News Release
AFTRA ACHIEVES TWO MILESTONES AT NATIONAL BOARD
MEETING:
RECEIVES DIRECT CHARTER FROM AFL-CIO AND
AFFIRMS JOINT BARGAINING WITH SAG IS OVER
LOS ANGELES and
NEW YORK (February 3, 2008) – In a major endorsement of its standing as
an independent union, the American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) announced at its national board meeting
yesterday that it has been granted a direct charter by the AFL-CIO, the
nation’s largest labor federation.
“This is truly a historic moment for our union,”
said
“I want to thank
“It also means we can now count on the full support
and assistance of the AFL-CIO as we move forward to win strong agreements for
the Network TV Code, Primetime Exhibit A, and other contracts,” she said.
“For all the challenges that face us, these are exciting times for AFTRA
members, filled with amazing opportunities for growth and new jobs. As our
industry evolves in this new digital era, so does our union. Our new charter
from the AFL-CIO is an unmistakable reflection of AFTRA members' progress.
We should be proud of what it signifies about our members as we move forward
together,” Reardon said.
The actual announcement was made in a videotaped message to the
AFTRA board by AFL-CIO
In another major step, the National Board approved a
resolution that sets the stage for AFTRA to move forward on its own in
negotiating new collective bargaining agreements for members.
The resolution affirms the union’s position that the
Screen Actors Guild abrogated the “Phase 1” joint bargaining
agreement in July 2007, despite AFTRA’s longstanding, unwavering
commitment to joint bargaining with SAG under the terms of the Phase 1
Agreement as written and practiced since 1981.
“AFTRA has a responsibility to move forward and
negotiate our agreement for primetime network TV dramatic programming,”
said Reardon. “We cannot abdicate our fiduciary obligations to AFTRA
members by allowing another institution to dictate the terms of our
long-standing contracts or control our negotiating timeline.”
The resolution reaffirmed authorization for AFTRA's
2008 Primetime Steering Committee to function as the Wages and Working
Conditions Committee for the AFTRA Primetime Exhibit A to the Network Code
negotiations. The resolution also confirms that the Steering Committee can
determine an appropriate schedule of negotiations “in order for AFTRA to
negotiate and secure the strongest possible agreement on behalf of
performers.”
AFTRA is currently coordinating with SAG to co-host wages
and working conditions process. The AFTRA resolution states this will continue
as long it “deems possible and practical” but notes this is not a
“joint” wages and working conditions process. The AFTRA resolution
received an 89-percent affirmative vote.
The charter from AFL-CIO caps a process that began last July
when delegates to the AFTRA National Convention voted by a ten-to-one margin to
seek direct affiliation with the AFL-CIO. In addition to granting the charter
to AFTRA, Sweeney recommended integrating the Associated Actors and
Artistes of America (the Four A’s) into the AFL-CIO's Department for
Professional Employees and its Arts, Entertainment, Media Industry Coordinating
Committee, of which AFTRA is already an active participant. The AFL-CIO
indicated that it would also grant direct charters to Actors’ Equity and
SAG upon request of the respective unions.
“AFTRA has strong respect
for the Four A’s, and its traditions and history,” added Reardon.
“The direct charter is a win-win for all as it provides AFTRA the
standing our members deserve within the AFL-CIO, but allows us to continue all
the positive aspects of working with the Four A's.”
Other highlights of the AFTRA National Board meeting:
·
The Uptown Animation Agreement with Nickelodeon was
approved; the new deal will run through 2012. The agreement brings terms and
conditions in line with the AFTRA Standard Computer Generated Animation
Agreement. It also continues to provide payments for an array of internet and
digital media uses.
·
It was confirmed that negotiations for the AFTRA
Network TV Code are set to begin February 19. The Network Code covers actors
and all on-camera and off-camera talent on all forms of television programming:
syndicated dramas, daytime serials, game shows, talk shows, variety and musical
programs, news, sports, reality shows, and promotional announcements.
·
The Board authorized the appointment of a steering
committee for the Non-Broadcast/Industrial Code—covering instructional,
educational, sales promotions, conventions, point-of-purchase, and other
productions—which will develop a schedule for contract proposals and
negotiations.
·
The Board approved a process to
expedite ratification of the AFTRA Sound Recordings Code, should
negotiations with the record labels that are scheduled to resume on
February 4 result in a tentative agreement. Major issues in that negotiation
include compensation structures for digital downloads and health and pension
benefits for recording artists.
More details about the board meeting,
including video and a copy of the resolution, can be found at
www.aftra.com.
About
AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and
Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, is a national labor union of over 70,000 actors,
singers, dancers, announcers, and other broadcast talent performers,
journalists and other artists working in the entertainment and news media. With
32 local chapters across the country, AFTRA promotes the success and welfare of
members in a variety of ways, including contract negotiation and enforcement,
advocating on legislative and public policy issues, supporting equal employment
opportunities, and sponsoring or supporting health and retirement benefits and
programs. For more information, visit http://www.aftra.com.
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