AFTRA FLASH

June 2004

In this issue

Please click on the following links to take you to the news...

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
BROADCAST NEWS
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
MEDIA OWNERSHIP
AGENCY UPDATE
UPCOMING EVENTS
· Health Care National Day of Action
· Global Entertainment Media Summit – Los Angeles
· Actor’s Fund Seminars – New York
MEMORIALS
CONGRATULATIONS

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING:

Remaining Network Television Code Wages And Working Conditions Meetings – New York
In preparation for the talks with television networks and producers, the Union is holding meetings around the country to gather input from members in order to formulate contract proposals.
AFTRA members are invited to attend these meetings upon presentation of their current (paid-up) membership cards.

All meetings will be held in the AFTRA New York Local Board Room on the 7th floor at 260 Madison Avenue.

Promo Announcers
June 15, 2004 5:30PM - 7:30PM
June 17, 2004 12:00PM - 2:00PM

Puppeteers
June 14, 2004 5:00PM -7:00PM

Singers and Dancers
June 17, 2004 6:00PM - 8:00PM

Los Angeles W&W meetings have concluded.

back to index

BROADCAST NEWS:

Chicago Broadcasters Call For AFTRA Representation
Broadcasters at Clear Channel’s WGCI AM/FM filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board in May requesting an election on AFTRA representation. The stations are two of the most successful radio stations in Chicago. Go to AFTRA Chicago (www.aftra.com/locals/chicago.htm) for further updates.

Study Shows Journalists Discontented With Profession
A study by The Pew Research Center concluded that more than half of journalists believe that their profession is “off the mark and headed down the wrong path.” The study cites “financial pressure” as the main reason why journalists feel their profession is in its current state. Additionally, the study states ”those national and local journalists -about 75% - who have witnessed newsroom cuts firsthand are among the most worried about the effects of bottom-line pressures.” To see the complete results of the study, go to Pew Research Center (http://people-press.org/reports/display.php3?ReportID=214).

AFTRA Member Weighs in on Indecency Debate
Scott Allen Miller, talk show host on 680 AM WRKO in Boston, wrote an op-ed piece for The Boston Globe, criticizing the FCC’s ambiguity on the new indecency rules. “The Federal Communications Commission has declared a jihad against blue broadcasters. If the FCC's commissioners were sincere in their desire to make the public airwaves less vulgar, they would issue clear, precise, detailed indecency rules to radio and television stations, then duly enforce them,” said Miller ( Boston Globe, published May 21, 2004).

back to index

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

Historic Accounting Practices Bill Pending In California
Over the past week, AFTRA, the Recording Industry Association of America and members of the California Legislature, including the bill’s author Senator Kevin Murray, have been engaged in intense negotiations to hammer out a compromise version of SB 1034, the “Recording Industry Accounting Practices Act.” The amended compromise bill that has emerged would provide recording artists under royalty contracts the statutory right to confirm, through audits, proper payment for their work, and conduct such audits - or have such audits conducted by their chosen representatives - individually or in groups. The bill would also codify the ability to hire auditors on a contingency fee basis, which, combined with the ability to audit in groups, should increase the probability that artists will actually pursue audits.

The bill will return to the Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media Committee for a vote on June 15 and then will be heard by the Assembly Judiciary Committee before going to the full Assembly for a vote. The Senate passed an earlier version of the bill last year. For additional information about this, visit www.aftra.com.

New Indecency Fines Not Likely This Year
Momentum for the Indecency legislation that caused such an uproar this spring seems to be diminishing as the “Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act” languishes in the U.S. Senate. AFTRA was instrumental in protesting the legislation that would have levied fines against individual broadcasters after raising them by 5000% (from $11,000 to $500,000), double those fines that would apply to corporate licensees. Go to www.aftra.com for updates.

back to index

MEDIA OWNERSHIP:

FCC Localism Hearing: South Dakota
The FCC held its third localism hearing in May in Rapid City, SD. FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein reiterated the theme of the hearings, stating “localism means more than sponsoring fund-raisers and blood drives, it means addressing community needs and promoting local talent and artists.” The crowd of around 300 local broadcasters and other interested parties audibly agreed when Commissioner Michael Copps stated “it is indeed we the people who own the airwaves. No company, no station, no firm, no special interest owns an airwave in the United States.” Future hearings are tentatively set for Monterey, CA, Portland, ME, and Washington D.C. Check the FCC website (www.fcc.gov/localism) for more information.

