Fighting for Justice: Using Our Collective Voice

March 1, 2026

Tino Gagliardi  -  AFM International President

March finds our union at a critical crossroads, balancing the intense technical work of contract negotiations with the moral imperative to protect our members’ safety. While our instruments are our primary tools, our collective voice as a union remains our most essential asset during times of industrywide transition and social unrest.

Our core mission of securing the future of our members’ music remains at the forefront. Negotiations for the Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SLRA) and the Integrated Media Agreement (IMA) continue strong this month. These contracts are the bedrock of our recording musicians’ careers, and we are committed to securing terms that reflect the true value of your work in a shifting marketplace.

The Grammys was an opportunity to celebrate the year in music and to strategize with industry leaders and policymakers on the year ahead. I spent time with members of Congress including Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) and Linda Sanchez (D-CA). They each bring personal interest and professional expertise that will continue to be important for the AFM’s legislative agenda. We talked about the importance of film and television tax incentives, putting musicians to work here in the United States, and the safeguards needed to protect creators’ rights. I will look for every opportunity to fight for consent, credit, and compensation in AI development.

A Demand for Accountability

Our advocacy for musicians also means advocating for their safety. As a union, our responsibility has always extended beyond the bargaining table. We have a fundamental duty to stand up for the safety and civil liberties of every person in our community. Recent United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations blatantly ignore basic civil rights, injecting fear into the lives of working people—immigrants, legal residents, and US citizens alike. In times of crisis, belonging to a union makes us powerful.

In January, I issued the following statement regarding the escalating violence and federal enforcement actions in Minneapolis:

“The American Federation of Musicians of the US and Canada is outraged and heartbroken by the senseless violence and growing atmosphere of fear gripping the city of Minneapolis. Our hearts go out to the families of Renée Nicole Good, a young mother and poet whose life was tragically cut short, and Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a dedicated nurse and fellow union member who was killed while serving his community. These are not just isolated incidents; they are the devastating consequences of a federal operation that has prioritized aggressive force over residents’ safety and civil liberties. We stand in solidarity with protesters exercising their First Amendment rights to demand justice and transparency. The outcry is not contained to the Twin Cities—throughout the entire country, Americans are peacefully and powerfully demanding an end to this chaos. The AFM joins the broader labor movement and local leaders in demanding a comprehensive and transparent investigation … to ensure full accountability.”

We can see the ripple effects of this fear across our entire Federation. In Los Angeles, Local 47 member Beth Elliott, founder of the Kadima Conservatory of Music, shared heartbreaking stories of how ICE operations are dismantling the lives of young musicians. Elliott has seen 11-year-old scholarship students—prodigies who should be focused on their craft—forced to miss lessons because their parents are “laying low” to avoid being detained. When a child is afraid to go to a violin lesson, the fabric of our society is being torn. We must continue to demand transparency and an end to the chaos that puts our neighbors and colleagues at risk. Together, we provide a strong voice for those being silenced by intimidation.

In these dark times, music remains our most potent tool for healing. I am profoundly heartened by the resilience shown by our Local 30-73 (St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN) community. In the face of tragedy, our musicians have turned to their instruments to provide the city with a sanctuary. I am particularly moved by the poignant response to the tragedy by the Minnesota Orchestra, which revised its programming to open with Mahler’s Adagietto from Symphony No. 5—a somber and beautiful musical memorial for Pretti and Good. By replacing a lighter piece with this profound meditation, the orchestra offered a space to mourn and seek hope amidst the darkness. This follows their “Music and Healing” initiative, which explores how performance can help a community process trauma and find resilience.

Defending Artistic Expression

ICE operations aren’t just an immigration issue. This militarized presence near cultural and entertainment spaces stifles creativity and free expression. We saw the effect of political pressure and government intimidation earlier this year in the pulling of programs like Jimmy Kimmel Live. We stand with our fellow entertainment unions—SAG-AFTRA, IATSE, and the WGA—disavowing government interference in our industries.

The musicians of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra (KCOHO) and National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) are faced with tremendous uncertainty. The announced two-year temporary closing of the Kennedy Center has generated more questions than answers. (See article on page 3.) Regardless of what happens between now and July 4, the AFM will use all available resources to ensure the Kennedy Center honors its obligations to the KCOHO and NSO. I remain in regular contact with Local 161-710 (Washington, DC) President Ed Malaga to understand how our union can best support our members.

Pernambuco Update

Amidst these challenges to our artistic spaces, we have a significant victory to share regarding Pernambuco wood. This victory came together because the music community—including the League of American Orchestras, the AFM, instrument makers, and individual musicians—stood together as one.

By educating government officials on the distinction between the commercial timber trade and the finished bows that are the essential tools of our trade, we secured a workable compromise. The updates ensure that, while we support the conservation of the Brazilian rainforest, musicians can continue to travel and perform internationally without fear of their equipment being seized or held in bureaucratic limbo. This proves that when we speak with a unified voice, we can protect the heritage and the future of our craft. Further resources on these changes will be coming in the April IM.

The strength of a union is measured not just by the contracts we sign, but by the protection we offer our members when their livelihoods and safety are threatened. We will continue to fight for a world where our members can live, work, and create without fear. Our music is our voice, and right now, that voice must be used to demand peace and protection for all.

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