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A publication of the Philadelphia Local of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.
January 2009
The AFTRA Holiday Party-Open House By Chuck Varesko
Twas a week before Christmas and the office was setMichele, Lynn and Shelley had all made a bet.
The members will love this like a new second home.With a new couch from Ikea why would they roam?
The decorations were hung on the cubicles with careand the office staff knew that DJ Chuck would be there.He arrived with a cart filled with speakers and amps,a Mac full of music and some cool lightshow lamps.
He’d selected the tunes and he’d made a playlist,with some chestnuts for Christmas and a ton of the hits.
As his sounds filled the office the party spirit arrivedalong with the members whence the event came alive.
On-air people and freelance, some singers and guests.They had food, conversation, a few made requests.Refreshments were savored, old friends said hello.The new office décor was first rate, “Way ta go!
As the party wound down, as the refreshments ran outfrom outside the window there came a great shout.In a sleigh o’er Broad street, yelled a right merry elf, “That’s quite a party! Wish I’d been there myself.”
Local SAG Pres. Tom McCarthy had a Coke and a smile.The large conference room was filled with food and happy AFTRA members.
Local E. D. Stephen Leshinski “talks down” members. He can’t help it. He’s that tall!
DJ Chuck mixing it up.
First VP Dan Hunt displays Secretary Cyndy Drue’s corkscrew, borrowed from Ms. Drue after the party started and no one had remembered a corkscrew.
Cyndy, Stephen and Sal relax near a tub of beverages. Leroy (L) and Blair (R).
Members mingling in the office.
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SESSIONSof the Philadelphia
American Federation of Television & Radio Artists215.732.0507
Cast & CrewShelley Figures—Editor
Contributing EditorsNat Wright, Stephen Leshinski
Layout—Chuck Varesko
StaffStephen LeshinskiExecutive Director
Shelley FiguresAssociate Executive Director
Lynn Koenigsberg—Freelance Contracts/Signatory Administrator
Michele Dooley—Benefits &Membership Administrator
AFTRA LocalBoard of Directors
Catherine Brown—President Dan Hunt—�st Vice PresidentDick Sheeran—�nd Vice PresidentCyndy Drue —SecretaryEd Fischer—TreasurerRob Charry, Ed Fischer, Paul Kurtz, Helen McNutt, Tom McNutt, Susan Moses, Dick Sheeran, Bill Shusta, Christy Springfield, Chuck Varesko
National Board Members:Susan Moses, Bill Shusta
For the latest info dial:
215-C-A-S-T-I-N-Gor surf to
www.aftra.comVisit the Philadelphia
AFTRA Online Talent Guide @
www.aftraphiladelphia.com
AFTRA PHILADELPHIA230 South Broad St., Suite 500Philadelphia, PA 19102-4121215.732.0507
Official Publication President’s Report
The AFTRA Philadelphia local begins a New Year moving full speed ahead on a full agenda for
the local Board and Staff. We just marked the 6 month anniversary of new Local Executive Director Stephen Leshinski. It’s hard to believe that Steve has helped us accomplish so much in such a short time, including new broadcast station contracts, organizing our newest members at Shadow/Metro and launching new member and employer outreach efforts. If you haven’t met Steve yet, I’m sure you will, very soon. This local is also fortunate to have the exemplary services of Shelly Figures, Lynn Koenigsberg and Michele Dooley assisting members, coordinating events and keeping the office afloat. By the way, if you missed the December Open House, make sure you stop by the new and improved office and take a look. It has been redesigned to be a space for AFTRAns to use and enjoy!
Keep reading your AFTRA publications and FLASH emails for the latest news and events. The Philadelphia local is calling all Shop Stewards to come together in January to share tips and information and AFTRA members and Staff are working hard to get support on beneficial legislation in the areas
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
of health care reform, pension protection, performance rights and employee free choice. I’ll be telling you more, soon, about my work on the AFTRA Finance Restructuring Committee.
