|
|
The Cost of Not Paying Dues
I've been thinking lately about my AFTRA dues. Yep, they went up a little this November. I knew they would. We delegates to the AFTRA Convention two years ago voted, not at all happily, to increase our dues and also to pass a $50
assessment for two years only.
This was because our organization was facing an immediate threat. SAG, the Screen Actors Guild, was withdrawing more than $2 million in support as they restructured away from joint local offices. We in AFTRA were not willing to abandon wholesale our local offices. We needed the new revenues to bridge to a
new, self-sufficient
organization.
The increased revenues have worked as intended. Recently, the AFTRA National Board passed a new blueprint for operations that meets our objectives to both grow the union and make more efficient use of our members hard-earned dues.
That blueprint cuts costs by $4 million over the next four years. We reduced the size of our Board and the frequency of meetings. We cut staff salaries and benefits. We will move the national office to save money. We will de-commission two local offices, but keep the other twelve. We will live within our means. Now we are prepared to stand alone.
Yes, our dues went up, but AFTRA is still a less expensive membership than most any other union in the entertainment industry. And you have to look at the return on the investment.
How much do you figure it’s worth to have a measure of equal treatment, respect and dignity at work? How do you cost out the fact that you can appeal your employer’s “final say” to a neutral third party (i.e. an arbitrator) and have that arbitrator issue a decision that your boss has to accept? How valuable is it to you to have a minimum floor for salaries and access to information about area salary standards when it comes time for your individual contract?
Without AFTRA Codes, freelance rates would plummet. Ever wonder what it costs not to have a
union? Our colleagues at Channel 4, where no AFTRA agreement applies, are now reported to be facing starting reporter salaries in the mid-twenties and non-competes of up to two years--terms and
conditions we can’t imagine at AFTRA shops at Channels 2 and 11.
AFTRA is our organization because only we pay for it. If we have a problem with the
organization, we settle it in-house. The members decide. Yes, our union dues are a cost, but nothing like the cost of a workplace where every staff member is on their own, where jobs may go to the lowest bidder, and where fairness, equal treatment and dignity are only a distant dream.
|
- Contents -
|
Employers Who Did the Right Thing
December wasn’t an easy month for members covered by our health Plan. The long expected and necessary belt-tightening of the AFTRA Health and Retirement Fund meant new health premiums for some, and larger health premiums for others. To be covered for January through March, 2005, a participant had to make a quarterly payment of up to $575 by December 30.
We knew these changes were coming, and we did our best to prepare members who would be affected. Last summer, Trustees (AFTRA leaders on the Board of the Fund) came to town. They explained the hard choices involved in keeping a health plan solvent. They asked for input on plan design. We met with station shop stewards. They handed out flyers to members that described the new costs. At bargaining tables, we demanded increased Employer contributions as a requirement for settlement. We had member meetings at the stations and went over all the options.
I like to think these activities helped our members deal with the extra cost.
One other thing we did turns out to be a very big help. We asked the employers, the station managers, to permit members to have their health premiums paid through payroll deduction of wages using pre-tax dollars. This is possible through a special IRS regulation (Section 125) and is often employed in so-called cafeteria benefit plans. It’s a good idea and results in savings of nearly 30% of the premium cost.
To their credit, some Employers stepped up. Clear Channel Pittsburgh permitted AFTRA members at WWSW, WBGG, and WDVE to check off their health premiums. ESPN Radio (WEAE) and KQV Radio decided to permit payroll deduction of premiums even in the mid-term of the AFTRA labor contract.
To Chuck Weaver and John Rohm at Clear Channel, to Dennis Begley and Mike Pascarella at WEAE, and to Bob Dickey and Cheryl Scott at KQV, I want to express the heart-felt thanks of our members, your employees. You helped make our holidays a little bit happier.
To those other employers who haven’t yet answered our request for help: We know Christmas is past, but it’s still not too late to do the right thing. Cooperation will go a long way at the workplace.
|
- Contents -
|
Finally! New Pacts at Clear Channel
AFTRA members at WWSW-FM and WBGG-AM last month ratified a new contract, ending marathon negotiations over thirty months. They joined their co-workers at WDVE, who also ratified a similar new agreement.
