AFTRA eyes TV talks date

Contract to expire Nov. 15, covers upped minimums, residuals

By DAVE MCNARY

The American Federation of Television & Radio Artists has set October as a target for launching negotiations on its key "network code" agreement with TV networks and producers.

The contract, which expires Nov. 15, generates about $400 million annually for AFTRA members. The union said key issues include increases in minimums, residuals, bringing Fox rates up to those of the Big Three nets, Internet coverage and foreign use.

The union has set a national plenary on July 28-29 to finalize proposals from locals for presentation to the AFTRA board.

Although AFTRA is currently jointly negotiating with the Screen Actors Guild on a film-TV contract, the only coverage for AFTRA members is in primetime drama and sitcoms on ABC, CBS and NBC.

The current net code pact covers soap operas, gameshows, sports, talk and gameshow hosts, primetime dramatic programs and sitcoms on nets other than ABC, CBS and NBC and non-primetime dramatic programs and sitcoms on any network and syndicated dramatic programs.