February, 2005

In this issue...

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PRIMETIME/THEATRICAL AGREEMENT - REFERENDUM PENDING
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
SOUND RECORDINGS NOTES
LOCAL BRIEFS
LABOR UPDATES
WE REMEMBER
UNION EXTRAS

PRIME TIME/THEATRICAL NEGOTIATIONS
On Saturday, January 29, the joint board of AFTRA and SAG voted to approve and recommend to its joint membership a tentative three-year TV/Theatrical agreement reached on January 20 with the studios and networks. Ballots will be mailed to members on February 7 and must be received at the designated post office box no later than February 28 . Informational meetings will be held in New York , Los Angeles , Chicago , San Francisco and DC, schedule listed below.

Informational Meeting Schedule

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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Media Consolidation Victory
The broad-based challenge to unfettered media consolidation scored a huge victory as the United States Government declined to challenge the lower court ruling upholding the Prometheus decision which overturned the relaxation of media ownership rules instituted by the FCC. Although the NAB has announced they will take the issue to the Supreme Court, the absence of the Solicitor General on behalf of the Government renders that challenge unlikely to succeed. AFTRA and its members were among the earliest voices urging caution and thoughtfulness in tinkering with the delicate balance of media ownership. We have spoken out often on this issue – including at FCC hearings and public forums in Seattle , WA , Monterrey , CA and St. Paul , MN – and we will continue to fight for broad access to and diversity in the media.

"Indecency" Fines are Back
The House of Representatives has once again introduced a bill that would fine broadcast licensees and individual performers, announcers and broadcast journalists $500,000 for utterances deemed “indecent” whether live or taped. The bill – H.R. 310 – eliminates the existing warning for first offenses and increases the fines exponentially from their current $27,000 for licensees and $11,000 for individuals. Although the bill appears to be on a fast track – a similar bill was passed overwhelmingly last year – AFTRA continues to assert that such fines have a chilling effect on free speech and artistic freedom. Look for an email update on this issue soon.

AFTRA Files Amici Brief in Grokster Case
As part of a multi-union effort, AFTRA signed on to an amici brief in the Grokster case. The brief addresses copyright infringement via the use of peer-to-peer piracy. A statement by the unions on this issue says: “"If the work of creators is not protected, and is used around the world without just payment, it is very likely that, in the end, neither the creator nor the copyright holder will be able to continue to make this work available. The losers will not only be those artists whose talent and hard work is the creative heart on each screen, TV and Ipod; but also the very public that enjoys quality movies, music and television."
To read the statement, go to http://www.aftra.com/press/pr_20060126_grokster_statement.htm
To view the brief go to http://www.aftra.com/legislative/grokster_amicus_20050125.pdf

Health Care for All Californians - Report Released
At a Press Conference in Sacramento on January 19, State Senator Sheila Keuhl released a study by the Lewin group analyzing the cost of implementing a universal, single payer health care system for California . The report found that California could save $8 billion in the first year alone, by implementing a single payer system where individual insurance plans are eliminated and replaced by a state insurance system. The total savings under this plan, according to the report, from 2006 - 2015 would be $343.6 billion - that is the cumulative difference between what would be spent with the current system in place, and what would be spent under this program, with every Californian covered. The report further found that most Californians would pay less for the single payer system than they do now for premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.

The single payer system would in no way affect an individual's ability to choose his or her own doctor. It assumes an insurance plan that covers medical, dental and vision care; prescription drug; emergency room services; surgical and recuperative care; orthodontia; mental health care and rug rehabilitation, immunizations; emergency and other necessary transportation; laboratory and other diagnostic services; adult day care; all necessary translation and interpretation; chiropractic care; acupuncture; case management and skilled nursing care.

Senator Keuhl will be reintroducing legislation in February that would establish the single-payer system analyzed in the report. For more information, or to find a copy of the report, you can go to www.healthcareforall.org or you can call Leslie Simon, AFTRA LA's Director of Legislative and Public Affairs at 323-634-8118 or lsimon@aftra.com .

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SOUND RECORDINGS NOTES

Zomba Signs AFTRA Sound Recordings Code
BMG has agreed to cover its Gospocentric, Jive Records, Mojo Records, Silvertone Records, Verity, Violator Records and Volcano labels under an AFTRA contract. Discussions concerning coverage for Provident, its Gospel label, are continuing.

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LOCAL BRIEFS

ABC Television Network is accepting talent submissions for audition consideration in Local areas around the country including Portland , Seattle , Twin Cities , San Francisco , Dallas , Chicago , Philadelphia , Washington , DC, Atlanta , Miami and St. Louis . As part of ABC Television Network's ongoing effort to discover and nurture a diverse pool of creative talent in the entertainment industry, the network's Talent Development and Prime Time Casting departments are branching out across the U.S. to hold auditions for the network's upcoming pilots as well as ABC's Casting Project's Talent Showcase. Check the Network Auditions/Showcases page on the AFTRA website at http://www.aftra.com/member/showcases.htm for specific showcase information as each city's call for submissions are announced.

