 In 1969, Elvin was replaced as General Secretary by Alan Sapper.The union repeatedly discussed potential mergers with the Association of Broadcasting Staff (ABS), which represented the equivalent workers at the BBC, but these foundered until in 1991 it merged with the Broadcasting and Entertainment Trades Alliance, the successor to the ABS, to form the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union.The union sponsored its general secretary as a candidate in the 1951 UK general election.