American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada International President Tino Gagliardi on the Washington National Opera Board’s vote: “Tonight, as the Washington National Opera (WNO) Board has voted to end its affiliation with the Kennedy Center, my focus is on supporting the Washington National Opera Orchestra. I fully expect the WNO to […]
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! May your holidays be bright and your New Year even brighter! The AFM offices will be closed Dec 24-26 and Dec 31-Jan 1.Please expect a delay in replies as our team enjoys the break. We will get back to you as quickly as possible upon our return.Happy Holidays! From the American Federation of […]
For the labor movement and for people of all stripes, 2025 has been fraught with historic challenges. Workers across both the US and Canada have demonstrated resilience and strength in the face of unprecedented attacks on labor. Despite challenges, the AFM and other unions celebrated remarkable wins in 2025. Read More https://internationalmusician.org/2025-year-in-review/
The “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence” Executive Order directs the Trump Administration to work with Congress to “…ensure that children are protected, censorship is prevented, copyrights are respected, and communities are safeguarded.” What follows is incongruous with that premise. This EO is nothing more than a rehashing of a deeply unpopular and […]
On Tuesday, December 9, we saw clear support from the Senators on the Intellectual Property Subcommittee for the American Music Fairness Act (AMFA). Our opposition had no effective response to our call for fair compensation when our work is played on AM/FM radio. This hearing was an important step in a long process. From here, […]
The AFM is saddened by the passing of Cleto Escobedo III, bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live! For over two decades, Cleto and his band — which notably includes his father, Cleto Jr.— provided the late-night soundtrack to millions of homes. His musical genius and lifelong friendship with Jimmy created a […]
We stand in solidarity with the Kennedy Center Arts Workers United and the union actors, dancers, singers, musicians, stage managers, and behind-the-scenes workers who earn a living at the Kennedy Center. Proud members of Actors’ Equity Association, AFM – American Federation of Musicians, American Guild of Musical Artists , and IATSE.
On behalf of the American Federation of Musicians, we thank the International Federation of Musicians (FIM) for their letter of support and commitment to solidarity with the professional musicians of AFM Local 802 in New York. FIM’s willingness to stand with us shows that the fight for dignity, fair wages, and secure working conditions for […]
American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada President Tino Gagliardi issued the following statement in response to ABC taking Jimmy Kimmel Live!, which employs musicians from Local 47 in Los Angeles, off the air: “This is not complicated: Trump’s FCC identified speech it did not like and threatened ABC with extreme reprisals. […]
Dear AFM Member, We celebrate Labor Day because musicians and other workers joined together to demand better working conditions. Our work in the labor movement has become exponentially more challenging. We face a continuously evolving landscape, with new technologies, economic pressures, and political challenges that threaten the rights and security of workers. “Workers deserve the […]