Legal Definitions - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA)

AFTRA, which stands for the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, was a prominent labor union in the United States that represented a wide range of professionals in the entertainment and media industries. Its membership included actors, announcers, narrators, and vocalists who worked in television, radio, sound recordings, and other digital media platforms.

The union's primary purpose was to advocate for its members' rights and interests. This involved negotiating collective bargaining agreements with production companies, studios, and broadcasters to establish minimum wages, ensure safe and fair working conditions, and secure benefits such as health insurance and pension plans. By setting these industry standards, AFTRA aimed to protect its members from exploitation and ensure they received fair compensation for their creative work.

• Example 1: Voice Actor for a Video Game

  Consider a professional voice actor hired to bring a character to life in a new video game. If the game development studio is a signatory to an AFTRA agreement (or its successor union's agreement), that voice actor would be guaranteed a specific minimum payment rate per session, limits on recording hours, and contributions to their health and retirement funds. This illustrates AFTRA's role in protecting "actors" and "vocalists" in emerging digital media, ensuring fair compensation and working conditions.

• Example 2: Local Television News Anchor

  Imagine a news anchor delivering the evening broadcast for a local television station. If that station had a collective bargaining agreement with AFTRA, the anchor's salary, vacation time, and job security would be governed by the terms negotiated by the union. This demonstrates AFTRA's function in representing "announcers" and other on-air talent in the "television" industry, ensuring professional standards and worker protections.

• Example 3: Narrator for an Audiobook Series

  A publishing company commissions a well-known voice artist to narrate a popular audiobook series. If the publisher operates under an AFTRA agreement, they would be obligated to pay the narrator according to the union's established rates for audiobook narration, contribute to their benefits, and adhere to specific terms regarding royalties or reuse fees for the recordings. This highlights AFTRA's role in protecting "narrators" and "vocalists" involved in audio productions, ensuring fair compensation for their specialized talent and the longevity of their careers.