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Emergency Relief for musicians affected by coronavirus

The AFM Local 47 Executive Board has established an Emergency Relief Fund for members who have lost revenue due to work stoppages resulting from the coronavirus COVID-19 emergency.

The Local 47 COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund will be able to extend a limited amount of grants for members who work for employers covered by a Live Performance or Electronic Media Local 47 contract or CBA. Members in need may submit an application for up to two service sets lost, in the amount of $75 per service set, for a maximum total of $150. (The two service sets may be from the same employer or from different employers.)

A “service set” is a set of performances/rehearsals for one full run of a concert or show. For example, if a musician gets contracted to play for “The Sound of Music” on at the Pantages and is scheduled for 2 rehearsals and 3 separate performances, that counts as one “service set.” Continue reading →

Relief options for musicians: unemployment, disability, paid family leave & more

CA Employment Development Department (EDD)

If you have experienced canceled work services or reduced hours —whether or not you are a W2 employee — or you need to stay at home with your children due to school closures relating to COVID-19, you may be able to file a claim with the California EDD. Click here for full information to review your circumstances and how to apply for benefits.

Reduced Work Hours: If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim.
Sick or Quarantined: If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. (Note: Gov. Newsom has waived the state’s one-week waiting period for filing a claim.)
Caregiving: If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.
Employers: You can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.

Continue reading →

Important Coronavirus & Local 47 Facilities Update

In an abundance of caution and for the well-being of our members and staff, AFM Local 47 is taking increased precautionary measures regarding the use of our facilities while the situation surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus continues to evolve. Continue reading →

[POSTPONED] Planning for Retirement – Financial Seminar for Musicians

The health and safety of our members is our number-one priority, and in an abundance of caution AFM Local 47 is postponing this event pending updates regarding the evolving Coronavirus COVID-19 health concerns.

We will alert you once this event is able to be rescheduled.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Continue reading →

Advice for Musicians in Relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A Message From AFM Local 47

The health and safety of our members and their families is of paramount importance. With the developing global situation, we have put together the following guide set out below concerning health and contractual matters relating to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

For advice on hygiene and preventing the spread of COVID-19, observe the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the prevention of catching and spreading germs here. Additionally, the Professional Musicians Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund offers these precautionary guidelines. Continue reading →

H&W: The New Coronavirus

How Does it Spread?

The 2019 strain of the corona virus is what is known as a novel coronavirus, which means that it is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is not the same as currently known coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. Continue reading →

March 2020 Overture Online: Women Who Rock

Inside This Issue:

Women Who Rock

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Voting is Changing in CA

How to cast your ballot in the 2020 Primary

Member Spotlight

Zooey Deschanel

and more!

Download the FREE App:

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.

Women Who Rock: #AFM47 Playlist

March is Women’s History Month, and to celebrate we’re highlighting just a few of our wonderfully talented female members with our “Women Who Rock” #AFM47 playlist.

Listen below to hear music made by women members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, recorded union in Los Angeles.

Final Note: Howlett ‘Smitty’ Smith

Life Member. Piano
2/28/1933 – 11/24/2019

by Paul Gormley, Life Member

Howlett Smith was a unique pianist, singer, whistler, composer, and lyricist who I had the pleasure of working with for more than 25 years. Smitty’s career was mainly as musical entertainer in live venues. He performed at Bob Burns restaurant in Santa Monica for 10 years, left to play at Sterlings in Santa Monica for 10 years, then returned to Bob Burns for a 20(!)-year run. He had a fan base that ranged from non-musicians to jazz DJ Chuck Niles and singer Mark Murphy. Continue reading →

Final Note: Richard ‘Slyde’ Hyde

Life Member. Trombone
7/4/1936 – 7/15/2019

by Paul Gormley, Life Member

I met Slyde in 1988 on bus trip to Lake Havasu with the Capp/Pierce Juggernaut big band. Before we arrived back in L.A., Slyde had invited me to come to his and Yolee’s Lake Sherwood home for dinner. This was the beginning of a warm friendship that continues. Continue reading →