At issue at both tables was Clear Channel’s demand for unlimited voice-tracking rights and their low contribution rate to the AFTRA H&R Fund for employee benefits. The new pacts feature important boosts in the Company contribution to H & R, as well as
increases in the cap at DVE. On voice-tracking, the Company committed to no displacement of current day employees, as well as guarantees that all voice-tracking, if done, would be done by AFTRA members with full H & R paid on all compensation.
The new deals also provide 2.5% wage scale increases in each of the next three years and
access to company dental, disability, 401(K) with no match, and pre-tax flex medical spending accounts. Plus, for the first time ever, members can choose to have their AFTRA dues paid by payroll deduction (check-off).
This outcome would not been possible without the sustained support and determination of AFTRA members at the station. Sheri Seiter, Mike Frazer, Bill Cameron, and Sean McDowell deserve special thanks and congratulations.
Channel 2 Talks Close to Settlement
When AFTRA and KDKA-TV got together last month after a 9-month bargaining hiatus, what a difference in the company’s approach! Clearly, new GM Chris Pike wants to set a fresh tone. Gone were company demands for wage scale cuts and limits on AFTRA jurisdiction. For the first time in the 2+ year bargaining, the Company agreed to wage scale increases and critical increases in the H & R contribution rate, as well as new comp time language. The station’s last offer still falls short on a few issues, and the Freelance Agreement still needs work, but hopes are high for a settlement when talks continue this month. AFTRA Local President Paul Martino ably assists in the bargaining.
Infinity FM Stations Inching Ahead
Contract talks at WDSY,WZPT, and WRKZ (formerly WBZZ) in November yielded some progress on two thorny issues: voice-tracking and Company H & R contributions. The station is mulling over an AFTRA package counter proposal, and talks are expected to resume in January. The parties resolved a grievance concerning severance pay when WBZZ changed over last July, and one member received an additional two weeks pay. AFTRA Station Rep Stoney Richards assists in the bargaining. Welcome to new members Kevyn Howard, Jerry Conrad, and Tracie Cockrell.
Talks Begin at KDKA-AM
The parties exchanged contract proposals last month and talks will continue in January. Mike Romigh, new AFTRA Station Rep, will assist in bargaining. One issue looming is a company proposal to go back to the 6-day work week. “We’ve been there before,” commented one member. “We don’t want to go back.”
Channel 11 Talks to Begin Soon
Newspersons at WPXI /PCNC are completing their contract surveys as AFTRA prepares to open negotiations next month. No doubt overtime and comp time, cable fees, personal contract crediting issues, and scheduling will be concerns in the upcoming talks. All members send out best wishes to Station Rep Dee Thompson, who’s had a tough year with illness.
Stations Permit Pre-Tax Deductions
The AFTRA H&R health premium rates increases went into effect January 1. Last November, AFTRA sent Broadcast Employers a special request to permit payment of AFTRA health premiums through payroll deduction using pre-tax dollars. We want to thank and recognize the following stations who said “yes”: KQV Radio, WEAE-AM, WWSW-FM, WBGG-AM, WDVE-FM. Because of this program, our members can now save about a third of their premium costs. The program is still under consideration at WAMO and SBN.
|
- Contents -
|
There's Good News and Bad News
The bad news is that one of our largest signatory advertising agencies is producing non-union in a most obvious way. It wasn’t meant to be obvious, of course but the good news is that we found out about it anyway. More good news is that we have proof that the agency violated its signatory agreement and we can do something about it. Hope this makes you mad enough to want to get involved.
Brian Bronaugh, President of the Pittsburgh AdFed and Sr. V.P./Creative Director at Mullen and Ralph Vituccio of CMU’s Entertainment Technology Center attended our October Membership Meeting and gave terrific presentations. Brian filled us in on his plans for the AdFed and how we can get involved. His vision of the AdFed becoming more significant and responsive to the local industry’s needs is inspiring and one that all AFTRANs should be a part of.
