The Union
Difference
President’s Message
Paul
Martino, President
Why do I need AFTRA? I've got a great paying
job. Good benefits. And I’m doing what I love. I don't see any reason to pay
union dues. AFTRA can't do anything for me.”
I hear these
arguments over and over. And I am forced to cite example after example of
people who needed AFTRA or wished – after the fact – that they had AFTRA.
Most of us
have heard of Guy Junker. "Stan, Guy, love the show". For thirteen
years, Guy teamed up with Stan Savran at Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh. Together,
they covered Pittsburgh sports, had a nightly show, and did radio
gigs. They are icons.
Guy
Junker is a long time AFTRA member. He was even the station rep at B-94 once
upon a time. But there is no AFTRA contract at FOX. Organizing a cable outlet
isn't easy. Besides, Guy had it pretty good over there. His job was secure. Right?
Thankfully
for Guy, he asked his boss about the status of his personal service contract
before he put a down payment on that new house he and his family were looking
at. "It was like getting hit over the head with a bat", says Junker.
"I had no idea they were about to fire me".
Guy Junker:
out at Fox. No severance. No nothing. To Fox's credit they gave Guy 60-days
notice and vacation pay. But if they decided not to - what recourse did Guy
have? None.
Under an
AFTRA contract, he would have been entitled to up to six months severance, five
weeks notice, vacation pay and sometimes more than a year of health insurance.
Even with an AFTRA contract in place, stations still try to withhold severance
and vacation pay. But, time after time, AFTRA prevails and our members get the
compensation guaranteed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. It’s what they
– what we – deserve for our time, our talents, our work.
We've fought
to get severance for broadcasters making scale. And we fought for a severance
check for the late news anchor Patti Burns. And we won.
You may not
think you need AFTRA.
Ask Guy
Junker what he thinks.