AFTRA

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) was a labor union in the United States that represented performers and other professionals working in radio, television, and related media. Its members included actors, announcers, broadcasters, journalists, voiceover artists, and others who performed, recorded, or presented content for broadcast or digital media. The federation worked to negotiate labor contracts, protect performers’ rights, and provide benefits to members.

AFTRA began in 1937 as the American Federation of Radio Artists (AFRA), affiliated with the AFL. In the 1950s the organization expanded to include television and adopted the name AFTRA. The union operated within the broader labor movement and coordinated with other entertainment unions to address industry-wide issues such as contracts, royalties, residuals, and working conditions.

AFTRA’s activities included negotiating collective bargaining agreements with broadcasters and producers, administering health and retirement benefits through its funds, enforcing contracts, and offering professional resources and training. It also advocated for artists’ rights in residuals and royalties, broadcast standards, contract protections, and industry safety.

Governance was conducted through a national board and local councils, with members electing officers and delegates to represent their regions. The union funded its programs through dues and contract-based revenues, and it maintained separate pension and health plans that supported members during and after careers.

In 2012 AFTRA merged with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) to form SAG-AFTRA, creating a single union representing performers in film, television, radio, voiceover, and digital media. The new organization continued to negotiate contracts, administer benefits, and advocate for members across a broad range of media.