HOLLYWOOD, CA (Oct. 24, 2012) — After years of urging by Professional Musicians, Local 47 — the labor union representing musicians in Los Angeles — producers of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” this week agreed to compensate musical guest performers under American Federation of Musicians (AFM) contracts.
Musicians performing on “Ellen” previously received wages and benefits under contracts with the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and were deemed as “specialty acts” rather than musicians, a distinction disputed by Local 47. SAG-AFTRA contracts do not include the provisions for residuals and re-use payments to musicians that are covered under AFM contracts. Per labor standards, if two or more unions have overlapping jurisdiction, workers must be compensated at the higher prevailing rate.
Local 47 Vice President John Acosta spearheaded the negotiations three years ago with “Ellen” producers Telepictures, and within this last year increased efforts to finalize talks and sign guest musicians to AFM contracts. “Starting today AFM musicians will be paid appropriately under our agreements,” Acosta said. “We thank our counterparts at ‘Ellen’ for doing the right thing.”
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” tapes at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, Calif., having moved from nearby NBC Studios in 2008 and has been on the air since late 2003. The syndicated talk show does not employ a house band, but rather DJ Tony Okungbowa, who works under contract of SAG-AFTRA.
About Local 47
Professional Musicians, Local 47 is a labor organization formed by and for musicians over a century ago that promotes and protects the concerns of musicians in all areas of the music business. With more than 8,000 members, Local 47 negotiates with employers to establish fair wages and working conditions for musicians. 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 professional musicians. The AFM represents more than 90,000 musicians including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums.
###
