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AFM Local 47 Musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Announce New Four-Year Agreement

Los Angeles, CA — [September 12, 2025] — The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 today announced that musicians of the Los Angeles Philharmonic have reached a new four-year collective bargaining agreement.

The contract includes substantial increases in base wages, substitute pay, and New Music and Chamber Music pay, as well as improved vacation benefits.

“This negotiation began nearly 11 months ago with the search for legal representation and culminated in an unprecedented four-year agreement,” the LA Phil Orchestra Negotiating Committee shared in a letter sent to the AFM Local 47 Executive Board. “None of this would have been possible without the ongoing support of Local 47.” Continue reading →

September 2025 Overture Online: The Power of Song in the Labor Movement

Inside This Issue:

Cover Story – SOLIDARITY FOREVER: The Power of Song in the Labor Movement
AFM Local 47 2025 General Election: Nominating Petitions Due Sept. 15
Member Spotlight: Andy García
An Update on High-Budget SVOD/’Streaming’ Residuals
2024 Audit Report Now Available
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month: Latinos in Music
Action Alert: Dodgers Tour Guides Deserve Fair Wages & Benefits
EUC Thanks Legislators for Keeping California Rolling
Voices of Libertad: A Campaign for Immigrant Justice Through Art
Travel More, Spend Less: Union Member Travel Perks — Exclusive Hotel Savings
Final Note: Joe Soldo
Audition Notice: Modesto Symphony Orchestra
and more!

Continue reading →

An Update on High-Budget SVOD/’Streaming’ Residuals

With streaming residuals from the latest AMPTP agreement now taking effect, here’s what you need to know about when and how payments will be issued for qualifying High-Budget SVOD/“Streaming” programs: Continue reading →

EUC Thanks Legislators for Keeping California Rolling

On August 20, 2025, our Entertainment Union Coalition travelled to Sacramento to deliver a message of thanks to our elected officials that stood with us this year and voted to expand the funding and modernize our California Film and Television Jobs Program. Continue reading →

2024 Local 47 & Musicians’ Club Audit Report Now Available

The 2024 annual audit report for AFM Local 47 and the Musicians’ Club of Los Angeles is now available.

Members may view this document by logging in to the members-only “Documents” section at ensemble.afm47.org and navigating to: More Members-Only Documents > Audit Reports

(If you have not yet logged in to our new E2 system, please review the sign-in instructions here.)

Join us on Labor Day 2025: GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Labor Day 2025 promises to be the biggest, boldest Labor Day March in the nation. Simply put: GO BIG OR GO HOME!

Date: Monday, September 1
Meeting Point: 510 Broad Ave at East E St, Wilmington CA
Parking: available near Banning Park — free shuttles will be provided to parade start point
Parade: Begins at 10 a.m. sharp (plan arrival time accordingly)
Picnic & Entertainment: 11 a.m. at Banning Park – enjoy 40+ vendor booths of various unions and Labor organizations, a kid zone for children including face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, puppet show & book giveaway, and a lowrider car show!
Event End Time: 4 p.m.
View Labor Day 2025 Map & Logistics

This year, we are proud to welcome AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, California Labor Federation President Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero, along with our own powerful local leaders. Their presence underscores the national spotlight on Los Angeles as we lead the way toward 2028 and beyond. Labor Day will not only be a march — it will be a message: Los Angeles labor is strong, united, and ready to lead.

Final Note: Joseph William Soldo

Life Member. Alto/Tenor Saxophone
7/31/1925 – 8/15/2025

A Life Well Played: Joe Soldo, Consummate Musician and Contractor, Dies at 100

From “reed man” to in-demand music contractor to devoted family man, Joe Soldo leaves behind a century of inspiration.

A proud member of Local 47 since 1971, Joe was born in Newark, NJ, to William and Lucy Soldo. He received his first saxophone at age 11 and, right out of high school, made a name for himself as a traveling band musician before moving onto Broadway. There, he played multiple instruments in shows like “Bye Bye Birdie” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Continue reading →

AFM Local 47 Bylaws update

At our General Membership Meeting on July 28, 2025, two Resolutions to amend the Bylaws were adopted, reducing our Local’s reinstatement fee and increasing membership dues.

Members may access the updated bylaws by logging in to your online account at ensemble.afm47.org, visiting the DOCUMENTS page, selecting the “Other Members-Only Documents” ribbon, and clicking “Bylaws.” (If you have not yet logged in to our new system, please view the instructions here.)

2025 Burbank Media Industry Expo & Job Fair

AFM Local 47 proudly participated for the second time at the Burbank Media Industry Expo & Job Fair at Woodbury University on August 1.

Sponsored by the City of Burbank, this year’s 2nd-annual event event welcomed over 5,000 attendees ranging from students and newcomers to seasoned industry professionals, fostering valuable conversations and connections across the media landscape.

Pictured: AFM Local 47 EMD Business Representative Russell Winkler and Communications Director Linda Rapka.

Beware of ‘email spoofing/phishing’ scam

We have received several recent reports about an email making the rounds using our AFM Local 47 logo which pretends to be from Local 47 staff with the subject line “New project open for bidding” and containing a “Request for Project Proposals (RPP)” in the body of the message. Please be aware that these messages are a common email spoofing/phishing scam, and we encourage anyone who receives such a message NOT TO CLICK any links, NOT TO REPLY to the email, and to DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY.

Should you have any questions about this matter, or if you receive a suspicious message that mentions AFM Local 47 in the future, please email webmaster@afm47.org.