Category Archives: Press Releases

AFM Local 47 calls for resignation of LA City Councilmembers Martinez, Cedillo and de León

The Executive Board of American Federation of Musicians Local 47 condemns the appalling anti-Black, anti-Indigenous, homophobic comments made during a meeting of now-former Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, Councilmembers Gil Cedillo and Kevin de León, and now-former Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera.

The hateful language used during this meeting, held within the walls of the House of Labor, was entirely unacceptable, as was the very nature of the meeting itself — scheming to disenfranchise Black and Asian voters by way of redistricting, the practice of which is deeply rooted in racial discrimination. These are not the values of the labor movement, nor are they the values of Angelenos. The only way forward is to demand accountability and swift action in the face of racism, homophobia, and bigotry, and to work for inclusion and solidarity.

Herrera’s resignation from the labor federation was wholly appropriate, and the continued presence of these three Los Angeles City Council members will only serve to create further division and pain in our already hurting communities. AFM Local 47 demands the immediate resignation of Cedillo, de León and Martinez, whose sentiments do not represent the residents of Los Angeles and the ever-growing and powerful labor movement.

AFM Local 47 Musicians Elect Marc Sazer as New Vice President

Marc Sazer has been elected the new vice president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, following the resignation of longtime vice president Rick Baptist.

Sazer, who was nominated alongside Kirstin Fife and Bonnie Janofsky, assumed office immediately upon the special election vote tally and certification by the election board during the union’s membership meeting on Jan. 24, 2022. He now serves as vice president alongside President Stephanie O’Keefe and Secretary/Treasurer Danita Ng-Poss, both of whom were elected at the union’s most recent general election in December 2020. Continue reading

In Groundbreaking Election, Stephanie O’Keefe Elected First Woman President in AFM Local 47 History

Danita Ng-Poss elected secretary/treasurer as first AFM Local 47 officer of Asian descent

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 5, 2021) – Members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 shattered a more than century-old glass ceiling by electing Stephanie O’Keefe as the first woman president in the union’s 123-year history. Secretary/Treasurer Elect Danita Ng-Poss, originally from Malaysia, will be the first person of Asian descent to serve as a titled officer of the union. Continue reading

AFM Local 47 Executive Board Announces 2020 Presidential Election Endorsements

Today the Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47 announced its endorsements for the 2020 Presidential Election. 

Amid rising calls for action, Local 47 members and leaders have become more politically engaged since the last presidential election. There’s a growing consensus among musicians that the 2020 election will have tremendous consequences, and that organizations that can take a stand should do so. Endorsements were taken up at the most recent Local 47 Executive Board meeting, open to all Local 47 members, where rank-and-file musicians and elected leaders had a healthy, open discussion about the contests most important to musicians and our communities.

“Today Local 47 is taking positions that reflect the priorities of working musicians and our communities: strengthening workers’ rights, expanding healthcare, addressing climate change and ending racial injustice,” said AFM Local 47 President John Acosta. “That’s what we stand for, and that’s why we’re calling on all our fellow musicians to vote, to volunteer, and to bring music into the fight for justice.” Continue reading

AFM Local 47 President John Acosta’s statement on George Floyd

American Federation of Musicians Local 47 President John Acosta today released the following statement on the murder of George Floyd:

“We stand with the people in our nation and around the world in condemnation of the murder of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Michael Brown, and too many others who have fallen victim to police violence. It is not enough to speak out over the racial inequality in our nation; we need to fight back against the attitudes and actions that have become so pervasive in our society.

“Now more than ever each and every one of us must do more, say more, and be more. We must be better than who we are if we are to make the lasting change our country needs so desperately.

“AFM Local 47 condemns racism of any kind and strengthens our resolve to work toward achieving meaningful, lasting change that brings equality and justice to everyone in our society.”

American Federation of Musicians Local 47 Endorses Bernie Sanders for President

Los Angeles musicians union makes historic move by taking position in 2020 Democratic Primary

LOS ANGELES, CA (Feb. 12, 2020) – The American Federation of Musicians Local 47 is proud to endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States in the 2020 Primary Election.

Members of the Los Angeles musicians union’s political action committee voted unanimously to recommend that the AFM Local 47 executive board – the elected leadership body of the 7,000-member union – endorse Sen. Sanders as the candidate who best represents the interests of musicians. On Tuesday, the board in turn voted unanimously to endorse Sanders in an unprecedented move for a union historically removed from taking official stances in presidential elections. Continue reading

Musicians Reach Tentative Deal With Film and TV Studios

Despite major improvements won, the fight for streaming residuals will continue

After more than two years of tough negotiations, musicians have reached a tentative agreement with major film and television studios that includes many substantive improvements and no significant concessions — yet still does not include residuals for work on made-for-streaming films and episodic TV shows.

Members of the American Federation of Musicians have been negotiating a new contract with major studios including Disney, CBS, MGM, Paramount, NBCUniversal, Sony and Warner Brothers, and the newly proposed contract features several major improvements for musicians. For the first time in history, musicians will receive screen credits when they perform on theatrical and streamed film scores. Also for the first time, the proposed deal establishes fair wages and conditions for high-budget shows made for streaming platforms. Continue reading

Musicians Rally at Disney Studios on Disney+ Launch Day to Demand Streaming Residuals

BURBANK, CA (Nov. 12, 2019) — On Tuesday, film and television musicians marked the launch of Disney’s new streaming service Disney+ with a large rally outside the company’s Burbank studios to demand a fair contract for streaming that includes residuals, set wages, and screen credits. Continue reading

Musicians Hold Live Street Performance Calling on Disney’s Dana Walden to Provide Fair Pay

Contract fight continues as film/TV studios refuse to pay musicians streaming residuals

LOS ANGELES, CA (Oct. 11, 2019) — Today musicians who score for television and films performed live music outside the Variety 2019 Power of Women luncheon calling on honoree Dana Walden, chairman of Disney Television Studios and ABC Entertainment, to pay musicians fairly for their work on streaming movies and TV shows. Continue reading

Musicians #BandTogether at Kickoff Rallies in LA, NY in Contract Fight for New Media Residuals

Negotiations resume this month with film/TV producers  

OCTOBER 7, 2019 — Today members of the American Federation of Musicians rallied from coast to coast as part of the musicians’ national grassroots #BandTogether campaign calling on film and TV producers to offer a fair contract that includes streaming residuals. 

In Sherman Oaks, a large crowd gathered in the morning outside the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers headquarters, where bargaining resumed today, to perform live music and rally with leaders from entertainment unions including SAG-AFTRA and WGA West. In New York, a concurrent rally took place outside NBCUniversal headquarters at Rockefeller Center with Congressman Jerrold Nadler and AFM members. The rallies follow several public actions held in recent weeks in Nashville, New York and Los Angeles. Continue reading