Earlier this month, 75 percent of film and television Music Supervisors signed union authorization cards to form a union and become part of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), only for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to indicate they will not voluntarily recognize it.
In an update to that developing story, a new petition for the AMPTP to recognize the Music Supervisors Union has amassed nearly 10,000 signatures in 24 hours on ActionNetwork.org. The current goal calls for 12,800 signatures, so Music Supes are still more than 3,200 away, but still, that’s a lot of people for the AMPTP to simply ignore. The solidarity petition is open to film and TV Music Supervisors and all member and non-member allies.
Music Supervisors are responsible for curating, securing/negotiating licensing for, and coordinating the use or creation of recorded music in service of a director’s or showrunner’s vision and budget. Music Supervisors facilitate some of the most beloved moments in film and television, but responsibilities have expanded, conditions have deteriorated, and pay has been stagnant and does not reflect the cultural impact of their work.
Music Supervisors have joined together to:
- Be treated fairly and equitably compared to their unionized co-workers
- Gain access to Industry Healthcare and Retirement plans
- Standardize Pay Rates to tamp down on discrimination and pay disparities
- Address structures that enable studios to delay workers’ pay for months at a time
- Have a seat at the table to negotiate with employers in good faith
- Win an enforceable and codified union contract.
“Every worker deserves to have rights and a voice in the workplace, regardless of how your employer values your work. The workers have spoken, and the AMPTP should respect its workers and democracy by voluntarily recognizing Music Supervisors’ union immediately,” said IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb.
IATSE represents over 160,000 technicians, artisans, and craftspersons in the entertainment industry, including live events, motion picture and television production, broadcast, and trade shows in the United States and Canada. The org has asked people to show their support for the workers who make music in film and TV possible by following @MusicNeedsSupes.
The actual text of the petition that people are being asked to sign is below, and you can add your name here if you wish:
To: The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP)
From: [Your Name]
Every worker deserves to have rights and a voice in the workplace. I stand with Film and TV Music Supervisors, who have demonstrated majority support to join together in union. The workers have spoken, and I urgently demand you voluntarily recognize their union and begin negotiating with them in good faith.