Los Angeles
Saturday, February 5
Diversity Outreach Expo 2005: Sponsored by NBC Universal
The Sportsmen's Lodge Event Center : 12833 Ventura Blvd.
Admission is free: Reservations Required - www.nbcjobs.com or 818-840-6530

Two of the panels at the Diversity Outreach Expo that are of special interest to AFTRA members are:

"On Equal Footing: Options and Resources for Artists with Disabilities"
MODERATOR: Dr. Olivia Raynor
PANELISTS: Deanne Bray ("Sue Thomas F.B. Eye"), Sid Craig (Sid Craig Management), Geri Jewell ("Deadwood" and "Facts of Life"), and John Belluso (Writer on ABC's "Eyes")

"Second Stage: A panel for Senior Actors in the Biz"
MODERATOR: Kathryn Joosten ("The West Wing")
PANELISTS: Gene Blythe (ABC's Executive Vice President of Casting), Mark Teschner (Casting Director, "General Hospital"), Actor Orson Bean, and agent Gerry Koch (The Gage Group)

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LABOR UPDATES
On January 26,casting directors held a news conference regarding their desire to be represented by the Teamsters in New York and Los Angeles . In Los Angeles , about 300 people from various walks of the entertainment industry came out in support, including AFTRA National President, John P. Connolly. In his comments, Connolly noted, “Most important is that our Industry recognize the crucial role that Casting Directors bring to the artistry of stage and screen. It is the inestimable value of their treasure trove of deep, time tested and intimate knowledge of the evolving talent pool that brings together Directors, Writers, and yes, Producers with the right Actors to make the magic of our Cinema, Television and Theater possible. The ladies and gentlemen of the casting community are today asking of our Industry that which nearly every other artist, craft worker and management employee enjoys: health care and a pension system, along with union recognition to help secure these reasonable benefits. I urge our employers to step up and do the right thing for these major contributors to all of our successes.”

The California Federation of Labor (the state AFL-CIO) and its affiliated unions will award $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors throughout California in 2005. Eligible is any graduating senior from a California high school who plans to enroll in an accredited college or technical school in 2005. The deadline for submission is April 15, 2005. For additional information call (510) 663-4025, email to scholarships@calaborfed.org or visit the California Labor Federation website at www.calaborfed.org/Scholarship2005.htm .

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WE REMEMBER

Steve Susskind (1942-2005), a successful actor and voiceover artist, and AFTRA National Board member and activist. His career started in earnest when he arrived in LA. In television, he had recurring roles on Married With Children, Get Real, News Radio and the upcoming John Stamos show; in film, Friday the 13 th , Part 3 brought him fame; in voiceover, Shrek and Monsters Inc. were his favorites and we will continue to see and hear Steve for years to come. He and his beloved Ann met while both working on a play called Broadway at the Landmark Theater. Steve will be missed, not only by his family, but by his extended AFTRA family as well.

If you would like to make a donation in Steve's memory, please send to:

Steve Susskind Memorial Fund
c/o Don LaFontaine
Tisherman Agency
6767 Forest Lawn Drive, Suite 101
Los Angeles , CA 90068

This fund will make possible the Memorial Celebration on March 14, 2005.

Ruth Warrick (1915-2005), an actor and daytime veteran (“As The World Turns”, “Guiding Light”) known best for her portrayal of Phoebe Tyler Wallingford on "All My Children." She made her Hollywood debut in 1941 in "Citizen Kane" and starred in other films as well as appearing on Broadway. Besides her acting, Warrick had a strong commitment to the arts in education. She is survived by three children, a grandson and six great-grandchildren.

Johnny Carson (1925 – 2005), one of America 's most influential entertainers, he hosted 22,000 guests during his 30 years on "The Tonight Show." Carson had a great impact on television and changed the shape of late-night. Carson began his career as a teenager in Nebraska , and moved to Los Angeles in 1950, becoming a staff announcer at the local CBS station, KTSL-TV (now KCBS-TV Channel 2), which led to his own program, " Carson 's Cellar." He subsequently wrote for Red Skelton's TV show. Carson ascended to network television at the age of 29, headlining a daytime show and substituting on CBS' "The Morning Show." In 1957, he became host of what became a popular ABC daytime show, "Who Do You Trust?" which first paired him with Ed McMahon.

His list of honors included six Emmys and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. He also was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, and was celebrated by the Kennedy Center for career achievement the next year.

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UNION EXTRAS
Union Plus Benefits for Union Members
Just as unions provide strength in the workplace, Union Privilege provides strength in the marketplace. Union Privilege delivers the best benefits through the collective buying power of over 13 million AFL-CIO union members and designs programs that help union members enjoy life at a great price. By using the collective buying power of unions, Union Privilege is able to offer a variety of high quality, discounted products and services exclusively to working families.

AFTRA members enjoy discounts on credit services, legal services, pet services, travel, computers and more. Go to www.unionplus.org to see all the discounts available to you.

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