With her tumultuous two-year first term out of the way, and unanimously re-elected to a second go-around last month (she was unopposed), AFTRA national president Roberta Reardon looks to embark on a more strategic agenda. Indeed, having successfully negotiated a bunch of contracts last year -- broadcast TV, sound recording and commercials, among them – she now can concentrate on legacy-building initiatives.
There’s the always possible merger with rival … er, sister guild SAG, which has rejected AFTRA’s marriage proposals twice before. There’s also the vexing issue of new media, which is hard for guild negotiators everywhere. Reardon wants to make that a major priority in term 2 and make AFTRA the first talent guild to really get a handle on the digital issue.
TheWrap recently caught up with the New York-based actor, whose organization represents 70,000 actors, recording artists and broadcasters and who was just elected to a seat on the AFL-CIO Executive Council.
So you’re talking merger with SAG again. Don’t you guys, like, hate other?
I think there’s always room for improvement in that relationship. Things have been a little difficult, but I’m an optimistic person. I see real opportunities for us to work together. Take the commercial contract negotiations. I would like to replicate that experience as soon as possible. Both unions set aside their differences and worked collegially. They ended up coming out with a strong contract. That is the model of how we should work together going forward.
I think there’s always room for improvement in that relationship. Things have been a little difficult, but I’m an optimistic person. I see real opportunities for us to work together. Take the commercial contract negotiations. I would like to replicate that experience as soon as possible. Both unions set aside their differences and worked collegially. They ended up coming out with a strong contract. That is the model of how we should work together going forward.
How likely do you think a merger is this time around?
I was involved both times it was attempted, and on both occasions, it required enormous resources and time -- and the aftermath each time was tough. It was difficult to come so close and not obtain it.
I was involved both times it was attempted, and on both occasions, it required enormous resources and time -- and the aftermath each time was tough. It was difficult to come so close and not obtain it.
More and more members of both unions understand the principles that would make the merger a good idea. It has to be a thoughtful process -- it can’t be rushed, and it can’t be done before the next round of negotiations.
And SAG has some work to do internally. They have serious problems. That’s all I can say about that.
Both previous efforts broke down because SAG didn’t want non-actors in their guild. Do you think they’ll change their minds? Will you change your membership?
It’s all of us or none of us. I’m not interested in carving up AFTRA’s membership for other people’s desires. The days of boutique unionism are long gone.
It’s all of us or none of us. I’m not interested in carving up AFTRA’s membership for other people’s desires. The days of boutique unionism are long gone.
It seems like figuring out how to negotiate terms on new media might consume a fair amount of your day. Are you making any progress in terms of figuring out terms for technologies and platforms that may not yet exist?
All the major contracts negotiated in the last two years have language about new media. We have to be very aware that just because we’ve negotiated certain terms and conditions, that doesn’t mean that’s where the industry’s going. You don’t want to end up structuring a contract around the next eight-track tape.
All the major contracts negotiated in the last two years have language about new media. We have to be very aware that just because we’ve negotiated certain terms and conditions, that doesn’t mean that’s where the industry’s going. You don’t want to end up structuring a contract around the next eight-track tape.
