Tag Archives: CBA

LA Ballet Signs New CBA

The Los Angeles Ballet, which closed a successful run of “The Nutcracker” at the Dolby Theatre, recently ratified their new successor collective bargaining agreement on December 27, 2025.

“The Los Angeles Ballet Orchestra Committee is thrilled to have ratified this CBA in collaboration with LA Ballet management and is excited to be a part of this innovative ballet company,” Marcia Dickstein, harpist and orchestra committee chair.

“I was very pleased with this negotation,” said AFM Local President Stephanie O’Keefe. “The new agreement clearly highlights LA Ballet’s recognition of the magic that happens when live music meets dance.”

AFM Local 47 Welcomes YOLA Teaching Artists

Photo by Linda A. Rapka // AFM International President Tino Gagliardi stands with the YOLA Teaching Artists at the headquarters of Local 47 on December 8, following their filing for union representation.

Last month, teaching artists at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) won union representation by AFM Local Local 47.

YOLA at Torres, a performing arts magnet school in East LA, and YOLA at Inglewood teaching artists at the Beckmen YOLA Center were the first to receive recognition from the National Labor Relations Board in early December. YOLA at HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles), located in the Rampart district, followed with an overwhelming majority vote of its teaching artists the following week. Continue reading →

Palm Springs Symphony

Palm Springs Symphony Signs First-Time CBA With AFM Local 47 

Just days before the first concert of their inaugural season, the Palm Springs Symphony signed its first collective bargaining agreement with AFM Local 47, which saw 42 musicians performing on the stage of the newly refurbished Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs on December 7, 2025.

“Thanks to all the members who stepped up, asked the employer for a contract, and worked closely with the Local to bring this contract to fruition,” said AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe. “We were able to reach an agreement less than 72 hours before the first rehearsal. The entire process was a great reminder of what we can accomplish when we all work together.”

New Agreement With Wallis Annenberg Center

We are pleased to announce a new three-year deal with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

The Wallis CBA is the result of many years of dialogue with the management at the venue. “I want to thank Local 47 member Dan Savant for his help in arriving at this deal along with Business Rep Michael Ankney, who maintained a good working relationship with the venue’s operations team,” says AFM Local 47 President John Acosta. Continue reading →

Greek Theatre New Manager SMG Commits to 100% AFM

greek-top-logo

Venue management firm SMG won the long and contentious battle over who will run the Greek Theatre, and takes over operations of the historic Griffith Park venue Nov. 1.

For the past four decades AEG/Nederlander managed the historic Griffith Park venue with an AFM agreement in place, and there was concern that new management would not guarantee a union contract. However, Rec and Parks General Manager Michael Shull was fully committed to securing an AFM contract for all performances at the Greek. Thanks to his efforts and Local 47 President John Acosta, SMG happily agreed to continue the union’s longstanding partnership with the venue. They signed a collective bargaining agreement that guarantees 100% of the music at the Greek is AFM over the next two years. Continue reading →

‘Carrie: The Killer Musical Experience’ Musicians Land Killer Contract

carrie-300x175Just in time for the Halloween season, “Carrie: The Killer Musical Experience” landed at the Los Angeles Theatre in early October. Music Director Brian P. Kennedy worked tirelessly with Live Business Rep Michael Ankney to ensure this production signed onto a collective bargaining agreement with Local 47 to guarantee all the musicians received the fair wages, benefits and protections afforded by a union contract. Continue reading →