Category Archives: All News

AFM Local 47 offices are closed, but services remain available

Following the executive orders issued by Governor Newsom and Mayor Garcetti the evening of March 19, effective immediately, AFM Local 47 offices are closed until further notice.

We are committed to limiting disruptions to member services, with staff working remotely from home where possible. We will continue to serve our members by phone, email and other digital means. We thank you for your patience while our staff transitions to the remote setup, and please know that all of your calls, voicemails and emails will be returned as soon as possible. Continue reading →

A message from President John Acosta

Dear Member:

What a shockingly crazy few weeks! Our industry, our union, our members and families, staff and employers, colleagues here at home and around the world — all of our lives disrupted. Our gigs canceled, our concerts postponed, our schools closed and all around us fear and anxiety of what may come. Who would have known that when we wished “Happy New Year!” at 12 midnight of 2020 we would be here in March, quarantined in our homes because of a deadly virus that has attacked countries around the world and now begins to make its way through our society. Continue reading →

ICSOM Provides Legal Guidance Regarding the Application of Force Majeure Due to Coronavirus Threat

by Kevin Case, ICSOM Counsel and Member of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL)

via International Musician – Editor’s note: This article was a memo sent to International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) delegates and committee chairs, and a version of this is appearing in the ICSOM newsletter Senza Sordino. It is being reprinted with permission.

Dear Delegates:

As you know, the Covid-19 situation is developing rapidly and has begun to impact our orchestras. Several have cancelled or are planning to cancel concerts and upcoming tours, sometimes voluntarily and sometimes in response to orders from a municipal government or other controlling authority. Musicians have concerns about the legal implications of this on their employment—particularly the application of force majeure or “Act of God” clauses—and about how to work with management in this uncertain time. Continue reading →

H&W: Information for Kaiser, Blue Shield, and Delta Dental participants

Please review the following information regarding updates on the coronavirus COVID-19 health crisis. Continue reading →

Emergency Relief for musicians affected by coronavirus

The AFM Local 47 Executive Board has established an Emergency Relief Fund for members who have lost revenue due to work stoppages resulting from the coronavirus COVID-19 emergency.

The Local 47 COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund will be able to extend a limited amount of grants for members who work for employers covered by a Live Performance or Electronic Media Local 47 contract or CBA. Members in need may submit an application for up to two service sets lost, in the amount of $75 per service set, for a maximum total of $150. (The two service sets may be from the same employer or from different employers.)

A “service set” is a set of performances/rehearsals for one full run of a concert or show. For example, if a musician gets contracted to play for “The Sound of Music” on at the Pantages and is scheduled for 2 rehearsals and 3 separate performances, that counts as one “service set.” Continue reading →

Relief options for musicians: unemployment, disability, paid family leave & more

CA Employment Development Department (EDD)

If you have experienced canceled work services or reduced hours —whether or not you are a W2 employee — or you need to stay at home with your children due to school closures relating to COVID-19, you may be able to file a claim with the California EDD. Click here for full information to review your circumstances and how to apply for benefits.

Reduced Work Hours: If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim.
Sick or Quarantined: If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. (Note: Gov. Newsom has waived the state’s one-week waiting period for filing a claim.)
Caregiving: If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.
Employers: You can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.

Continue reading →

Important Coronavirus & Local 47 Facilities Update

In an abundance of caution and for the well-being of our members and staff, AFM Local 47 is taking increased precautionary measures regarding the use of our facilities while the situation surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to evolve. Continue reading →

[POSTPONED] Planning for Retirement – Financial Seminar for Musicians

The health and safety of our members is our number-one priority, and in an abundance of caution AFM Local 47 is postponing this event pending updates regarding the evolving Coronavirus COVID-19 health concerns.

We will alert you once this event is able to be rescheduled.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Continue reading →

Advice for Musicians in Relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A Message From AFM Local 47

The health and safety of our members and their families is of paramount importance. With the developing global situation, we have put together the following guide set out below concerning health and contractual matters relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

For advice on hygiene and preventing the spread of COVID-19, observe the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the prevention of catching and spreading germs here. Additionally, the Professional Musicians Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund offers these precautionary guidelines. Continue reading →

H&W: The New Coronavirus

How Does it Spread?

The 2019 strain of the corona virus is what is known as a novel coronavirus, which means that it is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is not the same as currently known coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. Continue reading →