AFTRA FLASH

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

September 2006

YOUR BALLOT HAS BEEN MAILED
INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

2006 Extension Agreement to 2003 SAG Commercials Contract and the 2003 AFTRA Television and Radio Recorded Commercials Contracts

On August 26, the Joint SAG/AFTRA National Board of Directors voted by a majority of nearly 95% to recommend a two-year Extension Agreement of the 2003 SAG Commercials Contract and the 2003 AFTRA Television and Radio Recorded Commercials Contracts which would be expanded to cover all commercials, made for, or exhibited on New Media.

Here’s What We Gained In this Two-Year Extension Agreement:

• FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF COMMERCIALS, ALL ACTORS WILL BE CLEARLY COVERED UNDER A UNION CONTRACT FOR THEIR WORK IN NEW MEDIA. THE TERM NEW MEDIA IS INTENDED TO BE ALL INCLUSIVE OF DIGITAL, ELECTRONIC OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF DELIVERY PLATFORM, WHETHER NOW KNOWN (PODCAST, MOBILE PHONES, MP3 PLAYERS, ETC.) OR UNKNOWN
  Previously, jurisdiction of New Media was not clearly set out in the contracts.
  
  
• ALL WAGE MINIMUMS INCREASE 6% ON OCTOBER 30, 2006, INCLUDING CLASS A, CABLE, WILD SPOT, BACKGROUND PERFORMERS AND SPANISH LANGUAGE
  Class A rates will increase for the first time since 1985.
  
  
• COMMERCIALS MADE DIRECTLY FOR NEW MEDIA
  Session, editing rights, and exclusivity shall be bargained freely as separate categories as they currently are with commercials made directly for the Internet.
  
  
• COMMERCIALS MADE FOR BROADCAST THAT ARE MOVED OVER TO
  INTERNET AND/OR NEW MEDIA
  New 8-week cycle paid at not less than the applicable session fee -any additional use beyond the 8-week cycle requires payment above and beyond the present contract. Editing rights shall be bargained freely as a separate category.
  
  
• THE CONTRIBUTION RATE TO THE SAG PENSION PLAN AND THE AFTRA HEALTH AND RETIREMENT FUND INCREASES BY 0.5% TO 14.8% AS OF OCTOBER 30, 2006
  For the Screen Actors Guild, the increase will be fully dedicated to the SAG Pension Plan. AFTRA’s 0.5% rate increase will be allocated as the Health & Retirement Fund Trustees deem necessary.

Why Extend the Contracts?

The two-year extension:

Brings stability and continued continuity, as well as substantial increases, while at the same time allowing for a study of the exploding growth of New Media now recognized by the Industry as under the unions’ jurisdiction

Allows added time to refine our positions throughout the contract to ensure that we maximize our wages and working conditions to the fullest 9 Opportunity to mount a campaign to build support around our negotiating priorities

We will build on these achievements in full negotiations in the fall of 2008 with a clearer understanding of the impact which rapid technological changes will have on our contracts.

WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES TO APPROVE THIS TWO YEAR CONTRACT EXTENSION.

THE JOINT AFTRA/SAG NATIONAL BOARD

THE AFTRA PITTSBURGH LOCAL BOARD

RETURN YOUR BALLOT BY SEPT. 26

Once you get your ballot in the mail, please be sure to vote immediately. Your Ballot must be received via U.S. Mail at the Everett Post Office Box by 5 PM (PDT) Tuesday, September 26, 2006.

If you haven’t received ballot, please contact your local office.

INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS

Currently paid-up members of SAG and/or AFTRA may attend informational meetings held in these cities prior to the voting deadline. You must present a paid-up SAG OR AFTRA membership card for admission. Plan to attend the informational meeting in your area. Please note that a meeting was held in Los Angeles on August 24, 2006.

Please call your SAG Branch or AFTRA Local office for more information if they do not have a meeting listed below.

Washington/Baltimore
September 8, 2 – 4 pm
Chevy Chase Holiday Inn
5520 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.
Chevy Chase, MD