LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The votes are in and being counted, with the outcome to determine whether the nation's two largest actor unions join forces to fight growing media consolidation.þþBallots from members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists were due Monday and were to be counted Tuesday.þþThe consolidation must be approved by 60 percent of each union's voting members. A new union would be called the Alliance of International Media Artists.þþLeaders of both unions have campaigned vigorously for the merger since deciding in February to put the issue up for rank-and-file approval.þþThe last attempt to combine the unions, in 1999, failed when SAG members worried that television and radio members would be allowed to vote on SAG contracts.þþMany of the same concerns are being voiced now by SAG members opposed to the merger. They argue that a new union would simply impose higher dues on SAG members, dilute the strength of both unions and end the autonomy of SAG, which in its long history has been led by such notables as Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston.þþProponents say consolidation is necessary as huge media conglomerates grow more powerful and exercise greater control over acting jobs.þþMedia consolidation has led to drastic cost cuts as companies scramble to reduce debt and justify their mergers. AOL Time Warner, Vivendi Universal and other giants have cut thousands of jobs over the past few years, and producers are expected to be especially cost-conscious when the current pacts with actors expire.þþConsolidation proponents say cost cutting has also led to reliance on reality television shows that don't employ professional actors.þþPrevious attempts to merge have failed in large part because SAG members, mainly film and prime-time TV actors, have been unwilling to share power with daytime TV actors, broadcasters and recording artists represented by AFTRA. The new consolidation plan proposes a unified umbrella group and three autonomous affiliates, representing actors, broadcasters and recording artists.þþOpponents say the new structure does not go far enough to protect screen actors.þþ
Source: NY Times
