Entertainment Union Coalition Statement on Passage of SB 132
The Entertainment Union Coalition applauds today’s announcement that the increased funding to our California Film and Television Tax Incentive Program is now official. Since Governor Newsom announced his intention to prioritize our program’s expansion late last year, our members’ activism has been the core driving force in our fight to retain and bring back good industry jobs to our state. Continue reading
On the morning of June 26, our modernization bill went before the Senate Rev & Taxation Committee again and was unanimously moved through in preparation for its final votes. We were the only bill heard today, which serves as a testament to the support we have received to move our modernization provisions forth before the July recess. Continue reading
Introduced yesterday by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review was a series of trailer bills (SB 132) put into print.
We are excited to share that our $750million/annual funding for our California Film and Television Jobs Program is included in it! This means that the Governor’s proposal on funding now has the support of both houses of the Legislature — which is a critical next step to move the money forward. Our lobbyists have informed us that we expect to see these trailer bills move through the budget committee JUNE 25 which will make us eligible to be heard on the floor for a final vote. To be clear, that finish line is still out in front of us but we are getting closer. Continue reading
AFM Local 47 is pleased to present a score study master class on Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’: the Orchestrations of Bernard Herrmann with Instructor Dr. Norman Ludwin, exclusively for AFM Local 47 members.
This interactive Zoom master class takes place on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 3-5 p.m. Zoom registration is available to AFM Local 47 members in good standing. Once your membership has been verified, you will receive the Zoom link.
About the Instructor: Continue reading
This week, our Entertainment Union Coalition Board traveled to Sacramento to meet with key legislators and the Governor regarding the next steps to move our trailer bill — that includes the expansion and modernization of our Film and Television Jobs Program — forward QUICKLY.
Governor Newsom continues to express his commitment to the $750 million he has proposed for the funding of the program as a key priority in this very difficult budget year. We now need to merge the money with the programmatic changes that are in AB 1138/SB 630, and do so quickly so that we have a competitive California Film and Television Jobs Program. Critical players on these FINAL decisions are Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire. Both have been supportive of us, but they are faced with many difficult budget decisions and priorities in a year when CA is facing a significant deficit. Continue reading
Jazz icon John Clayton — pictured above with AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe — kicked off our 3rd Annual Jazz Festival, which honored Live Members, with a moving speech. Listen to it here:
The arrest and detention of SEIU California and SEIU-USWW President David Huerta was an outrageous and total miscarriage of justice.
Huerta was exercising his First Amendment right to observe and document law enforcement, and his unlawful detention is a direct violation of the Constitution.
While it is a relief that Huerta has been released, we stand with our fellow labor unions in demanding that all charges against Huerta be dropped, and that all those forcibly kidnapped and detained by ICE be released.
Standing together, you have sent over 10,000 individual letters to our Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Senate Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener and Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel. These continue to be the key elected officials in the next phase of our fight, and these letters are critical to have your voices heard.
This week, we achieved a major milestone in our fight, but we are not done yet. Continue reading
On May 29, AFM Local 47 was thrilled to exhibit for the second year in a row at the Musicians Institute Career & Industry Fair. The event brought out MI students and alumni, allowing them to meet and network with industry representatives.
Business Representative Russell Winkler and Communications Director Linda Rapka spent the sunny afternoon in Hollywood speaking with a steady stream of inquisitive music students about what they can expect after working their first AFM job and about the myriad benefits of union membership.
A Message from AFM International President Tino GagliardiFor the past several months, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has lobbied on behalf of musicians regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025-2026 Budget. For the first time, the AFM has taken a strong, proactive position to ensure we are heard in Sacramento. With thanks to Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) President Stephanie O’Keefe and AFM local leaders up and down the state, we have been successful. Our union now has a seat at the table among the other arts and entertainment unions and guilds. Continue reading