AFTRA - Your Voice in Music, Entertainment and News & Information -
Your Union

May 2006

In this issue
Please click on the following links to take you to the news...

NATIONAL BOARD ACTS TO RAISE STANDARDS
VIDEO GAMES TAKE AFTRA MEMBERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
AFTRA SALUTES
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
VISIT THE AFTRA WEBSITE
AFTRA H&R NEWS AND PREMIUMS DUE
LOCAL BRIEFS
CHICAGO
CLEVELAND
HOUSTON
NEW YORK
LOS ANGELES
SAN FRANCISCO
CONGRATULATIONS
WE REMEMBER
UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

NATIONAL BOARD ACTS TO RAISE STANDARDS
On April 29 and 30, the AFTRA National Board of Directors met by videoconference from Los Angeles and New York. Highlights of the meeting include:

• Approval an agreement to extend the Sound Recordings Code with recording labels by one year to June 30, 2007.
• Approval of participation in AFL-CIO coalition of labor unions to work together to improve standards for all workers in the arts, media, and entertainment industries.
• Establishment of a Regional Organizing Working Group to research commercial, non-broadcast, and other local productions in all regions in the country and develop comprehensive organizing plans.
• Approval of the formation of a Spanish Language Working Group to develop and coordinate strategies for organizing Spanish Language entertainment, media, and recordings.
• Approval of guidelines for contracts covering content made directly for electronic platforms, such as iPods, Internet, mobile phones, and other devices, which are not already covered under existing AFTRA Codes and Contracts.
• Unanimous adoption of a resolution condemning proposals by the Bush administration, as described in a report from Sunday's “New York Times,” to criminally prosecute reporters under espionage laws in an attempt to prevent leaks of information by government sources.
• Reaffirmation of the current process to explore a joint study of compensation models for performers in radio and television commercials.
  Click here for more details>>
  

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VIDEO GAMES TAKE AFTRA MEMBERS TO THE NEXT LEVEL
AFTRA is proud to be an official sponsor of the inaugural Hollywood and Games Summit taking place in Los Angeles on June, 27th at the Beverly Hills Hotel. AFTRA is hosting a BREAKFAST MEET AND GREET before the day's session. Click here for more information>>

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AFTRA SALUTES

                  ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH 
                                                  and 
                                OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

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VISIT THE AFTRA WEBSITE
Here’s a list of new links on the website and a reminder to check out the Union Plus/Union Privilege link.

New - ProSingers Access
Owned and operated by AFTRA LA Local members, this union-only website connects union singers with industry professionals. If you're a singer member of AFTRA and/or SAG, visit ProSingers Access now to create and post your own personalized webpage featuring your resume, headshot, contact information, union affiliations, and even audio and video clips of your work! Proof of current membership in AFTRA and/or SAG is required. Available nationwide.

New - STOP! Initiative - Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy Initiative
In October 2004, the federal government launched the STOP! Initiative—a comprehensive Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) initiative that has elevated cooperation between the federal government, the private sector, and many of our trading partners in an aggressive, unified effort against piracy and IPR theft. The STOP! Initiative is designed to crack down on the criminal networks that traffic in counterfeit and pirated products, stop trade in these goods around the globe and at America's borders, and help American businesses and creators secure and enforce their rights in overseas markets.

New - StreamingMedia.com
A diversified news media company serving and educating the streaming media industry and community. Streaming Media.com is an online destination for news, information, articles, directories and services. The site features thousands of articles, hundreds of hours of audio/video content, breaking news, research reports, industry directory, and case studies that showcase the latest real-world streaming media implementations.

Reminder - Union Plus/Union Privilege
Union Plus is offered by Union Privilege (created by the AFL-CIO in 1986) to provide consumer benefits to members, their families and retirees, of participating labor unions.

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AFTRA H&R NEWS AND PREMIUMS DUE
Keeping You Covered Through the Health Care Crisis
In mid-April, the AFTRA Health and Retirement Funds mailed to all Health Fund participants an important notice and booklet regarding changes to the Health Fund scheduled to take place beginning January 1, 2007. If you're a Health Fund participant, look for your copy in the mail. If you have questions about the scheduled changes, please contact either your AFTRA Local or AFTRA H&R at www.aftrahr.com.

H&R Premiums Due June 15
Have you received your AFTRA Health Plan Premium invoice? Remember, premiums for the July 1, 2006 quarter are due no later than June 15. If you have not received your premium invoice by now, call the AFTRA Health Fund immediately at 1.800.562.4690 or visit the AFTRA H&R website.

