Plight of CBS-3 Philadelphia/KYW-TV AFTRA Employees to be Highlighted

Plight of CBS-3 Philadelphia/KYW-TV AFTRA Employees to be Highlighted

Record Numbers Expected at AFTRA Meeting

PHILADELPHIA, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Over 150 broadcasters, actors and singers are expected to attend AFTRA Philadelphia Local's annual meeting 7 P.M. Monday, May 9 at the Prince Music Theater in Center City.

AFTRA members will be signing up to assist both off-air and on-camera employees at CBS-3 who have been working without a contract for a year and a half. AFTRA writers and producers will describe their frustration at below- market wages. Anchors and reporters say management insists on reducing their compensatory time off.

The KYW AFTRANs will take a strike authorization vote Wednesday, May 11. Members say that management complains that it cannot hire or retain writers and producers, yet refuses to address the pay disparity or to restructure the compensation package to be competitive with other TV stations in Philadelphia.

An overwhelming "Yes" vote is expected Wednesday to authorize unit leaders to call a strike. Negotiations resume on Thursday. AFTRA says it will do everything possible to avoid a strike.

The AFTRA meeting will also feature AFTRA National President John Connolly who will address General Electric's disparate treatment of Spanish-language and English speaking employees at its Telemundo and NBC operations. Labor movement guests include Bill Kane, President, New Jersey Industrial Union Council; and Mike Barnes, International Representative, IATSE, AFL-CIO [International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees].

Local singers Carla Benson and John Ingram will spotlight the "Sound of Philadelphia." Featured with the Funk Brothers on the video "Standing in the Shadows of Motown," they will sing Rhythm and Blues songs made famous in Philadelphia.

Diane Heery of Heery Casting will detail a new 13-week MTV Network teen drama called "The Block" being shot in Philadelphia with AFTRA talent in digital format, the 'film' of the future. AFTRA is also celebrating a contract victory at General Electric's NBC-10/WCAU-TV which limits management demands that reporters, writers and producers carry cameras and shoot video.

KYW Newsradio newsman Bill Shusta will receive the Bill Evans Award for service to AFTRA. Philly AFTRA Hall of Fame winners Larry Kane and Bill Campbell will present this year's award to broadcasting legend Tom Moran.

AFTRA -- the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO -- represents 80,000 performers, broadcasters, recording artists and background singers nationally and a thousand locally. It negotiates contracts with producers and provides health insurance and pension benefits for eligible members.

Local

Source: American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Philadelphia

CONTACT: John Kailin, Local Executive Director of AFTRA Philadelphia, +1-215-732-0507, or Fax +1-215-732-0086, jkailin@aftra.com

Web site: http://www.aftra.com/

------- Profile: Ent