Tag Archives: organizing

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.”

AFM Local 47 member holds a "Musicians

Musicians Rally in Support of Stephen Colbert

On Sunday, July 27, 2025, dozens of members of AFM Local 47 and WGA West joined the 50501-hosted rally outside CBS headquarters at Television City in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles to support Stephen Colbert following the cancellation of his show. The bi-coastal event saw a similar action take place in New York on the same day. Continue reading →

Monday, Jan. 22: Musicians to Host Rally in L.A. Ahead First Contract Talks With AMPTP

**Event Will Happen Rain or Shine at 9 a.m. **

Los Angeles — On Monday, January 22 at 9 a.m, musicians of the American Federation of Musicians will host a press conference and rally in front of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) headquarters in Sherman Oaks, CA and host a rally ahead of the first day of contract negotiations.

AFM will be joined by members and representatives from SAG-AFTRA, the Teamsters, IATSE, WGA and the LA County Federation of Labor. Continue reading →

Musicians to Rally Jan. 22 to Demand Their Fair Share

In less than three weeks, musicians will begin bargaining with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for the motion picture and TV film contract.

Now it’s our turn to negotiate a fair and sustainable contract – just like our fellow unions WGA and SAG-AFTRA did.

On Monday, January 22, 2024, at 9 a.m., musicians will be marching in front of the AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks to take us directly into that day’s negotiations with a great wave of support from members and fellow union allies.

Click here to RSVP Continue reading →

Musicians Join Health Care Workers at Labor Day Rally

Health care workers marched and rallied in Los Feliz on Labor Day to draw attention to what organizers say are long patient wait times, missed diagnosis, neglect and chronic understaffing in patient care.

A group of AFM Local 47 members and leadership joined in the event which included appearances by many dignitaries, including California State Senator Maria Elena Durazo and U.S. Representative Katie Porter. Continue reading →

SoCal Labor Celebrates National Day of Solidarity

More than 20 AFM Local 47 musicians turned out to the Day of Solidarity march and rally outside of Disney Studios in Burbank on Aug. 22. Thousands of union members, labor leaders and community supporters gathered to deliver a singular message to the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on behalf of striking WGA/SAG-AFTRA members: “We are not backing down!”

Stephanie O’Keefe, President, AFM Local 47

AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe joined a stage full of labor and community leaders, and proud union members, to deliver a powerful speech to a crowd of thousands in support of striking writers and actors who are standing strong in their fight for a fair contract. Continue reading →

UPS Teamsters Authorize Strike, Rally in Downtown Los Angeles

 

UPS Teamsters rallied and picketed in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, just over a week before their contract with the shipping company is set to expire, raising the specter of a possible strike.

Among those in attendance were AFM Local 47 President Stephanie O’Keefe and Vice President Marc Sazer along with other members. Members of the Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America, which are both currently on strike, also attended the Teamsters event. Continue reading →

Musicians Join July 4th Hotel Workers’ March & Rally

Striking workers at dozens of Southern California hotels spent their Fourth of July on picket lines, joined by thousands of supporters. 

AFM Local 47 joined the march and rally in Santa Monica, demonstrating outside of several local hotels in support of workers workers pushing for higher wages and better health and retirement benefits.

The contract between the hotels and UNITE HERE Local 11, which represents 15,000 workers employed at major hotels, expired at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Workers officially walked off the job on Sunday.