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AFTRA reaches deal with Teamsters

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The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has averted a walkout -- by some of its employees.

Nearly a dozen business representatives who work for the actors union had been in a contract standoff with their employer over pay rates, which was becoming a potentially embarrassing distraction as AFTRA and its sister union the Screen Actors Guild entered their own contract negotiations with the major studios this week.

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But on Wednesday night, Teamsters Local 399, which represents the business reps who service about 37,000 in the Los Angeles local, reached an agreement with AFTRA and accepted a new contract. The new agreement, retroactive to Sept. 5, gives them 2.5% increase in pay in the first year and 3% annual increases in the second and third years of the contract.

Teamsters had been seeking a 4% pay raise for the business reps, arguing that they had taken on more work because a growing number of new prime-time television shows that have swung to AFTRA in recent years.

Nonetheless, the pay hikes are slightly higher than 2% raises their counterparts at SAG recently received. Other improvements include a monthly $120 car allowance for employees who drive more than 100 miles a month, and a meal allowance.

-- Richard Verrier

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