AFTRA News Archives 2004

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Pittsburgh Local, AFL/CIO
 AFTRA Hot Links
updated  

12/28/2004
AFTRA Members Ratify Net Code
  In national voting completed yesterday, members of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) voted overwhelmingly to approve the new three-year Network Television Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (the "Network Code"). More. . .

12/15/2004
December AFTRA Flash
  As of January 1, 2005, every person covered under the H&R Health Plan must pay a premium for themselves - $300 per quarter - regardless of income level. More. . . Archive.

12/09/2004
2005 Scholarship Applications to be Accepted Soon
  AFTRA Pittsburgh will begin accepting applications for our scholarship fund awards for the 2005 - 2006 Academic Year starting January 3, 2005, according to Scholarship Committee Chair, Mark Roberts. More. . .

12/08/2004
FREE Talent Guide Offer Extended through 2005
  At its regular November meeting, the AFTRA Pittsburgh Local Board of Directors voted to continue to offer all members in good standing a FREE listing on the Talent Guide website, through 2005. More. . .

12/02/2004
AFTRA Comes Up Big at A.I.R. Awards
  This year's list of AIR Awards winners proves one thing. In Pittsburgh, the best talent is AFTRA talent. Of the 29 crystal awards given, the vast majority of them went to AFTRA Pittsburgh members, signatory stations and ad agencies. More. . .

12/02/2004
Celebrate Pittsburgh's Film and TV Industry
  Entrepreneurial Thursday's Year-End Event on December 16th Hosted by Jessica Lee & Adrienne Wehr.
Topic: Building and Growing Pittsburgh's Film and TV Industry More. . .

11/21/2004
AFTRA National Board Supports the Rights of Journalists in News Gathering
  The AFTRA National Board, in plenary session yesterday, unanimously passed two resolutions in response to the increasing legal pressure being brought to be bear on journalists for their use of traditional news gathering methods. More. . .

11/21/2004
AFTRA National Board Ratifies Net Code Agreement that Includes Significant Gains in Health & Retirement Contributions
  The AFTRA National Board, in plenary session yesterday, overwhelmingly approved (75-1) the recently negotiated Network Television Code ("Net Code"), which will now be mailed to the membership for ratification. If ratified, the new three-year network pact will expire November 15, 2007. More. . .

11/15/2004
November AFTRA Flash
  A tentative agreement has been reached with the television networks and other major producers on the Network Television Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (the “Network Code”). The proposed contract includes significant increases in employer contributions to the AFTRA Health and Retirement Plans. More. . . Archive.

11/11/2004
Haer and Executive Committee Agree to Contract Extension
  At last night's Local Board meeting, the Executive Committee was authorized to negotiate and execute an two-year extension to Executive Director John Haer's Contract as long as we did not exceed our budget guidelines. More. . .

10/30/2004
AFTRA and Television Networks and Producers Reach Tentative Agreement
  The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists ("AFTRA") and the television networks and other major producers have reached a tentative agreement on a successor agreement to the 2001 Network Television Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (the "Network Code"). More. . .

10/27/2004
Federal Runaway Bill Signed into Law
  Ground breaking tax-incentive legislation intended to encourage production in the United States passed the House and Senate on October 11 and was signed into law on October 22. The American Jobs Creation Act provides a tax break to qualified television and film productions with budgets between $1-15 million. More. . .

10/26/2004
Conservatory Announces November Program
  On Friday, November 12, 2004, the AFTRA Pittsburgh Conservatory presents Jeff Bergman with "How to Build Your Voice-over Career".  Space is limited, First Come, First Served. AFTRA Members $35, Non-Members $50.
More. . .

10/24/2004
Live News—A Survival Guide for Journalists
  The International Federation of Journalists and its affiliated members (including AFTRA) have prepared this guide, which contains comprehensive practical information about the safe practice of journalism in dangerous circumstances. More. . .

10/06/2004
Stern Signs 5 Year Sirius Deal
   According to published reports on FMQB.com, Howard Stern has signed a five year deal with Sirius Satellite Radio beginning January 1, 2006. "It has reignited a fire in me," said Stern when making the announcement. The deal was signed two days ago and will give Stern three channels of content to program - two free channels and one premium channel. More. . .

10/06/2004
October Membership Meeting Recap
  The fall meeting of the AFTRA Pittsburgh membership was held Monday, October 4, 2004 at the USWA Building on Stanwix Street. Social hour began at 6:30. More. . .

