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Taking the pulse on the proposed SAG/AFTRA merger

Hello fellow actors.

I was hoping to get an idea about what the general feeling is out there regarding the proposed SAG/AFTRA merger. Not necessarily your own opinion, but more like what you're hearing on set. Is it overwhelmingly one or the other? Which way does the wind seem to be blowing?

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Permalink Reply by Osmani Rodriguez on February 17, 2012 at 9:43pm

I've been hearing very positive feedback - Pro Merger.

It doesn't seem to be just wind, but a nice April Shower! (in February)

Permalink Reply by Frankie Imbergamo on February 17, 2012 at 9:54pm

It looks like it will happen for sure!!

Permalink Reply by Curtis Eames on February 18, 2012 at 12:33am

seems like we'll get more bargaining power as producers will no longer be able to play the two unions off each other...

Permalink Reply by James Wilcox on February 18, 2012 at 7:52am

I'm mostly hearing positive things as well, though i've also been around some folks who are a bit soured on the subject. Some of the comments among them are worth looking into so that we can all be better educated on the topic. Namely, why do members of only one union get to be grandfathered into the new union, when those who are members of both have already paid roughly $3800. And why have they not closed the door to allowing people to buy into AFTRA at $1600 during this current period?

Will the health care plan look more like SAG's or AFTRA's? Will it stay as a PPO with all the same great coverage or will it be reduced to an HMO?

Will the new Union work to raise the number of required union BG on tv & film sets since there will now be more people competing for those same jobs?

I've always been in favor of the merger, but thought these were some fair questions overheard from those on the fence.

Permalink Reply by Casey Kelly on February 18, 2012 at 3:18pm

Is seems like most people are pro-merger, as am I.

If you have questions about the merger you can go to the OneUnion websites for info. or attend one of the townhall meetings, or attend the online townhall meeting. I think AFTRA and SAG are being pretty transparent. While there are some concessions to be made (like people who have already paid for both unions) there is always a price to pay for this type of thing. In the end I do think it's worth it. 

Permalink Reply by Paul Horn on February 18, 2012 at 5:05pm

Hi James--Casey's right--there's a lot of good information (and none of the misinformation unfortunately floating around elsewhere) on the AFTRA and SAG websites (see end of the posting).  And we'll be holding another "Town Meeting" on March 5, especially for those who were unable to attend last week's.  Meanwhile, let me address your health insurance  question right off the bat:


Will the health care plan look more like SAG's or AFTRA's? Will it stay as a PPO with all the same great coverage or will it be reduced to an HMO?  

No one can say for sure--it will be up to the Trustees of the respective Funds--which are separate legal entities from the unions (made up 50% employers, 50% AFTRA or SAG representatives)--to determine what a new plan would look like. 

But don't forget--changes to the health plans can happen any time and whether the unions merge or not!  Over the last several years, as health care costs have risen, the Trustees of both Funds have had to make tough decisions on reducing benefits, raising earning requirements, introducing or raising premiums, etc.

One of many reasons to vote for the SAG/AFTRA merger is that it offers a reasonable expectation that the Funds themselves will merge (or perhaps create a new Fund for new contributions).  Without merger there is no reason for such hope or expectation.

Beyond that keep in mind that:

1) Our employers have no incentive--no reason whatsoever--to encourage the unions to merge--quite to the contrary. So it should surprise no one that the Trustees, 1/2 of whom are employers, haven't spent the substantial time or money to explore any specific plan options in the event of merger (especially since the last two merger attempts have failed, the last quite narrowly).

2) Though of course it is not some simple, "overnight" process, there are no legal impediments to a merger of the plans. It's been done with other unions and organizations (as the "Feasibility Report," which everyone should read, establishes--see below).

3) The trustees on both Funds have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of participants-- which means that  when merger is approved--but not a moment before that--they will be obliged to consider merging the Plans because of rather obvious cost saving opportunities merger would, after some reasonable transition period, permit through the elimination of duplicate staffs, operations, etc..

4) Federal law protects any pension benefits anyone may have already earned.  Merger poses no danger whatsoever to what you have already earned under either the AFTRA or SAG plan.

More on your other questions shortly. Here's the general announcement in case you or anyone else missed it.  Make sure the Boston office has your email address so you can be sure to receive other information on a timely basis.

Please let us know what other questions you may have or hear others asking.  Thanks.

Paul

Dear Member:

As you know, merger referendum ballots are scheduled to be mailed on or about February 27 – but all members of both unions now have access to the complete merger documents now online. Full printed merger documents will also be mailed to each voter along with the referendum ballot, which will be due for return on March 30. This will give each member ample time to make a thoughtful and well-informed decision. Please click the below links to view the SAG-AFTRA Merger Agreement, SAG-AFTRA Constitution and the P&H&R Feasibility Report.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE SAG-AFTRA MERGER AGREEMENT.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE SAG-AFTRA CONSTITUTION.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE P&H/H&R FEASIBILITY REPORT.

As a reminder, watch for the launch of the new joint website to provide members all the information they will want to consider before casting their votes. The website will include complete merger details, FAQs, and a comprehensive calendar of events to alert members nationwide to informational meetings and other opportunities for learning about the plan. Watch your email later this week for details of the website launch.

