on the commercials contracts.
