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Questions and Answers
Rule One
First Refusal
Important Rules
Benefits
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
4000 Aurora Ave. N. #102 Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: (206) 282-2506
FAX: (206) 282-7073 E-mail info@seattleaftra.com
John Sandifer, Executive Director
| BASIC
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
WHAT IS AFTRA?
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
is a nationwide organization of nearly 70,000 members. It
is chartered by the Associated Actors and Artists of America
(commonly called the 4A's) and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
WHO SHOULD JOIN?
Every performer who speaks, sings, or acts before the microphone
or television camera as well as those engaged to make transcriptions,
video tape commercials, phonograph recordings, video cassettes,
slide films, infomericals, CD Roms, and interactive media.
WHAT CAN AFTRA DO FOR ME?
AFTRA can negotiate a legally binding contract, protecting
and securing the rights of performers through collective bargaining.
If you are employed on a staff basis, the AFTRA contract guarantees
you such benefits as vacations, holiday pay, sick leave, and
termination pay, as well as freedom from onerous hours, split
shifts, unfair scheduling and unjustified discharge. AFTRA
promotes improved Labor-Management relations and good will.
You, as an individual member, attain the dignity warranted
your profession as a result of AFTRA's enviable position in
the broadcasting field. It's a history of good relations with
management, of battles fought fairly and openly, and of agreements
lived up to. AFTRA always keeps its word. You are backed by
an accepted national organization.
WHY IS THERE IS AN INITIATION FEE?
An initiation fee ($850 for working in Washington & Oregon
only, $1300 for working anywhere in the country) is the only
method, tested through the years, which enables the newcomer
to AFTRA to share in past achievements of the older members
in securing improved working conditions and wages. It could
be considered payment in lieu of time and battle which earlier
AFTRA members contributed to secure benefits that new members
receive at once. The initiation fee entitles an active member
to rights and benefits which accrue to AFTRA members anywhere
in the nation. The initiation fee also provides you with certain
rights when you transfer to other locals of the national organization.
The initiation fee is due upon completion of the application
for membership, unless a payment plan is approved.
WHAT ARE THE DUES?
Dues are established by the membership and approved by the
national organization. Dues are assessed on the basis of your
earnings in AFTRA's jurisdiction. The Seattle Local requires
dues to be paid semi-annually, in advance. Dues periods begin
May 1st and November 1st and are automatically increased 1.25%
per month if not paid by those dates.
WHEN TO JOIN
All people working within the jurisdiction of AFTRA are
required to make application or tender an amount equal to
the initiation fee and uniformly prescribed dues to the Local
AFTRA office within one month after beginning work in the
broadcasting industry or otherwise within the jurisdiction
of AFTRA.
Effective April 1, 1986
An AFTRA member may not render services as a freelance performer
for any employer within the jurisdiction of the Seattle Local
in any of the fields of interest to AFTRA who is not signed
to the appropriate Code or Contract nor for any employer who
has been declared unfair by AFTRA.
The fields of interest to AFTRA shall include, for purposes
of this Rule, all fields covered by existing AFTRA Codes or
Contracts as well as all related fields involving the production,
sale or distribution in any manner of recorded material for
use in broadcasting (including network, cable or satellite),
phonographic (audio) recordings, non-broadcast recordings,
interactive media and infomercials.
Any member who performs in any capacity within the jurisdiction
of the Seattle Local in any of the fields of interest to AFTRA
for an employer who is not signatory to the appropriate Code
or Contract or who has been declared unfair shall be subject
to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the
Constitution and By-Laws of the Seattle Local.
Disciplinary action which may be imposed after notice and
hearing pursuant to the Constitution and By-Laws shall include,
but not be limited to reprimand, fine, censure, suspension
or termination of AFTRA membership.
A "First Refusal" requested of a performer:
a) is a professional courtesy working relationship
between the parties:
b) is a confirmation that the requester of the "First
Refusal" is interested in the performer for a future
engagement:
c) does not preclude the performer's acceptance of other
employment:
d) does not require the performer to advise the requesters
of the "First Refusal" prior to accepting other
employment:
e) is not legally binding on either party.
In view of the above:
1. A "First Refusal" is not an engagement
of the performer or an employment agreement, and the performer
is entitled to no compensation by reason of having accepted
a "First Refusal". 2. A performer who has accepted
a "First Refusal" is free to accept other employment
with or without notification to the requester of the "First
Refusal".
3. In recognition of the "professional courtesy working
relationship" referred to above, requesters of "First
Refusal" are expected to notify performers who have
accepted another engagement on any date(s) involved, but
failure to do so does not violate any obligation under the
Contract and there shall be no reprisal against a performer
who fails or omits to do so.
