SAG pushes merger as election gets near

People from the Screen Stars Guild can rely on a push to approve a merger using the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists throughout the following three days because the March 30 balloting deadline gets near. Merger backers are saying the SAG-AFTRA combo increases negotiating strength and represent a foundation fixing the issue of entertainers not qualifiying for coverage under separate SAG and AFTRA health insurance and pension plans. Backers from the combo are scrambling to prevent a repeat from the 2003 defeat, when SAG people spurned an AFTRA merger with a margin of just 1,280 votes -- or 2% lacking the needed 60% while 75% of AFTRA people supported the offer. The 2003 election came 54% of qualified SAG voters. "I am certain that it is going to pass, especially if we are able to get everybody to election," stated SAG First Vice president Ned Vaughn. "Stars are busy people so we are attempting to persuade these to mail the ballots rather than allowing them to take a seat on their desks until it's past too far.Inch Vaughn stated that pension and health continues to be key concern elevated by people. "I believe we are creating a real reference to people on that," he added. The SAG anti-merger forces have filed a suit to bar the election count, alleging the guild has not stuck to the rules in delivering the proposal to people. Competitors staged their fifth consective Thursday mid-day protest while watching SAG headquarters in Hollywood, worrying the combination will dilute the energy of middle-class stars. The merger's been endorsed by over 2,050 people, including George Clooney, Robert DeNiro, Danny DeVito and Tom Hanks. Competitors alleged the merger may benefit producers like the quartet using the admonition "Whether it's great for producers, it's harmful to stars." Vaughn stated that argument comes down to "Balkanizing" SAG by excluding effective stars. "I believe that's antithetical towards the union movement," he added. "And it is not as if Tom Hanks need this merger to occur.Inch SAG's been staging educational conferences round the country since ballots went February. 27 with Wednesday's nights gathering at SAG headquarters drawing about 400. It's slotted a Saturday meet in Santa Further ed, N.M., then Monday events in NY City, Chicago and Cleveland, a March 15 meet in NY, a March 17 gathering in La and March 19 meeting in North Park and Southfield, Mich. March 20 in Cincinnati March 21 in Indiana and March 22 in Columbus, Ohio. Vaughn's among the leaders from the Unite For Strength faction that's centered SAG elections recently having a professional-merger message. He stated the advantages of merging far over-shadow the issues, adding, "It's not hard to be considered a naysayer and pick in the particulars." SAG also send a postcard to people now with title "Keep the benefits safe by looking into making all of us more powerful. Negotiating strength may be the first step toward all union protections including health insurance and pension/retirement benefits." A hearing continues to be looking for March 26 in federal court in La around the anti-merger suit filed by Martin Sheen and 60 other stars. The experience alleges SAG and it is leaders are trying to merge "without performing the required research" while SAG has labeled the suit "a obvious attempt for circumventing the desire from the membership" and "a pr stunt." Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com