Hollywood Labor Joint Statement on Jimmy Kimmel

The Hollywood unions — AFM, DGA, IATSE and SAG-AFTRA — issued the following joint statement after this week’s announcement that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was being suspended indefinitely by ABC:

“The indefinite removal of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ under government pressure is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing trend of increasing interference in creative expression. This kind of political pressure on broadcasters and artists chills free speech and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans.

“When a private citizen, business, or television network bows to government intimidation, it strikes at the heart of our First Amendment rights. Creative artists must be free to do their work without fear that their careers or their family’s livelihoods will be disrupted simply for their opinions.

“These cases pull the rug out from under the hardworking American workers behind the scenes who make these productions possible. At a time when America’s film and television industry is still struggling due to globalization and industry contraction, further unnecessary job losses only make a bad situation worse.

“Finally, media companies have a responsibility to defend their workers and the integrity of the stories they tell. All broadcasters must stand firm in defense of free expression and the First Amendment, not capitulate to a policy of political appeasement.”

This statement follows similar statements released individually by AFM International President Tino Gagliardi, Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. Other unions and union groups that have released statements include the Producers Guild of America, Teamsters 399, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and the California Federation of Labor Unions.

AFM Statement in Response to ABC Taking ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Off the Air

American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada President Tino Gagliardi issued the following statement in response to ABC taking Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which employs musicians from Local 47 in Los Angeles, off the air:

“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now.

“This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society. The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air.

“We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”

Final Note: James A. Hampton

Life Member. Alto/Tenor Saxophone
12/5/1927 – 8/27/2025

James Hampton was born to Joe and Fredonia Hampton in Memphis, Tennessee December 5, 1927. The last surviving sibling of five (Joseph, Edna Earl, Mary and Mildred Hampton), he lived a long life filled with many joyful events and love. A brief look into his life is as follows:

A veteran who served in WW2, he always remembered to take care of his parents by sending $32 a month of his allotment while he was in the army. Continue reading

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

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

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.

Joe Soldo

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