Look for Your Ballot to Vote YES on AFTRA Network TV Code

Your ballot to approve the 2007-2010 AFTRA Network TV Code was mailed Wednesday—and you should be receiving it soon. Be on the lookout for the ratification ballot in your mail.

Your AFTRA Negotiating Committee was comprised of working actors, stunt persons, singers, dancers, announcers, and newspersons from throughout the country—all members who work this contract. The Negotiating Committee unanimously recommended the package to the AFTRA National Board, which unanimously approved the agreement—and recommends that AFTRA members vote YES to ratify the terms.

AFTRA members who work under the Network TV Code provide the talent that fuels more than 70% of the hours programmed by the four major networks and The CW. The Code covers programming in all television day parts—excluding only primetime dramatic programs—from dramas in first-run syndication to the morning news shows to midday talk and dramatic serials to primetime variety, reality, contest, sports, and late-night talk shows.

Members will realize big gains from this new agreement with the four major TV networks and producers. The new Network Code will provide solid increases in program fees, more funding for our Health and Retirement plans, address working conditions affecting almost every category of performer, and give jurisdiction and compensation to AFTRA members in the world of new media.

Your YES vote is critical to ensure that important gains negotiated in the new agreement are made effective as soon as possible to benefit AFTRA members. If the new agreement is timely ratified, most performers will get an increase of up to 3.5 percent in program fees, retroactive to November 16, 2007. And, with increases in employer contribution rates to the AFTRA H&R Funds, our plans will be stronger for all members.

Please go to www.AFTRA.com/netcode or call your AFTRA Local office for more information.

Vote YES to approve the 2007-2010 AFTRA Network TV Code

Members of the Negotiating Committee talk about why you should vote YES on the AFTRA Network TV Code:

	“I am proud to have been part of the AFTRA Negotiating Committee. We won important changes to our contracts that we have been trying to achieve for years. We met the concerns of performers by negotiating one-day, three-day, and weekly rates that match the primetime rates and provide notable salary increases.” Gabrielle Carteris, Actor
	“It was my honor to represent the daytime community at the table for our Network Code negotiation. We made great economic strides for daytime players with solid increases in program fees, as well as ensuring that actors with running parts get quicker payment for additional work days on a single episode.” Hillary B. Smith, Actor, One Life to Live
	“I went into the Network Code negotiations looking to secure the future for AFTRA members in both new media and old. We got a fantastic deal that raises rates and conditions across almost all categories of work and that locks down coverage for work in new media. I came out of negotiations with my head high, proud of the negotiating team, proud of my union, and set to earn more money as soon as we get this thing ratified.” Holter Graham, Actor
	“Many singers expressed a desire to focus on rehearsal rates and working conditions on variety, late-night talk, and award shows. Through our resolve, we achieved substantial and landmark gains for AFTRA singers across the performing landscape.” Frank Simms, Singer