Got a question, a thought, need some information, want to be heard? We are committed to bringing Local 47 to you, opening doors, sharing and listening. Our regular Ask Me Anything series, Friday mornings at 11 a.m. is one way in which we are trying to invent space for you. We have also launched what we hope will be a monthly series of informational panels, beginning with our Health Care Panel on March 16th, featuring our Vice President and Local 47 Health and Welfare Fund Trustee John Acosta, Flex Plan Trustee Pete Anthony, and Flex Plan Administrator Sean Dugan. We are already planning a presentation by the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund in April. And shortly we will be rolling out a survey of all Local 47 members to ask what topics or presentations you would like to see.
We are currently interviewing candidates for Local 47 Director of Organizing and are happy to report that we have already interviewed several candidates who we would be thrilled to bring on board. The challenges that we face with our building in Burbank, the opportunities for organizing musicians and employment, and the needs we have for legislative and public policy support in Sacramento are all endeavors that can only move forward with a skilled, experienced organizing leader. Stay tuned!
We know that legislation on film/TV tax credits, support for arts non-profits, AI regulations and other issues are of key importance for musicians. We also know that the labor movement is central to the passage of public policy in the California legislature. We are actively engaged with both the LA County Federation of Labor, the California Federation of Labor Unions, and our sister entertainment unions, both through the Entertainment Union Coalition and beyond. Our Local 47 is also the key pathway to working with AFM Locals throughout the state and the AFM on public policy.
One example of an unexpected state benefit is specifically aimed at small arts non-profits – if you have a band or a chamber music group, that means you! The California Non-Profit Performing Arts Paymaster is a state-supported service that provides both payroll services and can act as an employer, providing one-stop shopping for musical projects. CalPayArts can work with Local 47 and MPTF contracts and take care of all the paperwork. Check it out!
On a different note, I’ll be traveling to New York this month for the second round of negotiations between the American Federation of Musicians and the major record labels for our Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA). We began with three days of talks here in Los Angeles, during which we held serious and illuminating discussions about artificial intelligence, health care, and other key concerns. AFM President Tino Gagliardi formed a health care committee to explore potentially new or reconfigured health care options for the SRLA, and I’m thrilled to be serving along with AFM Secretary-Treasurer Ken Shirk, AFM Vice President Dave Pomeroy, Local 10-208 President B.J. Levy and AFM Sound Recording Contract Administrator Mary Contini-Migliore. Throughout the process, we have benefited greatly from the participation of RMA President Allen Fogle and Rank-and-File Representative Caleb Vaughn-Jones, who bring knowledge and perspective to the table throughout these key negotiations.
On the Local 47 front, and with the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, we are moving forward together!