Negotiations on a new contract with the major recording companies including Hollywood (Disney), Sony, Universal, and Warner began today. The current Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) expired in February 2015 and has been extended while negotiations are in progress.

The SRLA sets minimum wage scales and working conditions for audio recordings—both studio sessions and live performances. The negotiating team, comprised of recording musicians and our union’s leadership, has had extensive meetings to set priorities and develop proposals to help secure a stronger contract. 

As music consumption rapidly shifts from CDs and downloads to streaming, we are committed to negotiating new funding sources from the recording industry for the Sound Recording Special Payments Fund and the Music Performance Trust Fund in this round of negotiations. 

Once the negotiating team reaches an agreement with the companies, musicians who work under the agreement will receive the contract proposal for review and then vote on the contract.