The American Federation of Musicians will bring live music to Times Square on Wednesday, March 11, as the union stages a solidarity rally coinciding with the second round of negotiations for the Sound Recording Labor Agreement with Sony, Universal, Hollywood Records, and Warner. At the heart of the negotiations are two central demands: fair wages and protections against the use {…}
On Feb. 3, 2025, Tino Gagliardi, President of AFM International released a letter regarding the wildfires in Southern California and the aftermath for musicians. “My thoughts are with those whose lives have been upended by the recent wildfires in Southern California. Hundreds of our own AFM Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) members reside in the affected communities, and each day, {…}
The American Federation of Musicians and its New York City local (Local 802) announces its support for the crew of the Atlantic Theatre Company, who are on strike for a fair contract. Striking crew workers, represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), have filed unfair labor charges against the employer for refusing to negotiate in good faith. {…}
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) musicians and management announced a new five-year labor agreement to take effect on Sept. 9. The new agreement provides competitive salary increases which fall in the top 10 percent of American orchestras, flexible scheduling, industry-leading audition, and tenure practices, reinforcing the CSO’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The contract provides for a base salary {…}
On July 17, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and Employers Pension Plan, which represents nearly 50,000 union members in the entertainment industry from Broadway to musicians in orchestras, bands, film, and theaters across the country, will receive $1.5 billion pension-fix from the American Rescue Plan. By fighting for the Butch Lewis {…}
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada’s international executive board has appointed Allistair Elliott to the position of Vice President from Canada. Elliott is to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor, Alan Willaert, who passed away unexpectedly in April. Elliott will oversee all activities within Canada and its Territories. For the last 10 years, Elliott {…}
Alan Willaert, the American Federation of Musicians’ Vice President from Canada and Director of Canadian Affairs passed away on April 18. Willaert began his music career began at 15, and was a touring musician through the late 1990s. Throughout his career he passionate and a tenacious advocate for Canadian musicians—whether at contract negotiations or speaking about the impact of legislation {…}
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada has announced that it has ratified the Basic Theatrical Motion Picture and Basic Television Motion Picture Agreements contract. Per an official announcement, the new agreement presents a number of major benefits for AFM members. First up, musicians will receive residuals for content made for streaming. They will also get {…}
The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) welcomes John K. Painting as the Director of the Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) and Assistant to the President. International President Ray Hair appointed Painting to this position following the unexpected passing of former EMSD Director Pat Varriale in May 2022. Painting has worked with AFM since 2019. {…}
The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) and International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) have endorsed Joe Biden for President of the United States. Both AFM and IATSE represent musicians and stage employees of major opera companies and orchestras around the United States. In a report made by Deadline, AFM reached its decision to support the Democratic candidate via a {…}