A. F. R. A.

Oh, when I am President, When I am President,

I'll break up every radio, When I am President.

Jocular were the promises Eddie Cantor sang into his microphone six years ago. Now Comedian Cantor is president of the American Federation of Radio Artists.

Last week, two-year contracts governing wages and working conditions for actors and singers on sustaining CBS and NBC programs were signed by network officials and A. F. R. A. representatives. The contract affects 4,000 of A. F. R. A.'s 5,000 claimed members.

Its minimum pay schedules range from a low of $8 for choral group singers on a 15-minute broadcast in California to a high of $25 for soloists on a full-hour show in New York or on a national network. It also provides: a limit on rehearsal time (maximum 8 hours for a 60-minute broadcast); extra pay for rehearsal overtime; pay for auditions. The contract recognizes A. F. R. A. as exclusive bargaining agency for sustaining artists in the cities affected (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco), establishes a modified closed shop.* guarantees that origination point of network programs will not be moved to cities not covered in the contract.

A. F. R. A., like Actors' Equity Association, American Guild of Musical Artists, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Actors, Burlesque Artists Association, etc., is a branch of Associated Actors and Artistes of America. Although Comedian Cantor is A. F. R. A.'s head man, the contract was negotiated and signed by Executive Secretary Emily Holt, Associate Secretary & Treasurer George Heller. A. F. R. A. has agreements with other A. A. A. A. branches by which, for instance, Equity members may also become A. F. R. A. members by paying half A. F. R. A. initiation fee, half dues.

* Broadcasters are not required to make their selection only from performers already members of the union, but any new performers hired must join the union.

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