How to Join the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, commonly known as AFTRA, is a professional performers union for those working in television and radio. Broadcasters, voice-over artists, radio personalities and actors can all belong to the union. While SAG (Screen Actors Guild) remains the largest union representing on-camera performers, AFTRA does have jurisdiction over daytime soap operas and a small number of prime-time shows. If you are a professional performer or broadcaster, you can actually join AFTRA quite easily.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Research AFTRA's member benefits to confirm you want to join the union. Initiation fees are quite expensive so you should be certain that you are ready to join this professional union.

2. Find your local AFTRA office. AFTRA offices are located all over the United States, in major markets such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago and smaller markets such as Phoenix, Houston and Miami.

3. Contact your local AFTRA office for specifics on their joining process. You can either visit the office in person or join via a mailed application.

4. Complete the AFTRA application. Unlike SAG, AFTRA does not have any requirements to join. You do not have to have specific work experience in order to join. You should join AFTRA if you have worked an AFTRA job in the past and need to join in order to work another such job, or if you intend to work AFTRA jobs in the future.

5. Pay your initiation fee. You will have to pay a substantial initiation fee to join AFTRA. The initiation fee is a one-time fee. They do accept credit cards as methods of payment.

6. Pay your dues for the current dues time period. In addition to the initiation fee, you will also have to pay your current dues. Dues are paid twice a year and cover a six-month period. You will then have to keep paying dues twice a year as long as your membership is active.

Tips & Warnings

• You will have to pay base dues every six month to the union. If you make more than a couple thousand dollars per dues period working AFTRA jobs, you will have to pay additional union dues. Ask your local AFTRA office to see a table detailing how dues are calculated.
• Once you have completed the application process and paid your fees, you should receive your AFTRA membership card within a few weeks.
• Take advantage of member benefits once you have joined the union. AFTRA's website lists various member benefits.

Resources

• AFTRA

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