Service + Solidarity Spotlight: AFM Members File Unfair Labor Practices Against Fort Worth Theater

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

Broadway’s “Matilda the Musical” had its debut performance last Friday at Casa Mañana, a live arts venue in Fort Worth, Texas. But, instead of having live musicians perform in the orchestra pit, producers are using a prerecorded soundtrack in violation of their contract with the Dallas/Fort Worth Professional Musicians Association-AFM Local 72-147. In response, the union filed an unfair labor practice complaint against Casa Mañana.

“What is unprecedented here is that a main stage production at Casa doesn’t have live music. Historically, they have always had live music. That is why this is unprecedented as our contract has always provided for an orchestra,” Local 72-147 President Stewart Williams explained to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.