The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) is set to begin negotiations with the four major television broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) and other producers on Monday (11/7). The talks are aimed at securing a successor agreement to the AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting – in other words, the union contract for non-primetime network TV production.
Negotiations will be held at the offices of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), the trade group for the producers.
Although the current contract is set to expire November 15th, the parties say it will be extended on a day-to-day basis for the duration of negotiations. Those talks are currently scheduled to go on through December 18th.
AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon will chair the 25-member negotiating committee comprised of working members from Locals around the nation. AFTRA National Executive Director Kim Roberts Hedgpeth will serve as Chief Negotiator for the Union. Joan Halpern Weise, AFTRA Assistant National Executive Director of Entertainment Programming and Stephen Burrow, AFTRA New York Local Executive Director, will serve as co-negotiators.
AMPTP President Carol Lombardini is heading the negotiating team for the producers.
The parties say a news blackout will be in effect for the duration of the negotiations.
The Network Code is AFTRA’s largest national collective bargaining agreement and generates more than $250 million a year in member earnings. The Network Code covers programming in all television day parts, except for scripted primetime programs on the networks and the CW.
