Building Global Connections, Championing State-Level Advocacy

April 1, 2025

Tino A. Gagliardi  -  Theatre, Touring, and Booking Division Director

In a significant step toward bolstering international solidarity, the AFM hosted UK Musicians’ Union (MU) General Secretary Naomi Pohl and MU Head of International Services Dave Webster at our Times Square headquarters in late February. The MU represents over 36,000 musicians across the United Kingdom. As many of you know, the AFM has a long history of working with the MU, particularly within the theater, motion picture, and sound recording industries. Through our joint participation in the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), we also work closely together on issues that affect professional musicians everywhere.

The visit recharged our long-standing collaborative relationship. Our discussions centered on finding common ground in navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of the music industry. Much of our conversation explored strategies for protecting our members’ rights in the face of generative AI. This includes the deficiency of streaming revenue, and the importance of copyright protections that safeguard musicians’ intellectual property that is based on the human creative process. We discussed the challenges UK musicians encounter when traveling to the US for performances, especially in the current political climate, which is also hurting our Canadian members.

Additionally, we explored the contrasting models of orchestral funding, noting the UK’s government support system compared to the US system, which depends heavily on endowments, grants, and ticket sales. This comparison allowed us to share insights and explore potential avenues for mutual support and advocacy.

MU General Secretary Pohl stated, “Our visit to the AFM in New York was so valuable to the British Musicians’ Union. So many of our members’ issues are crossing the border, fighting for a fair deal from new technologies and artificial intelligence, seeking equality and promoting diversity in workplaces, preventing sexual harassment, and bargaining for improved pay and conditions. We have so much in common, and working together gives us more power.”

Webster added, “Having met with AFM representatives from the United States and Canada at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Montreal, it was an added bonus to spend a couple of days with President Gagliardi and his colleagues in New York City. We talked at length on issues of shared concerns and cemented a long-standing friendship between our two unions. There is so much we can learn from each other in our shared fight to support our members.”

These sentiments underscore the importance of international solidarity and the power of collective action. In a demonstration of the deepening partnership, I have been invited to attend the MU’s biannual Delegates Congress, scheduled to take place in Liverpool, England, in July. This invitation provides an opportunity to witness the MU’s membership and policymaking processes firsthand, further solidifying the bonds between the two organizations. I am committed to continuing this vital dialogue with the Musicians’ Union, working together to safeguard the rights and livelihoods of musicians worldwide.

New York State Film Production Tax Credit

Recently, I had the honor of meeting face-to-face with New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) regarding our ongoing efforts to secure meaningful participation for musicians in the New York State Film and Television Tax Credit. As many of you know, this has been a passion project of mine since becoming president of Local 802 (New York City) in 2010. Much like our efforts with the California Entertainment Union Coalition, I am working to ensure New York’s tax credit truly benefits all creative workers.

My conversation with Hochul was productive and encouraging. I emphasized the unique contributions our musicians bring to every production, enhancing its artistic integrity and emotional impact. I stressed the need for policies that specifically recognize and incentivize the employment of AFM scoring musicians. This is a critical step forward, a testament to our collective advocacy and persistent efforts.

While the promise of increased production and subsequent employment opportunities was initially enticing, the reality could continue to fall far short of our expectations. However, I remain optimistic. We’ve made significant strides by successfully including our key initiatives in the Senate One-House draft budget. We must ensure that the tax credit program truly benefits all facets of the New York State creative economy, including AFM scoring musicians.

Live TV Videotape Agreement

Following three rounds of negotiations, a tentative successor Videotape Agreement was achieved on February 28, delivering substantial benefits to its members. The proposed three-year contract includes:

•Wage increases of 5% in the first year, 4% in the second, and 3% in the third.

•$5 increases in the Health & Welfare (H&W) day rate contribution in each successive year, plus a new 2% of wages H&W contribution on residuals (subject to a cap).

•Work dues checkoff on original session work, allowing dues to be deducted from wage payments, which should streamline this payment for all parties including musicians and locals.

•Addition of a Grievance & Arbitration procedure.

•Changes in the new media side-letters to bring components in line with other unions and guilds, including excerpt use language that aligns with a provision bargained by our colleagues at Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), made for new media coverage matching what was achieved by the Directors Guild of America in 2023, and an increase in the percentage residual for shows that are streamed on Advertised Video on Demand (AVOD).

•Protections in generative artificial intelligence that support what was bargained with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP).

We will be sending out the ratification details soon.

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