American Federation of Musicians

Musician Unions Hit with Federal Lawsuit for Blacklisting Nonunion Orchestra Musicians

Will Collins — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:18:13 -0400

American Federation of Musicians (AFM) union bosses have a troubled history of intimidating nonmember musicians. Now the Foundation is suing several local affiliates in California to prevent future instances of union discrimination. Here's an excerpt from our latest press release:

New Video: Right to Work Report Spotlights Hollywood Forced Unionism Abuse

Justin Hakes — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:28:50 -0500

National Right to Work Foundation President Mark Mix details the Foundation's efforts to help Sai Ly Acosta and other musicians in Hollywood after union officials indicated they would be arrested for showing up for rehearsal.

Musicians Make Hollywood Union Officials Face the Music

John Powell — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 10:54:37 -0400

Film score violinist Sai-Ly Acosta and her fellow musicians fought back last week against an ugly campaign of union intimidation.

After Sai-Ly filed federal charges with help from National Right to Work attorneys, union officials immediately backed off from their threats to have dissenting musicians arrested and the musicians were allowed to rehearse with the orchestra for the time being.

However, other eyewitnesses said that union operatives posted signs throughout the building that read “Full Members Only,” and union operatives have harassed and intimidated the dissenting musicians, calling them “scabs.”

One musician even held there were so many of the signs posted in the building that she was surprised that there wasn’t a separate bathroom for those who exercised their Beck rights.