When AFTRA (The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) first formed decades ago, understandably, the union's jurisdiction was quite limited with regard to its reach in the industry.
Initially, the Screen Actors Guild maintained control over productions shot on "film", while AFTRA (a sister union) kept an eagle eye on contract violations in the area of video programs such as soaps, TV sitcoms, and broadcast news (television and radio artists).
In recent years, relationships became strained with producers at the major studios and networks with the advent of rich media productions (which extended to the Internet) which were "wide open" and an area rife with non-union workers.
When the union reps first attempted to negotiate contracts in these uncharted waters, it was a tough row to hoe.
The ensuing conflicts between union reps, actors, and producers - just about toppled both unions - in fact.
This week, AFTRA is celebrating a major victory in their ongoing talks.
A pact was made over "game streaming" on the world-wide-web which is significant.
For example, actors (and performers in all areas of entertainment such as dancers, singers, etc.) will now be paid a one-time fee when "games" are streamed on the Internet.
AFTRA's negotiators accepted the "cloud-gaming" fee provision in exchange for giving up claims to other types of residual payments for video games (previously negotiated in a prior 3-year contract).
The landmark agreement is sure to pave the way for the Screen Actors Guild which has yet to finalize agreements in their realm of jurisdiction.
Stay posted!
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