Q: My friends told me that there is going to be a soap opera actors strike. Is she right? — Geneva in Rockford, Ill.

A: Not quite. The two actors unions that represent daytime actors are feuding. The latest real daytime drama has all the makings of a ratings race plot. Twenty-seven years ago, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists decided to team up with the Screen Actors Guild. It seemed to be a match made in heaven. In true soap opera fashion, the principals decided that the other was cheating on them. Over the years AFTRA and SAG have had many near-divorces, but this looks like the real thing. AFTRA decided not to negotiate with SAG over their joint contract. According to the Hollywood Reporter, AFTRA represents 44,000 in both unions. In an action worthy of Stephanie Forrester of "Bold and Beautiful," a petition was sent to the folks at B&B to decertify AFTRA and go it alone with SAG.

"They're fed up that AFTRA has not taken care of their needs and concerns and that AFTRA has not assisted them in getting money owed to them," said SAG national board member Anne-Marie Johnson, who is also an AFTRA member. "They're fed up with their health and retirement package, and they know SAG will assist if they could."

Interestingly, B&B's Susan Flannery (Stephanie) and John McCook were

Involved in early talks between the unions. What does a union do for an actor? Without a union, actors on daytime would still be working five days a week up to 20 hours a day without any extra pay. There would be no lunch or dinner breaks. Actors could be forced to take a pay cut in the middle of a contract.

One West Coast actor who asked not to be named says, "I don't care which union we use. I just want to know I will still have a job. No union can guarantee that."

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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