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LOCAL BRIEFS
Chicago
Special Chicago AFTRA Membership Meeting – May 8
Click here for more information including agenda items>>

Chicago’s AFTRA/SAG Radio Players Present “My Darling Clementine” – May 10
AFTRA/SAG Radio Players are gearing up for their next performance—another Lux Radio Theater triumph and a western to boot: “My Darling Clementine.” Click here for more information>>

Cleveland
Cleveland AFTRA Conservatory Program: “AN EVENING WITH JACK RILEY” – May 8
Click here for more information>>

Houston
Houston AFTRA Membership Meeting – May 15
Click here for more information including agenda items>>

New York
AFTRANY Spring Membership Meeting – May 10
Click here for more information including agenda items>>

The AFTRA@Work Seminar "Building Your Home Recording Studio (for Peanuts!)" attracted a full house of members on April 25
A full house attended the seminar on "Building Your Home Recording Studio (for Peanuts!)" presented on April 25 as part of the AFTRA@Work program. Participants learned the tips, tricks, techniques, and resources needed to put together an inexpensive, digital voiceover home studio. Upcoming events include the "NEW YORK COALITION OF PROFESSIONAL WOMEN IN THE ARTS AND MEDIA EVENT" on May 30. Visit the “Members Only” section of the AFTRA website to make sure AFTRA has current email addresses, so we can notify you of future events.

Open Door Lottery – May 16, 18, and 22
AFTRA's Open Door Program provides the opportunity for paid-up New York members to meet with casting directors and agents. Last year, members made more than 2,400 appointments with agents and casting directors through the program. All paid up members are eligible to participate. Click here for more information>>

Los Angeles
Click here to view the AFTRA Los Angeles Local schedule of upcoming events, classes, seminars, celebrations, and showcases>>

AFTRA LA Members Join 5th Anniversary Celebration of "The Bold and The Beautiful" Spanish-Language Simulcast.
AFTRA was honored to join the Spanish and English-language casts and the producers of "The Bold and The Beautiful" on April 25 as the show celebrated the fifth anniversary of its Spanish-language simulcast. More than 1,250 bilingual episodes of the show have been broadcast since the SAP simulcast debuted in 2001. AFTRA Board members Jason George and Matt Kimbrough joined local staff and other invited guests, including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, in celebrating this milestone. Congratulations!

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa with the producers and members of both the English and Spanish-Language casts of "The Bold and The Beautiful."

San Francisco
Click here to view the AFTRA San Francisco Local home page >>

CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the AFTRA Members and Programs Honored at the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Kim Zimmer, as REVA LEWIS Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series “GUIDING LIGHT” (CBS)

Anthony Geary, as LUKE SPENCER Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series “GENERAL HOSPITAL” (ABC)

Gina Tognoni, as DINAH MARLER Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series “GUIDING LIGHT” (CBS)

Jordan Clarke, as BILLY LEWIS Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series “GUIDING LIGHT” (CBS)

Jennifer Landon, as GWEN NORBECK Outstanding Younger Actress In A Drama Series “AS THE WORLD TURNS” (CBS)

Tom Pelphrey, as JONATHAN RANDALL Outstanding Younger Actor In A Drama Series “GUIDING LIGHT” (CBS)

Alex Trebek, HOST Outstanding Game Show Host JEOPARDY! (SYNDICATION)

Ellen DeGeneres, host Outstanding Talk Show Host “THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW” (SYNDICATION)

“GENERAL HOSPITAL” Outstanding Drama Series (ABC)

“SESAME STREET” Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series (PBS)

“THE ELLEN DEGENERES SHOW” Outstanding Talk Show (SYNDICATION)

Click here to visit the official Daytime Emmy Awards website>>

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WE REMEMBER

	Sam Chu Lin (1939-2006) award-winning broadcaster who joined the San Francisco Local when he began working in the Bay Area as a reporter at KRON-TV back in 1977. In an article in Asianweek.com longtime AFTRA member Vic Lee praised Sam saying: “I admired his aggressive pursuit of news stories and especially those that involved Asian Americans. Sam was one of the most ethical people I've met.”
	Gene Pitney (1941-2006) longtime recording artist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, his hits included "Town Without Pity," “Only Love Can Break a Heart," "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa,” and "Only Love Can Break a Heart"—Pitney's biggest U.S. hit, peaking at No. 2 on the charts in 1962.
	June Antoinette Pointer Whitmore (1953 - 2006) best known as a member of The Pointer Sisters, June and her three older sisters Ruth, Anita, and Bonnie grew up singing in the choir of an Oakland, California church where their parents were ministers. Debuting in 1973, The Pointer Sisters won a Grammy in 1974 for the song "Fairytale." Other hits included "I'm So Excited," "Fire," "Slow Hand," "Automatic," and "Jump (for My Love)."

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UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
Please remember to keep your contact information—including email—current with your AFTRA Local and AFTRA H&R. You can update your information by requesting a multi-use change of address form from your Local office. You can also update your information online at the AFTRA website, click on the "Members Only" button, fill out your information, and check a box to automatically forward your address change to AFTRA H&R!

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PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY!
Protect yourself from the growing problem of identity theft. Avoid using your Social Security number on any public document. Use your AFTRA Performer ID Number (that’s the number on your AFTRA Membership Card, not the number on your AFTRA Health & Retirement Card) whenever you fill out audition sign-in sheets, member reports, or send correspondence to the union. Do not put your Social Security number on resumes or headshots. If you can’t find your AFTRA Membership Card, call your AFTRA Local.

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