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AFTRA FLASH
Your
Union news by email every couple of weeks |
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January 2004 In this issue Please click on the following links to take you to the news...
AFTRA NEWS In Unity is Our Strength in Negotiating Meeting in Los Angeles last weekend, SAG and AFTRA national board members unanimously approved the package of theatrical/television/Exhibit A contract proposals, in preparation for upcoming [though not yet scheduled] negotiations with the AMPTP. Presidents Melissa Gilbert (SAG) and John Connolly (AFTRA) said: "Our joint board has endorsed the priorities established by the members who work under every provision of these important contracts. SAG and AFTRA have worked in unity in our continuing commitment to a shared goal." For more information on these negotiations, visit http://www.aftra.com/member/prime.htm AFTRA Shows – Welcome and Congrats New shows in the AFTRA arena include Mike Newell's drama pilot Huff, picked up by Showtime and starring Hank Azaria, Oliver Platt and Blythe Danner; Lifetime's Class Actions, a pilot for primetime starring Diane Venora; and This Just In, a flash animation project for Spike TV. And congrats to AFTRA shows and members receiving 2004 Golden Globe nominations:
LABOR ISSUES Tell Our Legislators to Help Our Pension Plans For union members - including AFTRA members - covered by multi-employer pension plans, it’s important to reach out now and tell your elected officials to pay attention when pension reform legislation is presented to them this session, and vote in favor of a temporary suspension in recognition of recent investment losses, similar to the legislation proposed for single-employer pension plans. Click here for more information and a sample letter. AFTRA Lends Support AFTRA members have been supporting striking and locked-out UFCW sisters and brothers in Los Angeles. AFTRA member and recording artist Tom Morello performed at a concert to benefit the workers sponsored by AFTRA and SAG. AFTRA Sound Recording Negotiating Committee Co-Chair Dan Navarro of Lowen and Navarro also hosted a live webcast concert in support of the striking workers.
To Vote or…To Vote – The Only Choice Last August, delegates at the AFTRA National Convention unanimously approved a resolution to alert members to the importance of voter registration and voting. If you are not currently registered to vote, stop by your AFTRA Local office where Voter Registration forms are available. Be ready to cast your vote in this year's presidential election. Working Only 9 to 5? Yeah, Right! The Department of Labor has issued information advising employers how to avoid paying overtime to low-income workers. The DOL is proposing monumental changes that would take away overtime pay protection from 8 million workers. The fight to protect overtime pay continues - visit http://www.saveovertimepay.org. Hearing is Believing The FCC will hold its second of six public hearings on broadcast localism in San Antonio on January 28. Chairman Michael Powell will preside, joined by three of the other four Commissioners: Abernathy, Copps, and Adelstein. Commissioners will have a chance to grill the panelists on how broadcasters serve their local communities, and there will be an "open mic" session afterward. For more information, visit www.fcc.gov/localism Human Rights Day – The Right Stuff Thousands of workers and their allies rallied in over 71 cities nationwide on December 10 to send a single message: Workers' Rights are Human Rights! Over 5,000 marched in LA, 2,500 protested with AFL-CIO President Sweeney in New York, 2,500 rallied in Washington DC on the steps of the Department of Labor. According to the AFL-CIO, "our fight is on and December 10 was just the beginning!" Check out: http://www.aflcio.org/aboutunions/voiceatwork/d10_gallery.cfm for photo highlights. ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY Network Television – Dead or Alive? Is network TV in trouble? According to an article by Josef Adalian in the Hollywood Reporter, the answer is yes. "Network TV is headed for its most radical makeover since the introduction of color," he said. According to Adalian, the following are changing trends in network TV:
Better Late than Never AFTRA awarded its special Crystal American Scene Award this past summer to CBS - TV for its realistic and diverse portrayals on The Young and the Restless. Unavailable to pick up the award in August, the following people got together in Los Angeles:
Three Rivers Overflow with Talent Pittsburgh film and TV professionals gathered and participated in open-mike interviews to discuss goals, achievements, challenges and their collective vision for fortifying film and television production in the region. Adrienne Wehr, producer of award-winning "indie" film sensation "The Bread, My Sweet" co-hosted and Suzanne Steidl, Assistant Executive Director of AFTRA Pittsburgh participated. AFTRA-ADDS What's New on the Internet? We Are! Check out the new look of the AFTRA website at www.aftra.org. Watch and Learn and Enjoy Tom Brokaw explores outstanding TV and radio news coverage with winners of the Alfred I. duPont Columbia University Awards in Without Fear or Favor: The Best In Broadcast Journalism, airing Monday evening, January 26 on PBS stations at 10:30 PM (check local listings) AFTRA Member to Watch Check out Anthony Hamilton's new album Comin' From Where I'm From Sad Notes… Former AFTRA National and LA Local Board member Les Tremayne passed away at 90. He was considered to have one of the best-known voices of radio's golden age and his voice was heard on such series as the Falcon, The Adventures of the Thin Man and One Man's Family. Also, William
J. "Bill" McCord,
staff announcer for nearly 30 years at NBC – the
voice of game shows Tic
Tac Dough and Twenty-One - passed
away in San Diego. He is the father of singer Billy
Vera, also an AFTRA member.
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