American Federation of Television and Radio Artists members approved by 96 percent an agreement with the four major television broadcast networks and other producers on terms for a successor agreement to the AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting, the union announced Wednesday night.
The agreement gives members a 1 percent increase in employer contributions to the AFTRA Health & Retirement Funds, bringing the total H&R contribution rate to 16.5 percent. It also increases wages by 6 percent over the term of the agreement (2 percent each year) for most categories.
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The three-year agreement will run retroactively from Nov. 16, 2011, through Nov. 15, 2014, after ratification.
The Network Code generates more than $250 million a year in member earnings, according to an AFTRA statement. It covers programming in all television day parts (except for scripted primetime programs on the networks and the CW) and programming produced for digital media.
Covered programs include dramas in first-run syndication, morning news shows, talk shows, soap operas, variety, reality, sports, contest programs, award shows and promotional announcements.
The new agreement also will minimum hazard pay for dancers from $80 to $100 per day, and from $100 to $125 per program; and increase the minimum work day for stand-ins who work on primetime variety and award shows, which will increase the minimum daily rate by 20 percent to 67 percent.
In addition, the $37.50 overtime rate for singers will be paid starting at the seventh instead of the ninth hour.
It also will increase equal employment opportunities for union performers and prohibit discrimination based on a member's gender identity.
The AFTRA National Board unanimously approved the agreement on Jan. 28. Ballots were mailed to members on Jan. 30 and were returned Wednesday.