'Net focus of union talks
Current contract runs out Nov. 15
"The Internet is clearly the future of news, but the networks have indicated that they are not willing to give us any jurisdiction in a contract," said Dominique Bravo, director of legal and legislative affairs for the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists. The current three-year contract runs out Nov. 15.
AFTRA leaders have noted that, without jurisdiction, it risks the emergence of a new "second tier" of broadcasters who work under inferior terms and conditions.
"What we fear is that the companies will pay the Web broadcasters far less than we get paid, lower the market rate for broadcasting jobs and then come to us to cut our salaries," the union said in a recent memo to members. "Or worse, they could simply replace us with low-paid Web talent with whom they will build relationships."
The union also will seek to hammer out contract language providing for compensation for re-use and original made-for-Internet programming; protections for re-use; and workload. "One thing is certain: The onset of Internet news will not alleviate an already heavy workload," AFTRA noted.
The Internet has begun to play a crucial role in reaching deals with entertainment industry unions. The Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA gained Internet jurisdiction in their tentative agreement with the ad industry, and the Directors Guild of America and the Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees included similar Web provisions in recent deals with the Assn. of Independent Commercial Producers.
AFTRA will also launch talks soon for several hundred reporters at network-owned stations in Gotham, L.A., San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. The pacts are negotiated on a market-by-market basis and are also due to expire Nov. 15.