I’m sure you join me in congratulating AFTRA National President Roberta Reardon for being named to the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power 100 list. Roberta is ranked number 81 on that list, but she’s “tops” with AFTRA.
Remember, YOU are the UNION!
Phila. Local President Catherine Brown
Recession. Now that’s a scary word. In these tough economic times all of us are dealing with it as best we can,
and the same is true for the AFTRA Health and Retirement plans. In an interview for the Philadelphia local’s Sessions newsletter, the co-chair of the funds Board of Trustees, Shelby Scott, indicated every pension plan worldwide probably has been hit by the economic downturn, stating “We’ve obviously lost some money in the current down market but we’re still meeting all our payments.” She went on to say that if the market continues to decline over the next five years we’ll be in trouble but right now we’ll be alright. At the end of last year the retirement fund was 97% funded. The plan’s current fiscal year ended November 30th and when an analysis of those figures is
available in late January or early February, it won’t be that high.
Concerning fund management, Scott said the plan has money managers,
investment consultants and an investment committee “ which keep our funds pretty widely diversified which is why money continues to come from dividends and employer contributions, etc. So, we’re not panicking, not happy, but not panicked.” She’s hoping for a turnaround when the new administration takes office in Washington. Also, she said increasing the
contribution caps in our various contracts is very important to the plans.
At the moment, the retirement plan covers more than 7 thousand AFTRA retirees at a monthly expenditure of a little
AFTRA H&R Report By Bill Shusta
Continued on page 6
Board of Trustees Co-chair Shelby Scott.
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Broadcast Beat — News from our shop stewards
After 33 years as a reporter news anchor and sports update anchor Jan Gorham accepted a buyout
from WIP this fall. Jan survived numerous program directors and several format changes, along with moves from 19th and Walnut to 5th and Callowhill, to our current location at 2 Bala Plaza, and was the longest standing employee at WIP. Jan’s legendary work ethic was unsurpassed at WIP and she has been sorely missed from the moment she stopped working on November 26th. She was also a staunch AFTRA supporter who could always be counted on for sound advice. Jan did not wish to have a send off, so permit me to take this opportunity on behalf of all AFTRANs at WIP to tell her how much we appreciated her.
WIP NEWSBy Rob Charry
Joe Conklin won an AIR award for a piece he did for the WIP morning show called: “Who’s on Steroids,” featuring Joe’s dead on impressions of Harry Kalas and Gary “Sarge” Matthews. Joe claims not to know how many AIR awards he has picked up over the years, but says it’s in double digits. Producer credits for his latest go to WIP’s Marc Farzetta, who in addition to helping Joe out, does on-air work on the weekends as a sports anchor and talk show host — his
real job is WIP promotions coordinator. Check out Joe’s website for a taste of all his great impressions at: JoeConklin.com. You can also order his latest DVD with WIP’s overnight host Big Daddy Graham through the website (I swear Joe didn’t put me up to this — Big Daddy didn’t either, though it would come as no surprise if I said he did).
Also, at this year’s AIR Awards, Howard Eskin received the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award.
The WIP morning show is gearing up for Wing Bowl 17, which will be at the Wachovia Center on Friday January 30th. It’s local competitors only this year.
Joe Conklin
KYW 3 NEWSBy Neil Rattigan
Layoffs and buyouts have dramatically thinned the ranks of AFTRAns at CBS 3/KYW-TV. Longtime Shop
Steward Mike Quinn has retired. So has Meteorologist Tom Lamaine. And so have Reporters Robin Mackintosh and Dick Standish. In unrelated departures, Reporter Brandy Bell has left the station for philly.com, the Internet arm of the Inquirer and Daily News. 4 p. m. Co-Anchor Angela Russell is also leaving.
Tough times in the economy, and the broadcasting industry, have prompted CBS 3 AFTRAns to approve a one-year extension of their contract. It calls for a 2% raise and monthly meetings with management to sort out problems in the news operation. The extension expires next September.