Ralph presented and talked about his film, “Valley Town: 1984” that documented President Reagan’s visit to Pittsburgh at the height of the steel mill closings and featured steel workers and their families speaking of their struggles with unemployment. As Adrienne Wehr described it, “a reminder of why we do what we do and why our union is so important.”
And speaking of Adrienne, she and singer Jessica Lee, presented another successful celebration of Pittsburgh’s Film and Television Industry. The packed house included everyone who has an interest in seeing more work in our region including Rep. Tom Stevenson who sponsored the tax incentive bill we worked so hard on, Allen Kukovich from the Governor’s
office, Tom Savini and Marty Schiff and hundreds of others.
|
- Contents -
|
National Board Ratifies New Regional Freelance Code
The AFTRA National Board, in videoconference plenary session November 20 in New York and Los Angeles, unanimously approved the Cleveland Pittsburgh Tri-State Regional Television and Radio Commercials Code of Fair Practice("CPT Regional Commercial Code"). This contract will replace the individual agreements in each of these Locals, and will become effective on or about January 1, 2005, and expire concurrently with the National Codes on October 29, 2006.
In addition to increasing rates, the new agreement will make it easier for our members to work across boundaries in Cleveland and Columbus. Rate specifics and other features will be announced as the contract is rolled out over the next six weeks. Cathy Nowlin of the Cleveland Local, John Armstrong and Kim Herzner of Tri-State, and John Haer and Suzanne Steidl of Pittsburgh, and member committees in all three locals were involved in the creation of this new agreement. One of the major features of the new Code is its direct connection to the overlying National agreements. When new National Commercials contracts are negotiated, our rates will automatically increase by the same percentage, at the same time.
National Business
In other action, the National Board overwhelmingly approved (75-1) the recently negotiated Network Television Code ("Net Code"), which will now be mailed to the membership for ratification. If ratified, the new three-year network pact will expire November 15, 2007.
AFTRA achieved its primary goal in negotiations by winning the largest increase in employer contributions into the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds ("H&R Funds") since the inception of the H&R Funds fifty years ago. The negotiated increase, amounting to $18 million in new contributions on $300 million in earnings, easily meets or exceeds the standards set by other recently negotiated industry deals. In addition, the parties agreed to dedicate an existing 1% contribution amount (previously paid into a separate defined-contribution individual savings plan) into the H&R Funds, resulting in an additional $9 million in contributions over the life of the 3-year contract. As a whole, new contributions flowing into the H&R Funds during the contract term will increase by at least 25%.
AFTRA National President John Connolly said, "We did an enormous amount of work reaching out to AFTRA members via meetings with casts and constituency groups to identify their concerns and needs as we prepared our negotiating package. We put those concerns on the table, and naturally the employers resisted. However, when our working members showed up at negotiations en masse to express support for the union's proposals, the employers listened. It's a deceptively simple method really: our union provides a mechanism for working artists to speak directly to their employers with a united voice. When the employers understand how serious their workers are about our issues, they are forced to listen and act accordingly. We have plenty of imperfections, but for working performers, our unions, and this process, are the only -- and best -- game in town."
Other highlights of the deal include:
Program fee increases of 3%, 2.5% and 3% annually.
Increases in coverage of Stunt Coordinators and Choreographers.
Background actor and stand-in rate increases.
A new procedure to afford additional notice and protections to serial performers in circumstances where producers seek to negotiate new terms at the expiration of the actor's contract cycle.
Other actions taken by the Board at the November meeting:
David Hartley-Margolin of Denver was named Trustee to the H&R Funds to fill the seat held by former AFTRA National President, the late Frank Maxwell,
Bobbie Bates of Los Angeles was named to the Administrative Committee to fill the seat held by the late Frank Maxwell.
The Public Radio Freelance Agreement was extended through September 2005 with increases in program fees and H&R contributions.
The passage of two resolutions in support of the rights of journalists to protect confidential sources and conduct standard information gathering without fear of legal retaliation.
|
- Contents -
|
AFTRA Members Win Big
This year's list of AIR Awards winners proves one thing. In Pittsburgh, the best talent is AFTRA talent. Of the 29 crystal awards given, the vast majority of them went to AFTRA Pittsburgh members, signatory stations and ad agencies.