The union has adopted the following rules for your protection
as a professional performer under the AFTRA umbrella.
FIRST...SOME DO'S
-You must live up to the terms and intent of AFTRA codes
and contracts.
-You must bring to the attention of your shop steward or
the Executive Director any infraction of AFTRA codes, agreement
or rules.
AND THEN...SOME DON'TS
-You should not accept work from a Non-Signatory employer.
-You may not accept a check for anything less than scale.
-You may not accept a partial payment.
-You may not agree to deferred payments for performances.
-You may not give free services in some other capacity to
secure employment as an AFTRA member.
-You may not accept goods, services, interest in property,
or anything else in lieu of money for your services as an
AFTRA member.
FOR EXTRA WORK, EXTRA PAY
If you work for your employer in some other capacity, such
as secretarial, clerical, or other work, be certain that you
receive the AFTRA fee in addition to your regular salary for
the other work.
MEMBER REPORT/TALENT CONTRACTS
When you're hired for radio or television commercials or
programs or for phonograph recordings, slide films, infomercials
or interactive media, you must file a MEMBER REPORT within
48 hours of your performance. The AFTRA office provides the
forms free of charge. You face a $5 fine if you don't file
a report. The rule was adopted to protect your work and to
ensure that proper health and retirement contributions are
made on your behalf.
SIGNATORIES
The union adopts certain guidelines, codes and contracts
to further the goal of better wages and working conditions
for all of its members. The AFTRA office publishes a list
of employers who have signed our codes and contracts. Ask
for a copy before you agree to perform. AFTRA members should
work only for employers who are signatory to the Codes and
Contracts.
COMMISSIONS TO AGENTS
Your agent must be franchised by AFTRA. Your agent cannot
receive more than 10% commission, and in no event can you
receive less than scale. Your agent receives the commission
as an agent's fee over and above scale, and the end payment
to you must be no less than scale, subject to all legal deductions
such as state and federal income tax withholding, social security,
state disability insurance, etc.
STATION EMPLOYEES
Members employed at stations should bring any questions
to their shop stewards. Any questions the shop stewards can't
answer should be brought to the Local by the shop stewards
or members.
CHECK-OFF SYSTEMS
"Check-off" is a term used by the radio and television stations
for withholding your dues and initiation fee from your salary
checks monthly so as to not accumulate any arrearages and
keep all accounts current. Members employed at radio or television
stations should check their contract or call the AFTRA office
to secure information about this system and whether or not
it is available.
FREE-LANCERS
They are members of AFTRA that are not employed by the same
employer on a continuing basis. Any questions these members
have should be brought to their Local.
HONORABLE WITHDRAWAL
A member who is paid up and has been active for at least
two successive dues periods may request Honorable Withdrawal
from the Union in writing before the date that dues are due.
SUSPENDED-PAYMENT OWING
A member who does not qualify for HW or is delinquent in
dues may request Suspended Payment Owing in writing. No further
dues will accumulate and member may make payments on the past
due balance owing. All residual checks will be applied to
the past-due balance. This member is considered an inactive
member and must pay all amounts due prior to working under
AFTRA.
SUSPENDED
A member in arrears for three dues periods who does not
request Suspended Payment Owing status in writing from the
Local is subject to Suspension. This member may be
reinstated upon application and payment of a reinstatement
fee which is equal to the greater of (a) all delinquent balances
plus current dues, or (b) amount of the then-current initiation
fee.
CHANGE OF NAME
Please notify AFTRA Seattle Local in writing of any change
of name due to marriage, divorce, adding of a "professional"
name, etc. These changes should all be relayed to the Seattle
Local of AFTRA so all records are complete and can be credited
and mailed properly.
PROFESSIONAL NAMES
When a person applies for membership the local and national
records will be reviewed to determine if the professional
name of the applicant (whether real or assumed) is in conflict
with a name used by another member. In the event there is
such a conflict, the applicant and the member shall be advised
of such conflict and AFTRA shall use every moral persuasion
to convince the applicant to make a meaningful change to his
or her professional name.
CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Please notify AFTRA Seattle Local of any change of address
or telephone number. This is for your own protection so you
can be kept informed of AFTRA activities and especially for
transmittal of payments collected for you by AFTRA. Remember:
third class mail is not forwarded.
TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP
If you leave the market for employment elsewhere, give written
notification to the AFTRA office in the new market so they
can request your transfer from us.
TERMINATION
Please notify AFTRA Seattle Local in writing of any change
of employment status, such as termination from a station,
beginning work with a station, etc. This is for your own protection
so your records can be complete and in proper order.
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