Negotiations with Studios Begin the New Year and Unite Hollywood Entertainment Unions

February 1, 2024

Tina Morrison  -  International Executive Board Member and President of Local 105 (Spokane, WA)

I’m hopeful that many of our members have followed the ongoing AFM Fair Share for Musicans campaign on social media and the AFMfairshareformusicians.org website over the last few weeks.

In advance of our scheduled negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), AFM members organized a kick-off rally and press conference on January 22 at AMPTP headquarters in Sherman Oaks, California. (See news article.)

We were encouraged by a strong show of union solidarity: musicians alongside members of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, SAG-AFTRA, Writers Guild of America West, Teamsters, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), and more.

Last year’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and groundbreaking contracts that followed, launched a new era of solidarity and recognition for the artists who drive the film and television industry. Their victories and support help leverage our own fight for a fair musician contract with AMPTP.

The stark reality is that musicians have been left behind, their talent undervalued in this industry. Meanwhile, the economics of the industry have undergone a seismic shift with the rise of streaming. Residuals are no longer a reliable source of income and the wages of musicians have not kept pace with the cost of living, especially in the hubs of our industry.

In addition to residuals from streaming, we need protection from artificial intelligence. We must put safeguards in place so that our music is not treated as a commodity to be replicated. Musicians deserve the respect and dignity of safe working conditions, health care contributions, and living wages. We will continue to insist the AMPTP meets these demands.

From musicians who weave magic into films and television to writers crafting screenplays, technicians lighting the sets, and Teamsters who drive the trucks, each talent contributes to film and television productions. Their individual efforts are amplified when they stand together, forming a united front that benefits the entire ecosystem. This united front transcends individual guilds, allowing actors, writers, musicians, and crew to realize their shared interests for better wages, safer work environments, and fairer residuals.

Several IATSE crew and Teamsters motion picture division contracts are set to expire in 2024, and we will stand with them. The advantage of this type of solidarity goes beyond negotiations. Together, we are a powerful force for good—communicating with members, getting our message out to the public, and tackling wider industry challenges like fairness, equity, and inclusion. Standing together, we can advocate for reforms and regulations that benefit all of our workplaces.

I hope you will take the time to demonstrate your support as well to help build our leverage for our own fair contract. The more voices who join in, the louder and clearer our message will resonate. Visit the AFMFairShairforMusicians.org website and follow @afmfairshareformusicians on social media for updates on negotiations.

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