The ninth annual A.I.R. awards luncheon took place yesterday at the Holiday Inn Greentree. Funds raised go to The March of Dimes and help support their research, community service, advocacy and education programs.
Zeke of the "Y108 Country Crew" (Rick Eberhart) spoke of his personal experiences as the parent of a premature baby and of the work done by the March of Dimes.
Jack Bogut, who has entertained several generations of Pittsburghers during his 35+ years in the market was presented the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the AIR Awards Board of Governors. Jack has been a member of our local since 1968.
The dean of Pittsburgh newscasters, KDKA's Bob Kopler, proved why he continues to be the best by taking home his record fifth AIR Award in a row for Best Newscaster.
KDKA's Steve Hansen and WPTT's Lynn Cullen were the hosts for the event.
Here is the complete list of winners in the order of presentation.
Best Traffic Reporter
Tim King - Metro Networks
Best Sports Coverage Play-by-Play
KDKA “Pirates 2004” *
Best Sports Coverage Reporting
KDKA Pirates Coverage *
Best Sports Reporter
TIE
Joe Destio ESPN RADIO 1250 “Steel City Replay” *
Jeff Hathhorn KDKA “KDKA Morning Show Sports *
Best News Coverage
KDKA Radio News “Firefighter Funeral” *
Best Newscaster
Bob Kopler - KDKA(5th Consecutive Year!)*
Best Public Affairs Program or Feature
WYEP “The Allegheny Front Goes to the Great Allegheny Passage”
Best Station Sponsored Community Event
WDSY “Scholarship Cruise” *
Best On-Air Audience Promotion
WZPT “Second Chance Prom” *
Best Station Image Promo
KDKA “Storm Center Practice” *
Best Production or Creative Services Director
WZPT “Drake Donovan” *
Best Mid-day Show on a Music Station
WDSY-Tracey Morgan “Work with Me” *
Best Mid-day Show on a News Talk, Personality or Sports Station
KDKA- The Mike Pintek Show *
Best Afternoon Show on a Music Station
WKST - Scotty
Best Afternoon Show on a News Talk, Personality or Sports Station
WORD- The Marty Minto Show
Best Weekend Show
KDKA Sports Saturday with Jeff Hathhorn *
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jack Bogut *
Best Use of Humor in a Spot
Garrison Hughes - Pittsburgh Passion - “Daddy’s Little Girl”
Best Original Music in a Spot
James Carter/Wrecking Crew Music “Bruster’s Real Life”
Best Individual Performance in a Radio Spot
Bill Cameron- WDVE “7-Eleven/ Sparky II” *
Best Commercial Spot by a Radio Station
WDVE “7 Eleven/Here for you” *
Best Commercial Spot by an Agency
Garrison Hughes - Pittsburgh Passion - “Daddy’s Little Girl”
Best Radio Advertising Campaign
Smith Brothers Advertising - Pittsburgh Brewing - “On Tap”*
Best Evening Show on a Music Station
WRKZ - Bob Orilee *
Best Evening Show on a News Talk, Personality or Sports Station
WPGB - Ellis Cannon’s Sportsline Pittsburgh *
Best New Talent in the Market
Scotty - WKST
Best Talk Show Host
Marty Minto- WORD “The Marty Minto Show”
Best Morning Show
WDSY- The Y108 Country Crew with Monty, Chris & Zeke *
* AFTRA member, or signatory station or agency.
|
- Contents -
|
Master Class in Voiceover Techniques
Master voice over artist and Pittsburgh member, Jeff Bergman, presented an all day workshop in November under the Conservatory banner to a class limited to 25 participants. Invited guests were Marianne Shaffer and Dave Manganelli from MARC USA and Tom Kikta of DDAI, Inc., an uptown recording studio.
No one could have guessed that Jeff had just stepped off the red-eye from LA where he was voicing WB cartoons — his presentation was enthusiastic, fresh and informative. Devoted primarily to the business of the business Jeff lectured and led a discussion covering a wide range of topics.
