AFTRA FLASH

Pennsylvania

AFTRA - Your Voice in Music, Entertainment and News & Information -
Your Union

October 2006

PA House Commerce Committee Passes Bill Limiting Non-Competes for Broadcast Employees

Tuesday, in a unanimous vote, HB #2905 sailed through the PA House Commerce Committee. Our brave band of advocates, including a radio statio owner and a non-AFTRA broadcast TV newsperson, were there to button-hole the committee members prior to the vote. Special thanks to Pearre Dean, legislative rep from the PA AFL-CIO, for steering us through the process. Even though further movement on the bill appears unlikely this legislative session, we believe we should try. Here's what you and those who you talk to can do right now:

1) Send an e-mail to House Speaker John Perzel (R-172) at jperzel@pahousegop.com. Thank him for sponsoring HB #2905 and strongly urge him to move the bill for a full House vote.

2) Send an e-mail to John Gordner (R-27), Chairman of the Senate Labor and Industry Committee, at jgordner@pasen.gov. Tell him you support HB #2905 and urge him to move Senate Bill #442 to vote in his committee immediately.

Click here to read House Bill No. 2905--the Broadcast Industry Free Market Act, which will prohibit noncompete provisions in certain broadcast employment contracts and prescribe a penalty.

For more information, contact your Local: Philadelphia@aftra.com or Pittsburgh@aftra.com.