Summary of Proposed Agreement—2008-2011 Exhibit A to the AFTRA Network Download and study the details of the new agreement (450 KB PDF)>>

June 17, 2008  

Vote YES on the AFTRA Primetime TV Contract for higher pay, improved working conditions, payment for New Media, and to preserve consent for the use of clips.

Dear AFTRA Member:

On behalf of the 31 working performers on the AFTRA Primetime Negotiating Committee, and the AFTRA National Board, we are pleased to enclose for your ratification proposed terms for your new AFTRA primetime television contract (Exhibit A of the AFTRA Network Television Code) for 2008-2011. Exhibit A covers primetime dramas and situation comedies on the four major TV networks and the CW, Pay TV, and programs made directly for home video.

The National Board overwhelmingly approved the agreement and recommends that you VOTE YES when you receive your ballot. Your ballot must be received no later than July 8, 2008.

Based on our experience in this year’s AFTRA Network Code talks—as well as those of the DGA and WGA in their negotiations earlier this year—we knew we would confront some very challenging issues. This tentative agreement is based on a set of comprehensive proposals developed by working performers in the W&W process from around the country, and is informed by research which reflects the rapid changes facing all of us who work in the entertainment and media industries.

Upon ratification by you, the new contract immediately puts real money in performers’ wallets and protects future earnings as the industry evolves. The members of the negotiating committee, all of whom work this contract, bargained hard to achieve important gains, including a raise in base rates of more than 10% over the course of the contract, significant increases in “major role” minimums and improved terms and conditions for performers on CW programming.

Members of the negotiating committee also worked long and hard to establish a rational framework for New Media that recognized the structure fought for by the WGA and DGA, but adjusted for the special needs of performers. Union coverage over programs produced directly for the Internet and New Media and the principle of residual payments for re-use of traditional product in New Media is confirmed in the new agreement. It preserves the bedrock principle of performer consent for non-promotional use of clips in New Media. The deal also provides unprecedented access to data on New Media transactions, plus a sunset stipulation on the New Media provisions, which will allow both sides to revisit this area with fresh and informed viewpoints when the agreement expires in 2011. New Media is still evolving, and both production and business models are in flux; therefore access to this kind of information which positions the union to revisit this entire area in three years from a solid base of knowledge is key.

The new agreement is a solid package that the working performers on the AFTRA Negotiating Committee, dual card holders all, and the AFTRA National Board support and recommend to you without reservation.  

Please study the attached Summary of Proposed Agreement carefully and return your ballot:

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 enclosed 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.

For the AFTRA NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ROBERTA REARDON National President

KIM ROBERTS HEDGPETH National Executive Director