A merger between two entertainment unions became effective Friday, March 30, after members of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists voted to consolidate, B&C reports.

The story reports: “The combined union, SAG-AFTRA, will represent more than 150 ,000 workers in TV and radio and the Internet. The union is headed by co-presidents Ken Howard, former president of SAG, and Roberta Reardon, former president of AFTRA.”

Both unions voted overwhelmingly for the merger, with SAG members voting 82% for the merger and AFTRA members voting 86% in favor, the story says. Both figures are well above the 60% needed for approval.

The consolidation effort was partly inspired by the need to negotiate with increasingly consolidated studios and distributors, the report notes.

In a statement, Directors Guild of America President Taylor Hackford supported the move, saying: "This decision has been a long time in the making. Both guilds labored for many years to achieve this merger, believing that a single combined union would be stronger, more unified and more capable of representing the needs of its members in a changing entertainment landscape. The memberships of both guilds have made clear through their vote today that they agree."