Marianne and Dave talked about what they look for when they’re casting actors for radio and TV commercials, what they like to hear in voice demos, and how they and other producers work in the studio. They also critiqued demos that Jeff played for the class. Jeff works with Marianne and Dave as the voice of Gus the Groundhog in MARC’s successful PA Lottery campaign.
Tom filled the class in on every aspect of demo production including material, costs and available formats for distribution.
Thanks to Jeff and to Marianne, Dave and Tom for sharing their considerable talent and expertise.
|
- Contents -
|
Union Actors and Writers Spoof Newsmakers for Charity
The aura was electric as 900 patrons jammed the Byham Theater last September to experience “Off the Record IV, Talk Show Smackdown”, the annual gridiron-style musical satire written by Post-Gazette journalists, acted and sung mostly by local professional artists, and presented jointly by the two unions representing, among others, those who cover and present the local news: Pittsburgh AFTRA and the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh/CWA 38061.
This year’s focus, ably set by Emcee Ken Rice from KDKA, was the inevitable slide of Pittsburgh into financial ruin revealed through a debate spectacle between radio talk show hosts Lynn Cullen (Lisa Dapprich) and Fred Honsberger (Tony Marino).The cast of characters ran the gamut from Melissa Hart to Myron Cope to Governor Rendell. As stated in the program, the worst of time for the human condition provides the most material for comedy, and lately Pittsburgh has more than its share.
The frivolity had a purpose. The event raised more than $30,000 for the Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and also benefited the scholarship funds of the two unions.
The work of all the volunteers, headed by P-G writers Gary Rotstein and Chris Rawson, assisted by donor developer extraordinaire Linda Dickerson, deserves wide recognition and thanks.
Other AFTRA members starring in Off the Record IV were Paul Martino, Nancy Mimless, David Early, Rodney Reagan, Chuck Aber, David Flick, Laurie Klatscher, Harry O’Toole, Tim Hartman, Sara Gaille, and
Patrick Jordan.
|
- Contents -
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Dave Manganelli, Marianne Shaffer and Jeff Bergman
|
|
President's Message
Executive Director's Report
Broadcast News
Freelance Matters
National Board Report
2004 A.I.R. Awards
Conservatory Scores Again
Off The Record IV
Membership Meeting Notice
Talent Guide
AFTRA/SAG Credit Union
Masthead
|
|
|
Click Image
|
- Contents -
|
|
Online Marketing — Still Free for Members!
The AFTRA Local Board has again decided to subsidize the online Talent Guide! Pay the $75.00 to $250.00 some sites charge, if you like, but try thetalentguide.com first. AFTRA Pittsburgh members in good standing are eligible for a FREE page on the Talent Guide site, but you MUST renew for 2005. It doesn't matter whether you're Freelance or Broadcast, one thing is certain. You'll be changing jobs sometime in your future. Get your name and face and voice out there.
Click logo to enroll or re-enroll.
|
- Contents -
|
|
Pittsburgh Members Qualify
Lower Auto Loan Rates!
AS LOW AS:
New Vehicles 1999-2005
4.25% APR 0% Down
3.75% APR 20% Down
1998 and Older Vehicles
4.75% APR 0% Down
New lower Visa rates (7.9%)
New Online Mortgage Center
Online Bill Pay - Coming in October
Save money on loans and bank charges, and enjoy the other benefits of credit union membership. Join today!
Click logo for details.
|
- Contents -
|
|
AFTRA Pittsburgh NewsBriefs is published quarterly and mailed to Pittsburgh AFTRA members, signatories, and allies.
Your article ideas, news, constructive criticism, calendar items and overall input are most welcome. Please call Production Director Nancy Barron.
Web version edited by Mark Roberts
Contact:
Pittsburgh Local
(p) 412-281-6767
(f) 412-281-2444
(web) www.aftrapgh.com
(e) pittsburgh@aftra.com
AFTRA National
(p) 212-532-0800
(web) www.aftra.org
Health & Retirement
(p) 800-562-4690
(p) 212-213-2022
|
- Contents -
|
|