Lots of on-air changes. Chris May and Susan Barnett have been promoted to co-anchor Eyewitness News at 6 & 11 p. m.. CBS 3 also welcomes former WTXF/Fox 29 anchor Dave Huddleston, who co-anchors weekend evenings with Mary Stoker Smith and reports three nights a
week. New Reporters at CBS 3 this year are Ben Simmoneau, formerly of WGAL Lancaster and a Spring City native; Dray Clark, a Chester native who previously worked at Cleveland’s WJW and Elizabeth Hur, an Ambler native who freelanced
at WCBS New York. Also joining the station is Evan Hirsch, who produces weekend evenings. He previously produced at WBNS Columbus, Ohio.
There’s been a baby boom at Channel 3. New moms include Meteorologist Maria
LaRosa (her second), Reporter Stephanie Abrams, Special Projects Producers Stephanie Carson and Ellen Czajkowski, and Writers Rye-Jin Baek and Tracy Schmid (her second). New dads include Traffic Reporter Sean Murphy and Morning Producer Jason Rothman.
Congratulations to Morning Anchor Ukee Washington, who was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame.
Eukee Washington
AFTRA members at NBC 10 have been training for the last few months as the station put a new
APC control room online, then switched to HD and unveiled a redesigned studio. And, I can’t forget the new nbcphiladelphia.com website designed to be not just a website for NBC 10, but also a cyber destination to stay in touch with all things local to the Philadelphia area.
Kudos to veteran NBC 10 news reporter Mike Strug for his induction into the Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame. Mike has done duty at WPVI, KYW and WCAU during a distinguished 45-year television career.
AFTRA/NBC 10 members are now doing the groundwork for the 2009 contract negotiations.
NBC 10By Catherine Brown
Mike Strug (R) receiving award.
More from our shop stewards on page 4.
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AFTRA and MusicFIRST Fight for Performers’ Rights By Jerry Wells
Are you in The Guide?
Search AFTRA Talent
The AFTRA Philadelphia online tal-ent guide—The 21st century cast-ing solution. A listing in the Online Talent Guide is free to Paid up aftra members—and it’s free to producers and directors looking for talent.
To learn more visit:http://www.aftraphiladelphia.com
Here’s what’s been going on at XTU ... Steve Leshinski and I had a good meeting with XTU’s GM Natalie
Conner and PD Bob McKay a few weeks ago to discuss what we agree will quickly become standard practice in this business — video blogs. We’re trying to stay one step ahead of our sales staff by setting boundaries for what we will do as part of our job description, and what will require talent fees. A short (60 second) video blog, for instance, is something the air staff is willing to do weekly ... however, video endorsements will require a talent fee equal to our recorded radio endorsement fees. The station’s web designer is currently shooting and editing the videos, but the staff has total editorial rights concerning content and how they’re used on our website.
WXTUBy Andie Summers
Broadcast Beat...From page 3
The economic catastrophe may reach into every radio station in America before it’s over. Even the venerable KYW Newsradio is not immune. There have been two rounds
of budget cuts directly impacting Aftrans over the last year, the most recent having just been announced. Beginning in January the station will eliminate weekend sports anchor shifts. The updates will be covered by Sportsradio 610 WIP. Management is attempting to accommodate the 4 AFTRANs impacted by having them do other tasks. Our contract expired at the end of September and rather than slug it out at the bargaining table in the current environment, management proposed to extend the contract by one year. We accepted.
KYW NewsradioBy Paul Kurtz
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There’s a fight brewing. It’s a fight for something very familiar to AFTRAns; performers’ rights. On December 18th, 2007, the Performance Rights Act was introduced
in Congress to ensure that recording artists, singers and musicians are fairly compensated when their sound recordings are played on terrestrial (AM and FM) radio.
Radio stations are required by law to pay royalties through BMI and ASCAP for the recorded music they use on the air. Presently, however, these royalties are paid only to songwriters and music publishers. The performers who bring these songs to life are excluded from this compensation and the United States is the only country in the developed world where this is the case.
