Dear AFTRA Franchised Agent:

On June 17, all AFTRA members in good standing were mailed a ballot and informational materials for ratification of the AFTRA primetime television contract—Exhibit A of the AFTRA Network Television Code 2008-2011. The agreement covers primetime dramas and situation comedies on the four major TV networks and the CW, Pay TV, and programs made directly for home video.

This tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers was reached on May 28 after three weeks of negotiations led by the 31 working performers—all members both of AFTRA and SAG—who served on the AFTRA Primetime Negotiating Committee. Unanimously recommended by the committee, the new agreement was overwhelmingly approved by the AFTRA National Board—and sent to members with a recommended “YES” vote.

Attached is the cover letter and contract summary that was sent to AFTRA members. It will also be available at AFTRA.com. 

The new AFTRA primetime TV contract provides performers with:

• Real money. More than 10 percent improvement for working actor compensation over the course of the contract, with gains in overtime for the 3-day performer, schedule breaks and an immediate significant increase in the major role (“top of the show”) minimum.
• Improvements in compensation and working conditions for ALL categories of performers, including background performers, guest stars, series regulars, dancers, singers, and provides coverage for warm-up performers.
• Union coverage for New Media programs. The agreement confirms AFTRA’s jurisdiction over programs made directly for New Media, and establishes a payment structure for the use of traditional programs reused in New Media, building upon the patterns of the DGA and WGA deals.
• Preserved Consent in New Media. The contract preserves the requirement that employers must obtain performers’ consent to the non-promotional use in New Media of clips of their performances, whether it is for library or new product.
• Flexibility. AFTRA has the right to access employers’ transaction data, including contract information and license agreements, for the next three years. Combined with the “sunset clause” for New Media, this allows AFTRA to participate in this growing landscape, and bargain from an informed and powerful position at the conclusion of this contract.

You and your clients are encouraged to carefully study the Summary of Proposed Agreement:

• A “YES” vote is to approve the package as recommended by the AFTRA National Board.
• A “NO” vote is to reject the recommended package and simultaneously authorize the AFTRA National Board to call a strike at a time to be determined by the Board.

Ballots must be mailed in the provided postage-paid return envelope and received at the post office box in Everett, Washington, no later than the end of business on Tuesday, July 8, 2008. If you have questions, please email primetime@aftra.com or call your AFTRA Local office.

Sincerely,

AFTRA NATIONAL AGENCY DEPARTMENT