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.”
“This is a historic contract for the LA Philharmonic musicians and Local 47,” said Brian Johnson, chair of the orchestra’s negotiating committee. “This success in bargaining wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible guidance of special legal counsel Michael Weiner and Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe. We are immensely grateful for their support in this process, which maintains and grows the artistic excellence of the LA Philharmonic now and into the future.”
“I am so pleased and honored to have worked with this fabulous orchestra to achieve this stellar agreement,” said AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe.
“It was a good negotiation process, and I enjoyed working with the LA Phil committee and the local union president to agree to contract terms that help further the goals of artistic excellence and demonstrate our respect for the great musicians of the LA Phil,” said Kim Noltemy, president and CEO of the LA Phil.
The successful conclusion of this new four-year agreement underscores the shared commitment of AFM Local 47 musicians and the LA Philharmonic Association to honor the artistry, cultural contributions, and rich history of this world-class orchestra. With 106 permanent members (103 performing musicians and three music librarians), the LA Phil — formed in 1919 — is the largest single employer of AFM Local 47 musicians in the history of the union, and is one of the only orchestras in the United States that guarantees its musicians year-round employment.
The agreement, which was ratified on Wednesday, begins Sept. 15, 2025.
The members of the LA Philharmonic Orchestra Negotiating Committee are Brian Johnson (chair), John Lofton (vice chair), Evan Kuhlmann (secretary), Ted Botsford, and James Wilt.
About AFM Local 47 – Local 47 is a labor organization formed by and for musicians over a century ago that promotes and protects the concerns of over 5,000 musicians throughout the greater Los Angeles area in all facets of the music business. Local 47 is affiliated with the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, the largest organization in the world representing the interests of 70,000 professional musicians.
Press Contact: Linda A. Rapka
323.240.1849 | linda.rapka@afm47.org
