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puts AFTRA's "Vote Yes" flyer through the World Famous Watchdog DeBUNKolator!

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Date: Tuesday 6/17/2008

Here is the "Vote Yes" Email that AFTRA is sending out with your dues money. An email that the Ol' Dog will be running through ... --- Apparently AFTRA is having a hard time finding actors to endorse their "Rollback Express," Exhibit A Contract. The reason, I say they're having a hard time, is that, with a few exceptions, most of those on the email flyer either negotiated the AFTRA agreement or are AFTRA board members who voted for it. They ballyhoo the ten percent increase in minimums 3.5,3.0, 3.5 over the life of the contract. Increases that will not even keep up with the increase in inflation. (At the time of this post, inflation is at 4.08 percent) That 3.5% percent will earn for the performer about five gallons a gas per job, ah, that is of now, by next year, well….? If you wonder how any actor, negotiator or not, facing the realities of making a living in today’s climate, could think this is a good deal. You gotta remember that James Cromwell, AFTRA’s Big Gun, on the negotiating committee, said in his AFTRA ballot statement that “We have No Clout.” And it was only a few years back, as a member of the SAG Board, that he helped rollback SAG’s minimum to 2.5 percent. His mantra then was, “It’s a 2.5% World!” AFTRA President Roberta Reardon constantly talks about forward thinking negotiations, but her only gains in this agreement are in traditional media. And those modest gains are achieved by sacrificing the future of actors, for decades to come, in new media. If the AFTRA Contract becomes the template for future new media dealings, that primetime show rerun on the Internet, for the first year, will earn day players TWENTY THREE DOLLARS while series regulars will get a Whopping $105 bucks. Sweet, huh? Oh, and for consent at time of employment, currently not allowed under the joint Primetime/Theatrical Agreement, not only will those uncooperative actors most likely be blacklisted, but those cooperative actors will receive a Whopping TWENTY FIVE DOLLARS. Look, I have posted SAG's summary of critical negotiating priorities below. But, but, but… Now let’s run AFTRA’s “Vote Yes” flyer through the Ol’ Watchdog Debunkulator, and see how it comes out debunked and parodied. A.L. Miller SW Editor & Chief Remember, actors, a NO Vote in the AFTRA Exhibit “A” “Rollback” referendum, is a YES Vote for your future!

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