Television Negotiations

Although the intense round of TV negotiations in 2008, starting with the “Front of the Book” of the Network TV Code (which covers all programming other than network and CW primetime dramatic programs), followed by separate bargaining for Exhibit A of the Network TV Code (which covers primetime dramatic programming on the four major networks and the CW), generated a great deal of press coverage on issues relating to “new media,” in reality the 2008 TV negotiations involved key priorities of working members to raise wages and improve working conditions in traditional media.

Among other achievements, the Front of the Book negotiations resulted in a compounded increase over three years of 9.8% in most rates, and the Exhibit A negotiations resulted in base scale increases of 10.3% over three years, with “major role minimum” boosted by 13% over three years—these were, and continue to be, important gains for working performers in all categories in an era of salary compression.

In new media, which we now call digital media, AFTRA’s bargaining committees negotiated the same framework achieved in the DGA and WGA negotiations, but also resolved the questions of “clip consent” and “covered performers” in made for digital media projects, which had not been addressed in the preceding negotiations.

AFTRA Network Code “Front of the Book” Expiration: Nov. 15, 2011.
AFTRA Network Code “Exhibit A” (Primetime Television) Expiration: June 30, 2011 

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