HOLLYWOOD, CA (Oct. 24, 2012) — After years of urging by Professional Musicians, Local 47 — the labor union representing musicians in Los Angeles — producers of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” this week agreed to compensate musical guest performers under American Federation of Musicians (AFM) contracts.

Musicians performing on “Ellen” previously received wages and benefits under contracts with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and were deemed as “specialty acts” rather than musicians, a distinction disputed by Local 47. SAG-AFTRA contracts do not include the provisions for residuals and re-use payments to musicians that are covered under AFM contracts. Per labor standards, if two or more unions have overlapping jurisdiction, workers must be compensated at the higher prevailing rate. Continue reading →