10/06/2004
H&R Newsletter Covers Fund Changes
  The Winter 2004 issue of H&R News outlines some significant changes in the Health Plan that recently went into effect. These changes affect everyone covered by the Plan. If you didn't receive your copy, you can check the details here. More. . .

09/24/2004
Off the Record IV Bites the Hons That Feeds It
  Pittsburgh AFTRAns and Newspaper Guild members from the Post-Gazette got together at the Byham Theater last night and kicked some friendly butt. It was the fourth annual Off the Record presentation, and talk shows were the target. More. . .

09/10/2004
Judge Awards AFTRA Members Back Pay in Advertel Dispute
  A judge has ruled in favor of AFTRA in a dispute with a producer that had its beginnings at the Labor Day Parade two years ago. More. . .

09/10/2004
Union Plus Program Expands to Offer Internet Service
  Coming mid-September 2004: Union Plus Internet Service Provider (ISP). This great new benefit for union members provides a huge savings of over $100 per year compared to AOL. More. . .

09/07/2004
AFTRA Parades Down the Boulevard
  Fueled by breakfast at the Musicians' Local yesterday morning, a large contingent of AFTRA members was among the 70,000 who marched in Pittsburgh's Labor Day Parade. More. . .

09/02/2004
Equity Members Overwhelmingly Ratify a New Production Contract.
  On August 31, 2004 Equity members approved a four-year Production Contract. The agreement includes language to restore workweeks on the road and strengthen the Health Fund. The new agreement, which covers Broadway and touring productions, was overwhelmingly ratified by more than 96%. More. . .

08/27/2004
Fall AFTRA Pittsburgh NewsBriefs
   If you've been thinking that the quality of your local news isn't what it used to be - you're not alone. A new poll of media professionals shows that nearly eight out of ten say there has been a lowering of journalism standards.
More. . . Archive.

08/20/2004
October Board/Membership Meetings Rescheduled
  The October Board and Membership Meetings have been rescheduled, according to Executive Director John Haer. More. . .

08/06/2004
Lujack, Edwards, Purtan Inducted into Radio Hall of Fame
  Bob Edwards, AFTRA's National First Vice-President, Larry Lujack, Dick Purtan and Walter Winchell, Among the Luminaries Inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Website. . .

08/05/2004
Former AFTRA National President Frank Maxwell Dies at 87
  Frank Maxwell, veteran motion picture, television and stage actor for more than 60 years, and longtime union activist and past President of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, former First Vice President of Actors' Equity and board member of the Screen Actors Guild, Trustee of the AFTRA Health and Retirement Fund, died yesterday at his home in Santa Monica, California at age 87. More. . .

07/20/2004
Poll of Media Professionals Cites Declining Quality of News Coverage
  On Capitol Hill today, unions representing half a million media workers joined with Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D- NY) and other members of Congress in calling for full public hearings as the Federal Communications Commission reconsiders its rules on media ownership. More. . .Full results of poll. . . Charts and Graphs. . .

07/20/2004
Governor Rendell signs HB 147, Film Production Tax Credit
  In a ceremony at the Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia today, Governor Ed Rendell signed into law HB 147, The Film Production Tax Credit, that offers incentives for movie and television programs filmed in Pennsylvania using Pennsylvania actors and crew. More. . .

07/10/2004
AFTRA Board Approves Sweeping Overhaul of Union's Structure
  Acting on recommendations by a select committee of National Officers, key committee chairs and National and Local staffs, the AFTRA National Board, meeting in full plenary session at the Sheraton New York Hotel today, initiated a sweeping restructuring of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. More. . .

07/10/2004
AFTRA Honors Legendary Broadcasters Bob Edwards, Willard Scott
  Veteran broadcasters Bob Edwards and Willard Scott were awarded the second annual AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards (AMEEs) by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists during its National Plenary at the Sheraton New York Hotel, July 9-11, 2004. More. . .

06/30/2004
B-94 Morning Show Ends; Howard Stern Back in Pittsburgh
  The longtime WBZZ morning team is no more, a casualty in the Howard Stern Clear Channel wars. More. . .

06/17/2004
Health Plan Meetings Well Attended
  AFTRA H&R Trustee and former AFTRA President Shelby Scott and Assistant National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth were in Pittsburgh on Thursday, June 17, and met with members to discuss changes in the AFTRA H & R Fund. More. . .

