AFTRA Sets Network Code Talks For Nov. 7

AFTRA said today that it will begin negotiations on a successor agreement to its National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting on November 7 at the AMPTP offices in Sherman Oaks. Talks with ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox over a new deal are scheduled through December 18. The current pact is set to expire November 15, but the deadline will be extended on a day-to-day basis for the duration of negotiations. The contract, which the union says generates more than $250 million annually for its members, covers dramas in first-run syndication, morning news shows, talk shows, serials (soap operas), variety, reality, contest, sports and promotional announcements. The labor talks come as AFTRA authorized a strike vote after its talks with music labels for a new sound recordings contract broke down last month.