AFTRA - Screen Actors Guild Presidents’ Forum for One Union Meets in Los Angeles

Posted October 22, 2010
4:55 PM PST

Representatives of the AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild Presidents’ Forum for One Union met last night at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles to begin joint discussions about uniting to form a single union.

Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA representatives attending last night’s meeting included AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon and SAG National President Ken Howard and member representatives of both unions from across the country. SAG National Executive Director David White and AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth also attended.

The Presidents' Forum met for nearly three hours and discussed the strong and growing desire of both unions’ memberships to form one union. The group also reviewed possible parameters for future discussions and committed to hearing from a wide array of member groups in both unions about their specific needs and concerns. The Forum also discussed the benefits of retaining an independent facilitator to help develop a process and timeline.

AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon said, “This was an extremely productive first meeting of the Presidents’ Forum, and I’m happy that leadership from AFTRA’s diverse categories of membership were able to join us for the discussion. I believe deeply in this exciting and important project, and I look forward to speaking with members from both unions around the country as we work together to create one successor union.”

Screen Actors Guild National President Ken Howard said, “Thursday’s meeting was a successful first step, and we are already considering dates in November for our next meeting. I’m committed to moving forward and to engaging in a public and transparent process that will foster buy-in across our memberships.”

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