Tag Archives: AFM

Hollywood Labor Joint Statement on Jimmy Kimmel

The Hollywood unions — AFM, DGA, IATSE and SAG-AFTRA — issued the following joint statement after this week’s announcement that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was being suspended indefinitely by ABC:

“The indefinite removal of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ under government pressure is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing trend of increasing interference in creative expression. This kind of political pressure on broadcasters and artists chills free speech and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans.

“When a private citizen, business, or television network bows to government intimidation, it strikes at the heart of our First Amendment rights. Creative artists must be free to do their work without fear that their careers or their family’s livelihoods will be disrupted simply for their opinions.

“These cases pull the rug out from under the hardworking American workers behind the scenes who make these productions possible. At a time when America’s film and television industry is still struggling due to globalization and industry contraction, further unnecessary job losses only make a bad situation worse.

“Finally, media companies have a responsibility to defend their workers and the integrity of the stories they tell. All broadcasters must stand firm in defense of free expression and the First Amendment, not capitulate to a policy of political appeasement.”

This statement follows similar statements released individually by AFM International President Tino Gagliardi, Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. Other unions and union groups that have released statements include the Producers Guild of America, Teamsters 399, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and the California Federation of Labor Unions.

AFM Statement in Response to ABC Taking ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Off the Air

American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada President Tino Gagliardi issued the following statement in response to ABC taking Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which employs musicians from Local 47 in Los Angeles, off the air:

“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now.

“This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society. The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air.

“We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”

Important AFM Update: CA Film & TV Tax Credit Expansion & Musician Jobs

A Message from AFM International President Tino Gagliardi

For the past several months, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has lobbied on behalf of musicians regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025-2026 Budget. For the first time, the AFM has taken a strong, proactive position to ensure we are heard in Sacramento. With thanks to Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) President Stephanie O’Keefe and AFM local leaders up and down the state, we have been successful. Our union now has a seat at the table among the other arts and entertainment unions and guilds. Continue reading →

AFM Launches #NotMe App for Safe Reporting of Workplace Misconduct

Report Anonymously, Protect Your Rights, and Contribute to a Better Work Environment for All

by Rochelle Skolnick, AFM Symphonic Services Division Director and Special Counsel
and Jonathan Ferrone, AFM Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President

Reports of sexual harassment, assault, and other abusive practices within our industry have become more public over the past few years. The AFM strives to ensure a safe, comfortable, and productive work environment for all members. Our union, after all, belongs to all of its members, and an injury to one is an injury to us all. Unfortunately, we have learned that some members may not have felt comfortable reporting sensitive situations to their union and some were unaware that their union could help in such cases. Continue reading →

NAMM 2025

MPTF Trustee Dan Beck, AFM Local 7 Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Noreyko, AFM Local 47 Sound Recording Business Representative Jamie Vespa, AFM Local 47 Communications Director Linda Rapka, AFM International Musician Advertising Director Honore Stockley, AFM Director of Communications Antoinette Follet, AFM Director of Freelance Services Wages Argott, and AFM Local 7 President Edmund Velasco.

The American Federation of Musicians and Music Performance Trust Fund were thrilled to exhibit at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants show for the second year in a row. Continue reading →

AFM, NBCUniversal Settle Civil Action; Submit Your Incomplete Track Information

NBCUniversal (NBCU) and American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) are jointly requesting information, pursuant to a settlement agreement in the civil action AFM v. NBCUniversal Media, LLC et al., pertaining to incomplete tracks used in one of the following programs from March 1, 2020 through October 1, 2024 (“Claim Period”), in order to ensure proper payment for such use pursuant to the Television Videotape Agreement:

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
“Late Night with Seth Meyers”
“Saturday Night Live”
“Today Show”
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” Continue reading →

Announcement: Remote Recording

Please note that all musicians working under the Sound Recording Labor Agreement, the Basic Theatrical Motion Picture Agreement, and the Basic Television Motion Picture Agreement are to receive double the Recording Musician’s rate for ALL sessions for which they record remotely.

Despite a previous temporary application and interpretation of the relevant contract language, such temporary application and interpretation is no longer in effect.

If you are called for a session in which you are asked to perform alone and are told you will be receiving single scale, please contact my office immediately.

Thank you,

Stephanie O’Keefe
President, AFM Local 47

AFM Motion Picture/TV Film contract extended through November; musicians’ fight for streaming continues

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Negotiations between the AFM and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers began March 13. On the first morning of bargaining, musicians held a press conference calling on the film and TV studios to engage in fair contract negotiations and protect the future careers of professional musicians as the industry shifts to streaming and online distribution. The story was reported by several news outlets including Variety, Billboard, Deadline, and Digital Music News. Continue reading →

January 2019 Overture Online: Back in the Game 🎮

BACK IN THE GAME:
AFM hits reset button on Video Game Agreement

AFM Local 47 2018 Election Returns
Congratulations to our newly elected union officials!

The Virtual Orchestra – 30 Years Later
An overview from TMA SoCal

Musicians Helping Musicians
Member-led health education committee strives to serve those in need

and more!

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Overture Online is optimized for reading via smartphone or tablet. For those without access to a smart device, issues may be viewed on a web browser here. Local 47 members may download archived pdf versions from the members section at afm47.org.

A Message from AFM International President Tino Gagliardi

Report Anonymously, Protect Your Rights, and Contribute to a Better Work Environment for All

BACK IN THE GAME: AFM hits reset button on Video Game Agreement

BACK IN THE GAME:
AFM hits reset button on Video Game Agreement