AFTRA, musicians’ unions and other interested parties have formed a nationwide coalition called MusicFIRST to fight for congressional passage of this act. AFTRA’s participation is being headed by Terrie Bjorklund, AFTRA’s Associate General Counsel/
Copyright & Intellectual Property out of the Washington, DC office. Time is of the essence. During the latest Congressional Session, broadcasters convinced about half of the House to sign onto a non-binding resolution opposing the Performance Rights Act.
MusicFIRST chapters around the country have been formed to lobby congress members to vote for the passage of the Performance Rights Act. Each targeted state will have various chapters:
MusicFIRST Chapter (Open to everyone.)Union Members for Just Compensation (Union members only.) Creators for Property Rights (Singers, songwriters, producers, etc)
Here’s where we need your help. Since the National Association of Broadcasters is vigorously opposing passage, we need to show our congresspeople that there is widespread support for this bill. While many key legislators are sympathetic to the cause of the musicFIRST Coalition, they want to hear from more constituents in the music community that this issue matters to them.
AFTRA and MusicFIRST are seeking to recruit members from the Philadelphia local who are Pennasylvania Constituents to volunteer for one of the state chapters. Each chapter will have a steering committee whose members will lend their names to letters to congress and attend a meeting or two with their state’s congresspeople in their districts. That’s it. All activities will be directed by MusicFIRST grassroots organizers and members will be able to review letters before they are sent.
To volunteer, please submit your name, email address, full-
Jerry Wells
Continued next page.
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AUDIOMAX 25th Anniversary Pictures
Comic Craig Shoemaker roasts Audiomax CEO Anthony Stagliano.
Audiomax CEO Anthony Stagliano.
AFTRA VO woman Molly Daly smiles for the camera after dinner.
AFTRA newsman Paul Kurtz displays his Underdog lunch box while his table mate looks on in admiration and envy.
The Audiomax employees and guests give CEO Anthony Stagliano a standing ovation.
The ballroom was set before the guests arrived.
Last issue we ran an article on the Audiomax 25th Anniversary
Party held October 10, 2008 in King of Prussia. When we went
to press photos from the party were not yet available. Well, we
promised photos from the Audiomax party and here they are.
Sessions thanks Audiomax
VP Mark Engleman and
CEO Anthony Stagliano
for sending us a CD of the
photos.
time occupation, location (city or town) in Pennsylvania, and Zipcode to me, Jerry Wells, (Subject: MusicFIRST) at my email address; [email protected] or to Executive Director, Stephen Leshinski. There will be no disclosure of your information, marketing or spamming. You will only be contacted in connection with MusicFIRST activities. Please join now and thank you for your help on this vital issue.
MusicFirst...From page 4
Applause and laughter during the Stagliano roast. VP Mark Engleman (Standing R.), VP Karen Kesler, (R).
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AFTRA H&R...From page 2
One of our own By Cyndy Drue
more than 8 million dollars. There’s more than a billion dollars in the plan and contributions continue to arrive.
As for the health plan, it’s in good shape with about a year’s reserve in place with 7 to 8 months of reserve said to be good. Scott said, “ I like a cushion. Let’s face it, I think we’re pretty conservative in that respect, which I think is good.”
According to Scott, health care costs are going crazy and she hopes President-elect Barack Obama can do something there as well. She said insuring everyone would save money. “Part of the cost of medical care is because so many people are not insured. They go to the emergency room where they must be treated, and they don’t pay anything and all those costs are passed on to the rest of us.”
Scott feels there will be changes in our plan because the costs keep rising. “Unless we can get all this stuff under control, God knows what’s going to happen. It’s just a terrible time in our economy.” The next trustee meeting is in February. There will be pharmacy changes but she couldn’t provide details saying correspondence will be forthcoming. She said the plan’s trying to focus on generic drugs because is saves money for both the plan and the participant.
