Union of Musicians and Allied Workers organise protests at Spotify offices around the world

The Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) organised socially-distanced demonstrations around the world yesterday, March 15 – calling on Spotify to deliver increased royalty payments and increased transparency.

The protests took place outside Spotify's various offices, located in cities across the globe.

In a statement, UMAW organiser Mary Regalado (a member of Downtown Boys and Gauche), claimed that Spotify "has tripled in value during the pandemic, while failing to increase its payment rates to artists by even a fraction of penny."

"Musicians all over the world are unemployed right now while the tech giants dominating the industry take in billions," she continued. "Music work is labor, and we are asking to be paid fairly for that labor.”

Back in October, the UMAW launched their 'Justice At Spotify' campaign – asking for Spotify to pay artists "at least one cent per stream"; "adopt a user-centric payment model"; "make all closed-door contracts public"; "reveal existing payola, then end it altogether"; "credit all labour in recordings"; and "end legal battles intended to further impoverish artists". Their petition has been signed by nearly 27,600 artists.

Take a look at some of the protests held as part of the 'Justice at Spotify Day of Action' below:

Boston demands #JusticeAtSpotify (in 10 degree F freezing cold) pic.twitter.com/oWKy0eAeJt

— Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (@UMAW_) March 16, 2021

Frankfurt, Germany demands #JusticeAtSpotify pic.twitter.com/Wo33RcGj7k

— Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (@UMAW_) March 15, 2021

"Musicians united will never be divided!"
Los Angeles demands #JusticeAtSpotify pic.twitter.com/MSEY2zg7La

— Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (@UMAW_) March 15, 2021

Marching in NYC for #JusticeAtSpotify thank you @MusicWorkers for co-sponsoring and providing the soundtrack pic.twitter.com/8PZsQbh1v8

— Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (@UMAW_) March 15, 2021

Madrid! #JusticeAtSpotify @unionmusicasCNT @FrentePop pic.twitter.com/UvaVmv5nke

— Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (@UMAW_) March 15, 2021

Our brave Chicago chapter out in the snow and cold to demand #JusticeAtSpotify @UMAWChicago pic.twitter.com/d6HttRfnmz

— Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (@UMAW_) March 15, 2021

Melbourne, Australia kicking off our March 15 international Day of Action for Justice at Spotify! pic.twitter.com/Jek3n3cmgm

— Union of Musicians and Allied Workers (@UMAW_) March 15, 2021