September was another busy and productive month at Local 47, with much of our work focused on expanding employment opportunities for our members, strengthening our union’s operations and resources, and developing programs that can provide long-term benefits for musicians.

LS-1 Flex

One of the most encouraging developments this month has been the continued progress of LS-1 Flex. Following its official approval for use, I had the opportunity to present the program to both the Western Conference and the California Conference, where it generated significant interest.

We are now organizing an online seminar for October to help musicians better understand how LS-1 Flex can be used for private teaching and live performance while providing access to union pension and health contributions. This has the potential to bring more musicians and more types of work under the union umbrella.

Expanding Live Music Employment

Our new Live Music Group continues to gain momentum and now includes eight volunteers working to identify new employment opportunities and build stronger relationships with employers, venues, and community partners.

At Hollywood Burbank Airport, preparations are underway for the October 5 launch of live music performances. Following our walkthrough and meeting with the airport events coordinator, we have already begun discussions with the airport operator to hire musicians at the airport as part of a joint program.

Workforce Development

We met with the South Bay Workforce Investment Board to discuss potential funding and apprenticeship opportunities. Our goal is to develop stronger pathways into professional music for young and emerging musicians while connecting workforce-development resources with union employment.

Creating these kinds of entry points is important not only for the next generation of musicians, but also for building the future membership of Local 47.

Community & Industry Engagement

We continued outreach and relationship-building throughout the music community and industry, including discussions with SoundLab, preparations surrounding the VMA Awards and a Local 47 Health & Welfare Trust meeting, and outreach with MusiCares.

We have also begun planning 2027 spring music events, including an International Women’s Day weekend in March and a jazz event in April, creating additional opportunities to showcase musicians and strengthen Local 47’s presence in the community.

To ensure proper reporting and compliance under our agreements, I also met with a representative from the Electronic Media Department regarding Taft-Hartley compliance and reviewed the 2024–2025 Live Performance and Electronic Media reports.

Building & Operations

Work continues on maximizing the potential of our Local 47 property. We met with our architect regarding revisions to the second-floor layout while continuing to explore potential tenants, rentals, naming rights, and other opportunities to generate additional revenue from the building.

We also addressed necessary building and infrastructure issues, including fire suppression, alarm systems, and electrical gate repairs.

Our rehearsal rooms continue to serve as an important resource for musicians and the broader community. This month, we were pleased to welcome a Persian Orchestra into the facility. We remain committed to making Local 47 a place where musicians can rehearse, perform, collaborate, and connect.

Moving Forward

The initiatives underway this month share a common purpose: creating more work for musicians, strengthening union protections, developing the next generation of professionals, and making the best possible use of Local 47’s resources.

There is still much work ahead, but I am encouraged by the progress we are making and look forward to building on that momentum in the months ahead.

In solidarity,

John Acosta
Vice President
AFM Local 47