The musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra are now in the seventh week of their strike. This strike is the result of unacceptable demands made by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, including minimal salary increases and that the musicians agree to close their defined-benefit pension plan and replace it with a defined-contribution system (e.g., 401k or 403b accounts). Continue reading
Honorary AFM Local 47 Member Seth MacFarlane received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 23, 2019.
The multi-talented actor/composer/performer/producer is renowned in the musical community for his commitment to live music and musicians, in addition to his generous support of philanthropic causes. He has created some of the most popular content on television and in film today – Family Guy, American Dad!, The Orville, Ted, A Million Ways to Die in the West – all scored with AFM Local 47 musicians.
MacFarlane also works as an activist against climate change, is a supporter of Reading Rainbow, and serves with the Human Rights Campaign.
Nearly 50 years ago, Congress passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, promising every worker the right to a safe job. Unions and our allies have fought hard to make that promise a reality—winning protections that have made jobs safer and saved lives. But our work is not done. Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions more suffer injury or illness because of their jobs. Continue reading
AFM Local 47 Life Member Abraham Laboriel has lived a life surrounded by music.
Born in Mexico City, his parents were Garifuna immigrants from Honduras. His sister is singer Ela Laboriel, and their brother was late rock singer Johnny Laboriel. Abraham is the father of drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. and of producer, songwriter, and film composer Mateo Laboriel — both of whom are also proud members of the Los Angeles musicians union. Continue reading
Members: please join us for our Summer Membership Meeting on Monday night. Arrive early for BBQ and a movie!
6:30 p.m. – BURNT TO A CRISP food truck
(First 20 members to arrive get a FREE food voucher!)
7 p.m. – MPTF Film Screening: “MusicianFest: Never Too Old” (10 min.)
7:30 p.m. – Meeting
On the Agenda (subject to change):
* Presentation of 50-Year Pins
* Special Election to Fill Vacancy on Executive Board
* Investments Update from Alon Haim, Merrill Lynch
* Officer Reports
* Old and New Business
Open to all members in good standing.
Join us at 6:30 p.m. to enjoy delicious BBQ from the BURNT TO A CRISP TEXAS SMOKEHOUSE food truck. We’ll have complimentary vouchers for the first 20 members to arrive!
During the meeting there will be a special election to fill a vacancy on the Executive Board, currently held temporarily by P. Blake Cooper as appointed by the Board. For information on Vacancies and Special Elections, please refer to Articles IX and X of the AFM Local 47 Bylaws, available in the members section of our website or upon request from the Secretary/Treasurer’s Office.
At 7 p.m. we will present a special 10-minute screening of the new documentary MusicianFest: Never Too Old. Created by the Music Industries’ Music Performance Trust Fund, the film highlights the power of music to bring joy, purpose, connectivity, and healing to all people. It explores the paths that led the professional AFM musicians featured in the film, many who are seniors themselves, to perform for older audiences in New York City, New Orleans and Long Beach, California. Continue reading
Additional Details
In honor of Earth Day, see what these AFM Local 47 musicians are doing to save our environment.
AFM Local 47 is proud to co-sponsor this year’s May Day rally with live musical performers, Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea!
In response to a laudatory article about the non-union Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra titled “This orchestra wants no conductor: How Kaleidoscope aims to move in different directions” published in the LA Times by Rick Schultz on Feb. 13, 2019, we share another view written by AFM Local 47 Director Vivian Wolf. Kaleidoscope refuses to sign onto an AFM contract and currently appears on the union’s Do Not Work For list for failure to pay musicians according to industry standards. Along with the entire Executive Board, Wolf is deeply concerned about this situation, and Local 47 will continue to reach out to Kaleidoscope in order to discuss organizing the orchestra and its musicians under an AFM agreement.
It was with great interest that I read the article by Rick Schultz describing the Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra. The article was highly laudatory and indeed, there is much to praise about the ensemble founded by Benjamin Mitchell. It is the only conductor-less orchestra in the Los Angeles area, it brings music to unique venues and champions new repertoire. What it doesn’t do, is pay the performers a fair wage. In fact, by refusing any involvement with the American Federation of Musicians Local 47, Kaleidoscope is exploiting the enthusiasm and energy of its young musicians. Even though the ensemble receives many large contributions, the orchestra does not have any kind of contract and certainly doesn’t offer the players any health or pension benefits — benefits that would be in play under a union contract. Continue reading
by Roxanne Castillo, Esq.
I have been receiving many calls asking how and when residuals and royalties are triggered and from where the money comes. Residuals and royalties flow from primary markets, secondary markets, and copyrights. Here is a quick guide to help you pinpoint how the money flows and to whom you should reach out if you suspect you are owed money but have yet to see a check. Continue reading