Category Archives: All News

2018 Wage Scale Update

The Executive Board has approved the Wage Scale Committee’s recommendations for updates to Live Engagements and Music Prep for Live Engagements, which take effect January 1, 2018.

The printed books will be published mid-January and available by request from the Live Performance Department. A digital copy of the 2018 Wage Scale book is available in the Member Section at afm47.org (login required) from the “Members-Only Scales & Documents” tab.

The AFM has made available Music Prep scales for copyists preparing parts for musical theater, which are also available in the members section of our website.

Women’s March Los Angeles 2018

Saturday, January 20th, 2018
9 a.m. – Pershing Square, Downtown Los Angeles

One year ago musicians made history by being part of the largest demonstration ever in Los Angeles. This year we will make our voices (and instruments) heard in the streets AND at the ballot box.

Musicians are taking a leadership role among entertainment unions: turning activism into political power for working people. Join us as we kick off a new year.

Cinema Scoring, Collective Media Guild added to AFM International Unfair List

Los Angeles-based Cinema Scoring and CMG Music Recording have been placed on the American Federation of Musicians International Unfair List for failure to pay area standards and discrimination against musicians due to union status.

These employers also appear on the AFM Local 47 Do Not Work For List. Continue reading

Save affordable housing for artists!

Tax bill amendment puts artist housing in jeopardy

A last-minute change in the proposed tax reform bill eliminates the “artists preference” that has existed in federal law for many years that will undermine the ability to develop new affordable housing for people in our community.

We need as many voices as possible behind the push to correct this terrible amendment.

SAMPLE MESSAGE: 

 Dear Senator, 

I respectfully ask that you DO NOT REMOVE THE ARTIST PREFERENCE clause of SEC.42(g)(9)(c) Law. I would like to see the artist preference clause kept and the new veterans preference language added to it, making it a stronger and more inclusive piece of legislation. Continue reading

Emergency relief for musicians

Musicians affected by the California wildfires may apply for disaster relief through the Local 47 Relief Fund and the Music Fund of Los Angeles. Follow the links to download the applications and call 323.993.3159 to speak with Rimona Seay, who will walk you through the application process.

The Actors Fund offers assistance nationally to everyone who works in performing arts and entertainment, including actors, musicians, and many more. Visit actorsfund.org/GetHelp to apply and for referrals to area resources.

The LA County Federation of Labor, through Labor Community Services (501(c)(3) non-profit), is working to assist in relief efforts and in coordination with government and non-profit agencies. If you, or someone you know, are in need basic needs support – including housing, food, or connection to others services, please contact Margarita at Margarita@theLAFED.org. If you can contribute to the Fed’s “Disaster Relief Fund,” make checks payable to: Labor Community Services, Memo Line: Disaster Relief Fund, Address: 2130 W. James M. Wood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90006.


If you need temporary shelter, or if you have available space — be it a spare room or a couch — to offer for a musician in need, please post your information here (this service is generously provided by AFM Local 6 member Robert Ashley).

It’s important to make sure that you and your loved ones are are prepared and informed in the event of a disaster or emergency. Here are useful links to help you plan ahead or find relief.

TV Musicians Demand Respect from the Networks

Audience members outside of “The Late Late Show With James Corden” taping at CBS Television Studios Dec. 6, 2017, support TV musicians and call on the networks to #RespectTheBand.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 7, 2017 – Musicians working on late-night, award, and other live television shows are calling on the networks to pay band members when they appear on YouTube and network websites.

“Other performers are all paid when Jimmy Kimmel Live! streams on YouTube or other online outlets, yet musicians are paid nothing. Musicians just want to be compensated for our likeness and our music,” said Cleto Escobedo III, Musical Director of Cleto and the Cletones. “I love Jimmy, the producers, and everyone we work with. We just need to make sure the networks treat us and ALL of our colleagues fairly.” Continue reading