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New Union Chief Tackles AI & Ticket Scams
16 Jan
Summary
- New president Dan Point leads musicians' union Local 802.
- Union narrowly averted a strike, securing better healthcare and wages.
- Point prioritizes AI in music and affordable ticketing with city officials.
Dan Point officially took the helm of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 on January 1, 2026, serving the remainder of the term through 2027. His appointment follows a period of intense contract negotiations that brought Broadway musicians to the brink of a strike in late 2025. The union successfully averted a work stoppage, achieving key gains in healthcare contributions and wage increases after contentious talks.
Point, a former French horn player with a background in political campaigns, is now setting his sights on future challenges. A major focus will be navigating the complexities of artificial intelligence in the music industry, particularly in recorded music and streaming. Local 802, alongside other AFM chapters, will negotiate with record labels to ensure musicians have control over AI training and compensation.
Furthermore, Point plans to collaborate with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on critical urban issues. These include addressing the affordability crisis and enhancing consumer protections related to ticketing, such as banning speculative ticketing and promoting price transparency. The union also aims to rebuild its membership, which saw a decline during the pandemic.
