FALL FLASH! UTL Funds, Non-Broadcast News, AFTRA Magazine and More…

Posted October 20, 2009

Fall has arrived and with it brings some important news for AFTRA members. We also pause to remember a former national president.

	UTL FUNDS PAYS OUT MILLIONS TO MEMBERS In this tough economy, who doesn’t need some extra cash? Have you checked AFTRA’s Unable To Locate account database to see if any money is available for you?

UTL FUNDS PAYS OUT MILLIONS TO MEMBERS

In this tough economy, who doesn’t need some extra cash? Have you checked AFTRA’s Unable To Locate account database to see if any money is available for you?

The AFTRA UTL Fund has paid more than $2 million to more than 3,000 members since AFTRA began actively searching for members in 2007. So far in 2009 alone, AFTRA has paid more than $400,000 in unclaimed funds to more than 900 members. A new tracking system was implemented in September 2008 to help identify and locate members which has greatly improved our ability to distribute funds to members.

How does the UTL account work? When AFTRA receives payments for members who cannot be located, the monies are held in a trust account and released when the member is located.

Do you have money in the UTL Account? Click here to find out.

NON-BROADCAST/INDUSTRIAL/EDUCATIONAL RECORDED MATERIAL EXTENSION

AFTRA and SAG have approved an 18-month extension to the AFTRA Code of Fair Practice for Non-Broadcast/Industrial/Educational Recorded Material and the SAG Industrial and Educational Contract. The contracts, which were set to expire on Oct. 31, 2009, will now be effective Nov. 1, 2009 to April 30, 2011. Click here to read more.

PERFORMANCE RIGHTS ACT PASSES MUSTER WITH SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

On Oct. 15, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Performance Rights Act (S. 379). A similar bill, H.R. 848, was approved in May by the House Judiciary Committee. Click here to read President Reardon’s statement on the passage.

AFTRA MAGAZINE FALL ISSUE

Check your mailbox for the latest issue of AFTRA Magazine. Features include:

The 2009 AFTRA National Convention. If you missed it, this is the place to find all the pertinent information about AFTRA and its mission over the next two years.
A farewell to “Guiding Light” featuring some longtime cast members sharing their memories of TV’s longest running daytime drama.
The Changing Newsroom Part Two: AFTRA Member Mark Jones gives his take on the increasing use of multi-media journalists.

Click here to read AFTRA Magazine online.

SUPPLEMENTAL DENTAL & VISION BENEFITS THROUGH GUARDIAN

Don’t miss the opportunity to sign-up for enhanced dental/vision coverage! Open enrollment for AFTRA Health qualifiers starts Nov. 1 through Dec. 31.

Act now! The opportunity to purchase these benefits was last available in 2004 and may never be offered again.

For more information and to sign up, visit www.groupba.com and click on the AFTRA link or call the Enrollment Hotline at 800.569.5319.

UNION PLUS PRESCRIPTION CARD

Administered through the AFL-CIO’s Union Privilege program, Union Plus provides AFTRA various benefits – from travel discounts to financial help. Register with Union Plus today and you will automatically be able to print a free prescription card to get more savings at a pharmacy near you!

Please take just a few minutes and click here to complete this easy online registration.

When you complete the registration, you’ll automatically be able to print a free prescription card from the Web site so you can start saving at participating pharmacies near you.

Benefits of registering:

A free prescription card for discounts at participating pharmacies
Set up favorite links on the Union Plus site
Print a handy, portable PDF guide to your benefits
Information about benefits that are relevant to you
Ability to comment on Web site content and programs

WE REMEMBER JOE SLATTERY

Former AFTRA National President Joe Slattery was known by many as the “Voice of Jewel” for announcing radio and television commercials for the Jewel Food Stores for more than 30 years. A veteran of World War II, Slattery served in the Air Force Reserves for 22 years and retired a Lieutenant Colonel.

A 49-year member of AFTRA, Slattery narrated the Emmy award-winning Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. In addition to his service on the AFTRA National Board, he also served as the Chicago Local president from 1968 to 1977 and again from 1987 to 1988. He was the AFTRA National President from 1976 to 1979, and he was the first National President that did not come from New York or Los Angeles.

Slattery was a dedicated volunteer, reading to the students at the School for the Blind in Winnetka, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Slattery, and survived by his second wife, Marilyn Florence Daus Slattery, as well as four children, three step-children, six grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

FALL FLASH! UTL Funds, Non-Broadcast News, AFTRA Magazine and More…

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