06/14/2004
Annual AFTRA Awards andScholarships Presented at Gala Event
  Singer/songwriter and AFTRA member Carol Lee Espy entertained as the Pittsburgh Local of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists revived the annual AFTRA Awards at a great evening Monday, June 14th at Dowe's on 9th , Downtown. More. . .

06/14/2004
Health Plan Network Changes Effective July 1
  Effective July 1, 2004, the AFTRA Health Fund will replace the current network of preferred providers with new networks. In Pittsburgh, Beech Street will be replaced by Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS). More. . .

6/10/2004
AFTRA FREE Talent Guide Offer Still Available
  AFTRA is offering all members in good standing a FREE listing on the Talent Guide website, www.thetalentguide.com, including bio highlights, picture and audio demo. More. . .

06/10/2004
Board Election Results
  The results of AFTRA Pittsburgh's Board election are in. Four incumbents retained their seats and four new faces will begin their terms when the results are certified at the Board meeting on Monday, June 14. The Pittsburgh local also has elected a new representative to the AFTRA National Board of Directors, and a new Alternate. More. . .

04/19/2004
Coalition Accuses FCC of Chilling Free Speech
  A broad coalition of broadcasters, artists, public interest and professional organizations asked the FCC today to reconsider its recent Golden Globe Awards decision, which vastly expanded the kinds of speech banned by the FCC. More. . .

04/08/2004
Jim Krenn to Guest at April 19 Membership Meeting
  WDVE Radio Personality Jim Krenn has signed on to be our special guest speaker at the next AFTRA General Membership meeting, Monday, April 19, 2004 at 6:30 PM at the Steelworkers Building, Boulevard of the Allies and Stanwix Street. More. . .

04/08/2004
Report of the Nominating Committee
  In accordance with the Local’s Constitution and Bylaws, the Committee makes the following report of Candidates for Freelance Members of the Board for a two-year term of office commencing July 1, 2004. More. . .

03/24/2004
Barron Named Office Manager
  Nancy R. Barron has been offered and accepted the Office Manager position at Pittsburgh AFTRA. Nancy signed an employment agreement today and will begin work Thursday, April 1. More. . .

03/18/2004
SAG and AFTRA Members Overwhelmingly Say 'Yes' to One-Year Contract Extension
  Members of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) have overwhelmingly ratified a one-year extension of the current Television/Motion Picture and AFTRA Exhibit A agreements, it was announced today by both unions. More. . .

03/11/2004
President Martino Names Nominating Committee
  At last evening's Board of Directors meeting, AFTRA Pittsburgh President Paul Martino named six members to the Local's Nominating Committee. More. . .

03/11/2004
Scholarship, Negotiating Committees Ready for a Busy Year
  AFTRA's March Board of Director's meeting finalized rosters for two other important committees, Negotiating and Scholarship. More. . .

3/3/2004
AFTRA March 1 Conservatory Session Another Hit
  Monday evening, AFTRA Pittsburgh held the second of a two-part series of Conservatory presentations to help members prepare for their free Talent Guide Website listing. More. . .

2/27/2004
Joint SAG-AFTRA National Board Endorses One-Year Extension Agreement
Ballots Mailed 2/26, Due Back 3/18
  On February 20, the SAG/AFTRA National Board of Directors voted overwhelmingly, 79% to 21% to recommend a one-year Extension Agreement of the 2001-2004 SAG Basic and Television Agreements and AFTRA's Exhibet A to the Network Code which would be expanded to cover all prime time dramatic television (including sitcoms). More. . .

2/27/2004
Screen Actors Endorse AFTRA Pittsburgh's Legislative Efforts
  Further support of AFTRA Pittsburgh's efforts to lure TV, commercial and film work to Pennsylvania through two pieces of legislation currently in the Senate Finance Committe came today from the 120,000 members of the Screen Actors Guild. More. . .

2/26/2004
AFTRA Speaks For Its Broadcast Members Re: Indecency Issue
  The responsibility for complying with FCC regulations rests with the employers. Our members aren't responsible for programming the stations and they don't hold a station's license to broadcast on the public airwaves. More. . .

2/10/2004
February 9th Conservatory Demystifies Demo Process
  Last evening, AFTRA Pittsburgh held the first of a two-part series of Conservatory presentations to help members prepare for their free Talent Guide Website listing. More. . .

1/29/2004
AFL/CIO Report Blasts Clear Channel
  New AFL-CIO Study Calls San Antonio Company the “Poster Child” for What’s Wrong with Media Deregulation. More. . .
  

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