Judge Lets AFTRA Intervene In Artists' Benefits Action

In a major development in the settlement of a 9-year-old class action over pension and health benefits for recording artists, a U.S. District Court judge in Atlanta yesterday allowed the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) to intervene in the case. The defendant, the union's AFTRA Funds unit, had objected to AFTRA's participation. AFTRA opposes the proposed settlement, saying the terms are unfair to 10,000 or more unnamed artists involved in the class action.

The suit was filed in 1993 by Sam Moore and 14 other R&B artists, who charged the Funds with fiduciary irresponsibility for failing to keep accurate records and to monitor record-company contributions. Under the proposed settlement, Moore and the other original plaintiffs were to receive $150,000; unnamed artists in the class action may have received as little as $400. Moore and four others have rejected the settlement.

A separate suit by the artists against the major labels continues. It charges that the labels underpaid or neglected to report retirement and health funds over the past 40 years.

The settlement hearing continues Aug. 27.