COMMERCIALS CONTRACTS UPDATE
AFTRA H&R
BROADCAST NEWS
SOUND RECORDINGS NOTES
AFTRA MEMBERS OPPOSE MEDIA CONSOLIDATION
DIVERSITY IN ACTION
NEW COMEDY CENTRAL AGREEMENT
LOCAL BRIEFS
CHICAGO
CLEVELAND
DALLAS/FT. WORTH
LOS ANGELES
TEXAS REGIONAL
UPDATE YOUR RECORDS
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
UNION EXTRAS

COMMERCIALS CONTRACTS UPDATE
Ballots for Commercials Contracts Referendum Due Back September 26
The Joint Board of AFTRA and Screen Actors Guild overwhelmingly approved a two-year extension to the Commercials Contracts with the advertising industry. Beginning September 5, ballots were mailed to all AFTRA and SAG eligible voters.

Filled-out ballots must be returned via mail and must be received at the assigned post office box in Everett, WA no later than 5 p.m. (PDT) Tuesday, September 26, 2006.

To read all the referendum material being sent to the AFTRA and SAG combined membership, including Presidents' message and ballot summary, click here>>

AFTRA H&R
H&R Premiums Due September 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.

Coming Soon: Dental/Vision Plans for members not enrolled in H&R!
AFTRA has been working with Group Benefit Associates (GBA) on programs to provide members who are not covered by the AFTRA Health Plan with dental and vision insurance. The Plans will be available beginning October 1, 2006. Watch your mailbox and e-mail for additional information. It will arrive within the next 2 weeks. For information about other GBA programs specifically designed for AFTRA members, visit www.groupba.us.

BROADCAST NEWS
Broadcaster Survey—Deadline for Survey Response is Friday, September 15!
If you haven’t already, don’t miss your opportunity to make sure your voice is heard to improve your job. The Broadcaster Survey is still available at survey.aftra.com, but only until Friday, September 15. Act now!

Click here for more information and to fill out the Broadcaster Survey>>

Get Ahead with AFTRA Broadcast Talent Review
When you want a prospective employer to review your reel, would you rather be in a stack of 50 tapes or voiceover CDs—or one easy click away from instant access? AFTRA members can now be on top of the pile with a new online service—AFTRA Broadcast Talent Review. You can easily create a comprehensive profile page that includes your resume, your bio, and your talent reel. With password protection, your page is completely private and secure. You control the people you want to see your page.

Click here for more information>>

SOUND RECORDINGS NOTES
AFTRA Joins Music Community Leaders at Policy Summit
In the wake of a series of forums held across the country, leaders from the music community, including AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, convened this week to develop strategies on a range of issues, including the inequity posed by new digital radio devices giving away copies of music without appropriate compensation to creators.

Click here to read the press release>>

AFTRA MEMBERS OPPOSE MEDIA CONSOLIDATION
AFTRA President Speaks Out Against Consolidation of Media Ownership
Speaking out against proposals to relax regulations on media ownership, John P. Connolly, National President of the AFTRA, testified before two members of the Federal Communications Commission as part of the FCC Town Hall Meeting sponsored by the National Latino Media Council at the University of Southern California.

Click here to read the press release>>

Tell the FCC Your Media Consolidation Stories
AFTRA members know the effects of consolidation of media ownership on our jobs, our lives, and our communities. Now is your chance to tell your stories about what media consolidation is doing to you. AFTRA wants to include your information in our official filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has issued a new "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" on its media ownership rules.

Click here for more information and to take action>>

DIVERSITY IN ACTION
AFTRA Women Are Concerned: “Ask A Working Woman” Survey Results Now Available
Pay isn’t keeping up with the cost of living. Health insurance is unaffordable—and one family illness can mean poverty. Retirement security is disappearing. Many working women feel they’re working just to pay for child care. They still face unequal pay and discrimination. Every day they watch the rich get richer and corporations and CEOs take more than their fair share of the pie.

More than 26,000 women—including many AFTRA members—shared their concerns by taking the 2006 AFL-CIO “Ask a Working Woman” survey in June-August. Their responses and comments, now available online, paint a troubling picture of the struggles of today’s working women.

Click here to visit the AFL-CIO website and view the full Survey results>>

NEW COMEDY CENTRAL AGREEMENT
New Agreement with Comedy Central Expands Job Opportunities and Increases Pay for AFTRA Members
A new agreement between the production arm of Comedy Central basic cable TV network and the AFTRA expands the types of programming and kinds of performers covered by the union contract.

Click here for more information>>

LOCAL BRIEFS
Chicago
AFTRA/SAG AGENT ACCESS Welcomes Jessica Thomas, Arlene Wilson Management
Submission deadline extended: 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 19.
Event: Wednesday, September 27.

Click here for details>>

Chicago’s AFTRA-SAG Radio Players Present a Drama, “A Drink of Water” and a Comedy, “A Piece of Pie” – Wednesday, September 27

Click here for details>>

Cleveland
Cleveland AFTRA Broadcasters to be Inducted into Hall of Fame!
Congratulations to Cleveland AFTRA Local President Joe Mosbrook! Joe will be inducted into the Radio and Television Broadcasters Hall of Fame of Ohio as part of the Class of 2006 on Sunday, October 8. Other Cleveland AFTRAns to be inducted include current members Denise Dufala, Michael Reghi and Casey Coleman and former Cleveland members Jim Doney, Betty Korvan, Les Levine and Joe Castiglione. Special recognition will be given to long-time Cleveland AFTRA members Big Chuck (Schodowski) and Lil’ John (Rinaldi), this year’s recipients of the Living Legacy Award. Presenters include AFTRA members Neil Zurcher, Bob Martz (Detroit), Tom Beres, Ted Lux, Dan Coughlin, along with former Cleveland members Paul Orlousky, and Denny Sanders.

Kick-Off Event for the Cleveland AFTRA 2006–2007 Conservatory Season – September 18 Come spend an evening with Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Cleveland Film Commission.

Click here for details>>

Dallas/Ft. Worth
Third Thursdays Mixer at Hector’s on Henderson – September 21

Click here for details>>

Los Angeles
Developing Solo Performances – September 21 & 28
The AFTRALA Women’s Committee, under the leadership of chairs Lori Alan and Patrika Darbo, is pleased to sponsor a two-part seminar, September 21 and September 28, focusing on how to develop a one-person show. On the panel will be four of the most prominent experts in this craft: Wendy Kamenoff, Irene Pinn, Beverly Sanders, and Mark Travis. AFTRA members in good standing may reserve their seat by calling (323) 634-8146. Reservations will be accepted until room capacity is reached.

Texas Regional
Texas Motion Picture Alliance
AFTRA members who live in Texas should click here to visit the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TxMPA) homepage and register for membership. Links to the TxMPA site are also available at the Texas Regional, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Houston Local pages at AFTRA.com. Important note: even if you signed up initially, you will need to re-register since the organization is official now.

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!

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.

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. Visit the Union Plus website to see all the discounts available to you.