Currently, there are about 17 thousand member and dependant participants in the health plan. She said senior coverage remains safe at the moment but there may be some minor changes. “ I wish I could tell you exactly what’s going to happen. I don’t know. Everything’s in flux right now.” She doesn’t believe employer contributions will increase much because they’re also in financial
trouble. And, the health plan doesn’t depend on investment as does the retirement plan. Scott said it’s almost money in, money out.
As for our health plan, Scott is realistic, “We don’t have as good a plan as we used to. We gotta pay premiums now. We had to cut some benefits. But, I don’t think you can buy it on the open market.”
The 22 member Board of Trustees oversees the operation of the Health and Retirement funds, 11 representing AFTRA and 11 from management. The union representatives serve at the pleasure of the AFTRA National Board. Their service is evaluated periodically by the Board’s Health and Retirement Issues Committee and its findings are forwarded to the National Board. Other than these actions, AFTRA the union has NOTHING to do with the day to day operation of AFTRA H&R. This is extremely important for AFTRA members to know and understand.
Also, the H&R funds are governed by federal law whose acronym is ERISA which covers plans receiving contributions from multiple employers. Scott told us, “It sets out all these requirements of what you must and must not do, very complicated and that’s why we have attorneys.” While complicated, it also can serve to protect our plans against some of the things impacting plans in the private sector.
Scott emphasized that all the trustees are concerned about the economy’s impact on our plans but are not panicking. She said, if things turn around, we’ll be fine. Scott also pointed to what she termed the terrific job being done by the new C.E.O. of the plans, Christine DuBois, who has been on the job for about 18 months. According to Scott, there has been a marked increase in staff morale, participant services has improved, by the 4th quarter of next year on-line credit card payment should be available, and work continues on a new participant friendly website.
A new column featuring our freelance members and the projects they’ve been working on.
I was excited to see one of our members in the TV show Lipstick Jungle recently. The show airs on NBC, stars Brooke Shields, and is based on a book by Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell.
Philadelphia AFTRA member Sylvia Kauders was in a feisty scene where she was wearing a hat that one of the stars of the show designed years earlier. The star, Lindsay Price, was trying to wrestle it off of her verbally. Sylvia gave an outstanding performance as a Jewish woman only interested in getting to synagogue on time.
Sylvia auditioned for the pilot of that show after being called by her New York agent. The casting people liked what she did in the pilot and cast her later in this episode called Nothing Sacred. You can watch it anytime online at NBC.com. Unfortunately, Lipstick Jungle has been cancelled, so we have lost an AFTRA show.
Throughout her career, Sylvia has always been a performer. AFTRA is her parent union, having been a member for over thirty years. She is also a member of SAG and Actor’s Equity. In addition to being in plays with the drama guild and others, Sylvia hosted a television show in 1967-77 called Under Billy Penn’s Hat that aired on WHYY. She was also an award
winning Public Relations dynamo for the City of Philadelphia. She is often asked to counsel young people. She tells them you
have to be ready for honesty. And: “You should continue to pursue this work until the time comes when you’re banging your head against the wall. You cannot teach talent — you’re born with it. You
can teach technique. As a performer, forever, you will continue training, marketing yourself. Never let anyone step on your dreams. Go for it but give yourself time. If that time passes, find your fulfillment elsewhere. To hope in your heart that one day you’ll get a principal role - if you’ve been doing this for 20 years and haven’t gotten anything, then you might not, and I can’t tell you why. Any experience is a good experience because you take that to your next. It’s never a waste to go to an audition.”
What does Sylvia do when she feels discouraged by this work?
She diverts her attention to something that gives her pleasure. She’s always giving
back to the community. She refuses to let it get her down because the phone will ring, and sooner or later she’ll book something.
If you’ve recently had work you’d like to have highlighted, contact Cyndy at: [email protected]
Sylvia Kauders
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Notes From The Director By Stephen Leshinski
War, recession, lay-offs, cutbacks, ice storms, flying shoes…only one word fits what’s happening right now and that word is Gratitude. Really!? Absolutely.