If you have questions or have trouble accessing the above documents, please email us at oneunion@sag.org or call the Boston office: 617 262 8001

Permalink Reply by Roy Souza on February 18, 2012 at 9:37pm

I just wanted to respond to the following good question,

"And why have they not closed the door to allowing people to buy into AFTRA at $1600 during this current period? " 

Remember that is AFTRA's current policy and it will only be changed by merger, after which SAG's qualifying process will be the process the merged union would follow.  And it really is a bit unrealistic to expect either of these unions to change any of their current policies that have been working for them for decades until given a mandate by that ballot vote.  But let's examine this choice from the non-union actor's perspective anyway.  So a non-union person has a decision to make: Do I take a $1600 dollar gamble and join a union so I don't have to pay $3000 down the road?  Well (1) that non-union person needs to have developed their talent to a level where they can compete against a very talented pool of actors for principal work or it's a very poor investment irrelevant of merger or not and (2) if the merger fails, they are now members of AFTRA and can no longer do non-union work even if it is films or commercials that would normally fall under SAG's jurisdication.  A union actor is never allowed to work non-union in another unions jurisdication.  So it's one heck of a gamble, which would explain why there has been to date, virtually no increase in the joining rate to AFTRA.  Sorry for the long answer but just thought you'd want to know.

Permalink Reply by Bill Mootos on February 18, 2012 at 10:49pm

Hi James-

To answer your questions (though I think Roy and Paul covered a few):

Why do members of only one union get to be grandfathered into the new union, when those who are members of both have already paid roughly $3800.

Presumably, if one has been a member of either union, they have had the benefit of working that union's contracts and taking advantage of union activities (Conservatory, Discounts, etc) since they joined.  Anyone joining now or in the future will not have had the benefit of union rates (with the exception of any Taft-Hartley work they already did to make them eligible). There is no way to ensure that everyone will have paid the same rates, as we all joined one or both unions at different times and at different rates.  If an existing SAG and AFTRA member has already worked the contracts, at least he or she has earned income that the brand new member has not.


And why have they not closed the door to allowing people to buy into AFTRA at $1600 during this current period?

As Roy said, it doesn't make sense for AFTRA to increase its initiation fee (especially if merger doesn't happen), and it is a gamble for that person to join without knowing if merger will pass or fail.    Look at it this way:  if merger passes, the "open door" to AFTRA closes forever.  If it fails, that door stays open forever.  AFTRA TV work is not going away:  Do we want that door to stay open for another 6 weeks, or forever?

Will the health care plan look more like SAG's or AFTRA's? Will it stay as a PPO with all the same great coverage or will it be reduced to an HMO?

Our member trustees of the P&H/H&R plans have no intention of offering inferior coverage to plan participants.  Just as our trustees do now, they will do what is best to offer the best coverage possible.  The reason for merging is to increase our strength and bargaining power, not to weaken our rates or benefit plans.

Will the new Union work to raise the number of required union BG on tv & film sets since there will now be more people competing for those same jobs?

Absolutely.  With our leverage increased in all contract areas, we can negotiate for better coverage in every contract.  If the unions stay separate, it is only a matter of time before SAG actors wanting television work will join AFTRA (if they have not done so already).


I've always been in favor of the merger, but thought these were some fair questions overheard from those on the fence.

Great, James - the best thing that members can do is attend the meetings in Boston, NYC, and (soon to be announced) Providence, RI to get an accurate picture of what merger will mean for us. 

There is a LOT of disinformation being perpetrated on the blogs by those who are determined to see merger fail (the same people who told us that there was no reason to merge back in 2003.  How many of us feel the work situation has improved since merger failed?)

Bill

billmootos@yahoo.com


James Wilcox said:

I'm mostly hearing positive things as well, though i've also been around some folks who are a bit soured on the subject. Some of the comments among them are worth looking into so that we can all be better educated on the topic. Namely, why do members of only one union get to be grandfathered into the new union, when those who are members of both have already paid roughly $3800. And why have they not closed the door to allowing people to buy into AFTRA at $1600 during this current period?

Will the health care plan look more like SAG's or AFTRA's? Will it stay as a PPO with all the same great coverage or will it be reduced to an HMO?

Will the new Union work to raise the number of required union BG on tv & film sets since there will now be more people competing for those same jobs?

I've always been in favor of the merger, but thought these were some fair questions overheard from those on the fence.

Permalink Reply by James Wilcox on February 19, 2012 at 7:31am

Thanks for putting these answers out there friends! I appreciate your time in putting together some answers that I wasn't able to offer to others on various sets. Much appreciated! With you in solidarity!

James

Permalink Reply by Kathleen O'Neil on February 19, 2012 at 12:46pm

Wonderful feedback. Thank you all for responding.

Permalink Reply by Bill Mootos on February 19, 2012 at 1:51pm

Hi James and Kathleen-

No Problem, and thanks for asking the questions!  There is so much disinformation out there being spread by various groups, mainly from the same group that caused enough fear and confusion to make merger fail by only 1.8% votes nationally in 2003.

I think it feels like a leap of faith for newer members, and those of us who have been around for the last decade see the need to merge these 2 unions and end the competition.  If anyone has more questions, keep them coming!

I can always be reached by phone (617-686-7066) or Email:  billmootos@yahoo.com

Oh yeah, ... I'm voting YES!

Bill

Permalink Reply by Paul Horn on February 19, 2012 at 7:19pm

As an AFTRA and/or SAG member, if you've decided (or known for a long time) that you support merger, I encourage you to add your name to the list:

http://www.sagaftra.org/statement-support

And if you still have any questions or concerns, you've got several ways to get answers:

Whatever you do, make sure you get the facts from reliable, informed sources--unfortunately, there is some misinformation (and some downright lies) floating around out there, as you've probably seen.

Thanks.

Paul

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