back to index

AGENCY UPDATE:

Agency Website Additions
Agency contracts are now available on the AFTRA website (http://www.aftra.com/member/franchised.htm). Make sure you are signing a contract that conforms to either Exhibit C or Exhibit C-1 of the Agency Regulations.

back to index

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Rally for Health Care, June 19: Nationwide
44 million Americans are currently uninsured and the problem is only getting worse. In the last 60 seconds, five more people lost their health care coverage! Americans for Health Care is sponsoring Health Care National Day of Action, June 19. In cities across the country, thousands of people will join together to call for quality, affordable health care for all. For events planned in your city, go to Bridge The Gap (www.bridgingthegapforhealthcare.org/).

Global Entertainment Media Summit, June 12-13: Los Angeles
AFTRA is co-sponsoring the Global Entertainment Media Summit (GEMS) June 12-13 in Los Angeles. AFTRA members can save $50 off the walk-up registration rate. John Connolly will represent AFTRA on the panel “Health Care for Musicians: The AFTRA Deal and Other Alternatives” on June 13. Joy Gonzales, AFTRA’s Director of Sound Recordings, Los Angeles, will be present to address specific questions regarding the Sound Recordings Collective Bargaining Agreement. Go to GEMS
(www.globalentertainmentnetwork.com) or www.aftra.com for more information.

Actors’ Fund Seminars, June 14 and 16: New York
The Actors’ Fund is holding two upcoming seminars: “Budget Basics” and “Healing Careers.” “Budget Basics” will be held June 14 from 5:30 to 7pm. Learn essential tools for keeping track of your day-to-day income and expenses. Reservations required. Call Arlene Levinson at (212) 221-7300 ext. 145. “Healing Careers” will take place June 16 from 5:30 to 7pm. Hear from entertainment professionals who have pursued education and training to develop therapeutic sideline and second careers. The seminars will be at 729 Seventh Avenue, 10th Floor. For more information, contact The Actors’ Fund at 212-221-7300.

back to index

MEMORIALS:

The final curtain has fallen for Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Reagan died Saturday at the age of 93 after a long illness with Alzheimer's disease. Reagan, a one-time actor, was an AFTRA member since 1940. Reagan served as President of SAG from 1947-1952 and 1959-1960. In a letter announcing his illness in 1994, Reagan signed-off saying "let me thank you, the American people, for giving me the great honor of allowing me to serve as your president. When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future. I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright new dawn ahead."

Gene Wood, game show host and announcer for Family Feud, Match Game, Beat the Clock, Password, and many other shows died May 21. He was 78. Wood, an AFTRA member since 1952, contributed on many different levels to the entertainment industry. He wrote for Bob Keeshan’s Captain Kangaroo, developed with Bob the Captain Kangaroo Concerts for Young People, became a successful commercial actor in New York, and of course became a distinctive voice on TV, sometimes doing three different shows a week. His voice really was ubiquitous.

Actor Tony Randall passed away May 17 at the age of 84. An AFTRA member since 1946, Randall was best known for playing Felix Unger on The Odd Couple. Randall won an Emmy for his work on The Odd Couple and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998. He also appeared on David Letterman’s Late Show a record 70 times. Randall used his star status for, among other things, raising money for AIDS research in the 90’s and protesting apartheid in the 80’s. He founded the non-profit National Actors Theatre in 1991.

back to index

CONGRATULATIONS...

To the following AFTRA members honored by the Daytime Emmy Awards:

back to index

You have received this message from the AFTRA E-mail Notification Service. Notices are sent to the address you provided to the AFTRA Membership Department. This message is not a solicitation nor is it what is commonly known as "SPAM". If you do not want to receive notifications of this type from AFTRA in the future, send an E-mail to notice@aftra.com .  In the subject line type: Unsubscribe -  Membership Note: You cannot unsubscribe by clicking on the reply button. You must send a separate e-mail to notice@aftra.com .