AFM Statement for Writer's Guilds Decision not to Picket on Grammys

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 23, 2008

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Statement of the American Federation of Musiciansof the United States and Canada International President Thomas F. Lee on the Writers Guild of America’s Decision not to PicketT the Grammy Awards

"The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO, is pleased that the Writers Guild of America has decided not to picket the GRAMMY Awards, an event that serves as an important opportunity for our members to publicly celebrate their creative talents. The AFM, like the WGA, is committed to ensuring that our members are treated fairly, and is aggressively advocating on behalf of artists and musicians to receive fair compensation for their talents. We continue to support the WGA in its efforts to ensure that all creative artists receive fair compensation for their work in digital media."

About the AFM

Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. With more than 90,000 members, the AFM represents all types of professional musicians, including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape.