As has been discussed here, the two unions that represent actors in Hollywood — the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Screen Actors Guild — darn near committed seppuku in the last contract negotiations by going it apart. There are many stories as to why this happened but it almost doesn't matter. They divided, they conquered themselves and for a time there, it looked like they might never bargain together again, let alone merge as has been repeatedly proposed.
Wonder of wonders, much has changed. They recently concluded joint bargaining…not a great deal but better than might have resulted had they gone it apart again. And now they're about to commence talks about how to become one big, happy union. Well, let me take that back. Neither is a big, happy union on their own and not just because they're splitting the job of representing actors. No performers' union is ever going to be that happy. There are always too many members who aren't working and who take their lack of fame 'n' fortune out on their guild. Every time I think that's fatally true of the Writers Guild, I see something that's going on with the actors and I think hey, maybe we don't have it so bad. But a joint union of SAG and AFTRA should be a very good thing. I hope it happens.