To Merge Or Not To Merge

A group of some 50 film actors gathered in Los Angeles yesterday to protest the proposed merger of the Screen Actors’ Guild with the union representing television and radio performers (AFTRA). Merger proponents say that a unified union would be stronger, and in a better position to prevent “runaway” productions in Canada. But the protesters claim that the merger is being railroaded through by a small group of union execs, and worry about having to compete for the union’s attention with soap opera actors and radio personalities.