Tag Archives: non-union date

Non-Union Concert Alert: Shahkar Bineshpajooh

AFM members are advised that the Shahkar Bineshpajooh concert taking place at Microsoft Theater on Nov. 30, 2019 is a non-union engagement, with no protections for fair wages, health & welfare, pension, or other benefits that come with union contracts.

AFM Local 47 has been in discussions with Mr. Bineshpajooh and the venue to try and secure an appropriate AFM agreement. Unfortunately they have not agreed to sign a union contract. We recommend that AFM members not participate until such a contract is in place.

As professional musicians, we must take a stand against taking jobs at sub-standard rates far below what we deserve. We not only cheat ourselves by accepting such engagements, but we also cheat our colleagues by setting a precedent that it’s acceptable to undervalue us and our work. Any musician performing at a major venue like the Microsoft Theater deserves to earn a fair wage and benefits in line with industry standard.

If you are contacted to participate in this concert, please alert the President’s Office at 323.993.3181 or john.acosta@afm47.org. We want to make sure you are paid correctly and receive the proper benefits.

Non-Union Alert: Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra

AFM Local 47 has been in discussions with Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, a conductorless chamber orchestra based in Los Angeles, to try and bring them into an appropriate AFM contract. Unfortunately they have not agreed to sign on to a union agreement.

Their next concert takes place Nov. 18, 2017 at Walt Disney Concert Hall. If you are contacted to perform with Kaleidoscope, please be aware that at this time it is a non-union date with no union contract protections. We recommend that AFM members not participate until such a contract is in place.

Any musician performing at a major venue like Disney Hall deserves to earn a fair wage and benefits in line with industry standard. By making orchestras available for dirt cheap, employers come to expect bargain rates that undermine musicians’ ability to pay their bills.

Members contacted to perform with Kaleidoscope are encouraged to alert the President’s office at 323.993.3181.