Statement of Support for AFM Detroit Musicians from AFTRA Detroit President Jayne Bower

DETROIT (Feb. 23, 2011) – The Detroit Local of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO (AFTRA), today released the following statement from Detroit Local President Jayne Bower, supporting embattled local American Federation of Musicians members who have been on strike for more than 20 weeks in an effort to secure a successor agreement with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra:

The members of the AFTRA Detroit Local, AFL-CIO, are proud to stand in solidarity our AFM brothers and sisters who perform in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. These Detroit-area professional musicians provide our city -- and the world -- with quality music that enriches both our culture and our economy. AFTRA Detroit members whole-heartedly support their efforts to negotiate a fair contract with the Symphony, so that AFM musicians may continue to provide audiences with the world-class performances they have come to cherish and expect from the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

I encourage all AFTRA members and the public to please visit both the Musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra website at http://www.detroitsymphonymusicians.org/ and the AFM Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/afm.org for more information and to leave or sign a statement of support.

In Solidarity,

Jayne Bower
AFTRA Detroit President

About AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, broadcasters, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society.