Tag Archives: AFM

Strength in Numbers

Good News!

Public support for labor unions is on the rise across all generations, according to voter surveys conducted by the Center for American Progress. This good news comes as union membership in the U.S. reached a 16-year high in 2025.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reports that the number of workers covered under union contracts increased to approximately 16.5 million in 2025, up from 16 million in 2024. This marks the highest level of unionized workers since 2009.

This growing trend occurred even amidst federal attacks on public sector workers. It demonstrates a growing recognition among workers of the power of collective bargaining and the essential need for fair wages, benefits, working conditions and protections that a union provides. We should both celebrate and capitalize on this momentum.

Continue reading →

SLRA Negotiations Report

Local 47, RMA, and AFM Rank-and-File Representative to the Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SLRA) Negotiations, Caleb Vaughn, has provided the following update.

“As musicians working under this labor agreement, we must prioritize modernized payment and record-keeping systems that ensure accuracy, transparency, and timely compensation.

We also need meaningful educational resources that equip musicians and producers to better understand the sound recording business and its evolving landscape. Clear contractual language must prohibit the unethical use of artificial intelligence and safeguard human artistry.

Finally, our work should translate into reasonable, accessible, and truly usable healthcare contributions that support the long-term wellbeing of the musicians who power this industry.”

Congratulations 2026 GRAMMY Nominees!

Congratulations to everyone whose work can be heard on the 68th Annual GRAMMY-nominated tracks and albums, recorded under AFM union contracts filed with Local 47! Listen to our #AFM47 Grammys 2026 YouTube Playlist while browsing the list below.

AFM 47 Grammys 2026 Playlist AFM 2026 Grammy Nominees

Join AFM at NAMM 2026

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is excited to once again be hosting a booth at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants Show, the industry’s largest stage uniting the global music, sound and entertainment technology communities.

Find AFM at Booth 9007, Hall B during the event’s three exhibit days, January 22-24 (view map).

Snag your 2026 NAMM badge here.

Hollywood Labor Joint Statement on Jimmy Kimmel

The Hollywood unions — AFM, DGA, IATSE and SAG-AFTRA — issued the following joint statement after this week’s announcement that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was being suspended indefinitely by ABC:

“The indefinite removal of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ under government pressure is not an isolated incident. It is part of a disturbing trend of increasing interference in creative expression. This kind of political pressure on broadcasters and artists chills free speech and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of working Americans.

“When a private citizen, business, or television network bows to government intimidation, it strikes at the heart of our First Amendment rights. Creative artists must be free to do their work without fear that their careers or their family’s livelihoods will be disrupted simply for their opinions.

“These cases pull the rug out from under the hardworking American workers behind the scenes who make these productions possible. At a time when America’s film and television industry is still struggling due to globalization and industry contraction, further unnecessary job losses only make a bad situation worse.

“Finally, media companies have a responsibility to defend their workers and the integrity of the stories they tell. All broadcasters must stand firm in defense of free expression and the First Amendment, not capitulate to a policy of political appeasement.”

This statement follows similar statements released individually by AFM International President Tino Gagliardi, Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA. Other unions and union groups that have released statements include the Producers Guild of America, Teamsters 399, AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, and the California Federation of Labor Unions.

AFM Statement in Response to ABC Taking ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ Off the Air

American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada President Tino Gagliardi issued the following statement in response to ABC taking Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which employs musicians from Local 47 in Los Angeles, off the air:

“This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. This is state censorship. It’s now happening in the United States of America, not some far-off country. It’s happening right here and right now.

“This act by the Trump Administration represents a direct attack on free speech and artistic expression. These are fundamental rights that we must protect in a free society. The American Federation of Musicians strongly condemns the decision to take Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air.

“We stand in solidarity with all those who will be without work because of government overreach.”

Important AFM Update: CA Film & TV Tax Credit Expansion & Musician Jobs

A Message from AFM International President Tino Gagliardi

For the past several months, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has lobbied on behalf of musicians regarding Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025-2026 Budget. For the first time, the AFM has taken a strong, proactive position to ensure we are heard in Sacramento. With thanks to Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) President Stephanie O’Keefe and AFM local leaders up and down the state, we have been successful. Our union now has a seat at the table among the other arts and entertainment unions and guilds. Continue reading →

AFM Launches #NotMe App for Safe Reporting of Workplace Misconduct

Report Anonymously, Protect Your Rights, and Contribute to a Better Work Environment for All

by Rochelle Skolnick, AFM Symphonic Services Division Director and Special Counsel
and Jonathan Ferrone, AFM Chief of Staff and Assistant to the President

Reports of sexual harassment, assault, and other abusive practices within our industry have become more public over the past few years. The AFM strives to ensure a safe, comfortable, and productive work environment for all members. Our union, after all, belongs to all of its members, and an injury to one is an injury to us all. Unfortunately, we have learned that some members may not have felt comfortable reporting sensitive situations to their union and some were unaware that their union could help in such cases. Continue reading →

NAMM 2025

MPTF Trustee Dan Beck, AFM Local 7 Secretary/Treasurer Tammy Noreyko, AFM Local 47 Sound Recording Business Representative Jamie Vespa, AFM Local 47 Communications Director Linda Rapka, AFM International Musician Advertising Director Honore Stockley, AFM Director of Communications Antoinette Follet, AFM Director of Freelance Services Wages Argott, and AFM Local 7 President Edmund Velasco.

The American Federation of Musicians and Music Performance Trust Fund were thrilled to exhibit at this year’s National Association of Music Merchants show for the second year in a row. Continue reading →

AFM, NBCUniversal Settle Civil Action; Submit Your Incomplete Track Information

NBCUniversal (NBCU) and American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) are jointly requesting information, pursuant to a settlement agreement in the civil action AFM v. NBCUniversal Media, LLC et al., pertaining to incomplete tracks used in one of the following programs from March 1, 2020 through October 1, 2024 (“Claim Period”), in order to ensure proper payment for such use pursuant to the Television Videotape Agreement:

“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”
“Late Night with Seth Meyers”
“Saturday Night Live”
“Today Show”
“The Kelly Clarkson Show” Continue reading →