It’s easy when things are going well to be appreciative and content. The challenge happens when things don’t look so good — to be able to have some perspective and show some gratitude for the good things in our lives.
At AFTRA for �008 there is much to be grateful for. A smooth transition from the retirement of John Kailin after �8 years at AFTRA in addition to celebrating everything he contributed here in Philly and elsewhere in his AFTRA career. Negotiating four contracts at various radio and TV stations that, while didn’t they deliver all of the economics we would have liked, did provide wage increases and enhanced job security for our members in those shops. We also added two new groups to AFTRA: the producers at WMMR and the Announcer/Producers at Metro Shadow. Might there be more on the way in �009?
We’re grateful to have two new board members, Paul Kurtz and Skip Fischer, join our board this year and lend their talents to our already motivated and experienced leadership. Two new Shop Stewards, Ed Bishop at YSP and Andie Summers at XTU, joining the ranks of Catherine Brown at NBC, Neil Rattigan at CBS, Pierre Robert at WMMR, Rob Charry at WIP, Lisa Paige at Q�0�, and Cheryl Elias and Paul Kurtz at KYW radio.
We’re also grateful for freelance member Jerry Wells and the work he has already done to restart our MusicFirst campaign, and for board members Chuck Varesko and Cyndy Drue’s (plus staff member Shelley Figures) work to restart our Freelance Organizing Committee in �009. All are invited to Meet the FOCers as soon as you are able.
And while we’re not grateful to have to recover money for our members either through contractual or legal relief, it’s important to note that so far year to date we’ve “won” close to $500,000
in compensation and health care costs through negotiations, grievances, and arbitration. So while no one ever wants to have to file a grievance or go to arbitration, being AFTRA means you can if you need to.
Finally we’re grateful for the work that Lynn Koenigsberg and Michele Dooley in our office do every day, helping our members navigate their health insurance, retirement funds, and freelance payments. While many in our industry have to rely solely on agents or even themselves, the AFTRA staff are ready, willing, and able to be advocates and sometimes detectives when necessary to make sure all members get a fair shake.
These are not easy times and each of us could think of a �0� ways things could be better. But having said that, ignoring what we have that is good would be a mistake, especially when we have so much. Things will hit bottom and improve, they always do. AFTRA will continue to grow and continue to fight for its members and its constituency, in new and different ways that reflect these new and different times. And all along the way the dedication, commitment, and devotion to our cause will continue to be that which we have in common and what brings us together as AFTRA.
And that’s something for which we can all be grateful.
AFTRA members are taking action now to join the Million-Member Mobilization for the Employee Free Choice Act. America’s working people are struggling to make
ends meet these days and our middle class is disappearing. The best opportunity working people have to get ahead economically is by uniting to bargain with their employers for better wages and benefits. Recent research has shown that some 60 million U.S. workers would join a union if they could.
But the current system for forming unions and bargaining is broken. Every day, corporations deny workers the freedom to decide for themselves whether to form unions to bargain for a better life. They routinely intimidate, harass, coerce, and even fire workers who try to form unions and bargain for economic well-being. And there’s nothing stopping them.
Except you. With your help all workers can have the freedom to decide for themselves whether to form unions and bargain for a better life. Join us today!
Watch Roberta Reardon’s video message on : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_zlFy5wrOE
AFTRA Members Support the Employee Free Choice Act
Visit the AFL-CIO website for more info on the Employee Free Choice Act: http://www.aflcio.org/
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SESSIONS is also online atwww.aftraphiladelpia.com/sessionsRead Nat Wright’s History of The Philadelphia Local at www.aftraphiladelphia.com/convention/history.html
In This Issue
In This IssueHoliday Party/Open House .................................1
President’s Report ..............................................2
AFTRA H&R Report...........................................2
Broadcast Beat ...................................................3
MusicFIRST ........................................................4
Audiomax Party Photos ......................................5
One of our own ...................................................6
Notes From The Director ....................................7
Members Support Employee Free Choice .........7
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