Actors Reject Merger of Unions

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- A proposal to merge the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists failed this week, a development that could lead to a change in SAG leadership and a weaker bargaining position during negotiations with film and television producers.þþThe plan to form the Alliance of International Media Artists failed Tuesday even though a majority of members in both unions supported it. AFTRA members strongly endorsed the measure, but SAG fell about 2 percentage points short of the 60 percent required for passage.þþSAG members who opposed the merger said it would raise dues, dilute the unions' strength and end their guild's autonomy.þ