Category Archives: All News

Results of Voting at Oct. 27, 2025 General Membership Meeting

At our October 27, 2025 General Membership Meeting, members voted to fill a vacancy on the Salary Review Board and on 3 Resolutions to amend the bylaws. The results of voting are as follows:

Special Election to Fill Vacancy on Salary Review Board
Paul Sternhagen: 44
Luanne Homzy: 17

Resolution 1: Proposed Salary Reductions
Yes: 19
No: 40
Resolution not adopted

Resolution 2: Organizing
Yes: 42
No: 10
Resolution adopted, as amended

Resolution 3: Electronic Membership Meetings and Voting
Yes: 47
No: 3
Resolution adopted

An updated set of the Local 47 Bylaws reflecting these amendments may be found in the members-only section of the Local 47 website, ensemble.afm47.org (click the “Documents” button). (If you have not yet logged in to our new system, please visit afm47.org/e2/account for instructions.)

Final Note: Serena Kay Williams

Life Member & AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus. String Bass
4/9/1921 – 10/4/2025

by Leslie Baker

Thank you, Serena. My lifelong friendship with Serena Kay Williams began before I could remember. She informed me many years later that she met me as a 6-year-old holding the hand of my piano-playing father, Dick Baker. I was just starting piano lessons then. My Dad played piano in Earl Williams (Serena’s husband) band, Serena played bass in Earl’s band. She watched me grow going through countless gigs to become a pro bassist. Serena encouraged and loved so many of us musicians. That was her way. Serena is liked, loved and respected by many. There are decades of memories of times with Serena. Let me describe perhaps the most important: When Serena decided her favorite bass, the last one made by Mr. Robles himself in 1962 (he was over 90 when he made this bass) had sat unplayed for too long (her playing days were behind her as she took on her role as a top officer in the Local 47 Musicians Union), she let me know it was for sale. She offered me the chance to have it for a week to decide if it was right for me. After a few days of trying it out we made our deal. Continue reading →

Demand an End to the Government Shutdown

Across the country, federal workers are struggling to pay bills without their paychecks. On October 22, American Federation of Government Employees TSA Local 1260 hosted a press conference and food distribution at LAX demanding an end to the government shutdown, which has now dragged on for over three weeks. Continue reading →

Rehearsal Rooms: New Backline Available

AFM Local 47 would like to thank our neighbor CenterStaging for generously donating four bass amps to our rehearsal room backline. A bass amp stack — from brands like Gallien Krueger, SWR, and TC Electronics — will now be stationed in Rooms 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. 

A huge THANK YOU to CenterStaging and coordinator Ryan Smith for helping our musicians rock on!

To book a room, visit afm47.org/rehearsals.

Rehearsal Rooms

Final Note: Serena Kay Williams

Life Member & AFM Local 47 Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus. String Bass
4/9/1921 – 10/4/2025

by Hal Espinosa, President Emeritus

I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Serena. The last time I spoke with her at 103, she never skipped a beat. She sounded like she did while we were still officers at Local 47, still sounded bright, witty and happy. She was helpful to the membership, she was honest, responsible and duty-bound to her office. While I was getting my feet wet as the new vice president, Serena took me under her wing and made sure I knew and understood my leadership role. She was the glue that kept us all going in the right direction. Serena was a sincere and beautiful Lady, and I will miss her dearly!

Photo credit: Overture archival photo – Hal Espinosa with Serena Kay Williams on the evening she received the prestigious Grande Dame Award from the Industrial Relations Research Association, September 2005.