Dear Friends and Colleagues in the Entertainment Industry,

My thoughts are with those whose lives have been upended by the recent wildfires in Southern California. Hundreds of our own AFM Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) members reside in the affected communities, and each day, we hear more stories of musicians who have lost their homes, instruments, and performance spaces.

As we work to rebuild homes and livelihoods, industry workers are increasingly concerned that jobs may move to other states or overseas.  Via petitions and open letters, we have seen a number of public expressions of need and hope. The AFM continues to do everything in our power to respond to this extraordinary time.

I look forward to sharing more about the steps we are taking to work more closely with our fellow arts and entertainment unions to keep union jobs in California. California taxpayers are supporting our industries, so all work should take place in the state.

We cannot maintain local production by employing anti-union tactics that undermine our solidarity. Criticisms of the protections we secured through bargaining are a tactic to divide us and lower our standards.

Members of several unions have made significant sacrifices to begin to level the playing field in Hollywood. We are proud of that work and the agreements that followed. We must stand united to honor our labor and our contracts.

Sincerely,

Tino Gagliardi, AFM International President