Songtradr, Epic Games respond to Bandcamp Union concerns [UPDATED]

UPDATE: Epic Games has joined Songtradr in responding to a letter from the Bandcamp United union expressing employee concerns after it was announced earlier this week that Epic Games had sold Bandcamp to the music licensing platform.

The Union letter called for “employment offers for all workers; clear, consistent, and equitable voluntary severance offers; and recognition of their union at Songtradr with a speedy continuation to bargaining.”

Songtradr responded to severance concerns:

“Those that don’t receive offers within the next few weeks will receive severance from Epic as part of their layoffs as communicated on September 28th.”

An Epic Games spokesperson reached out with this release on layoffs and severance packages at Epic and confirmed that it will also apply to Bandcamp staff:

“We’re offering a severance package that includes six months base pay and in the US/Canada/Brazil six months of Epic-paid healthcare. We’re offering to accelerate people’s stock option vesting schedule through the end of 2024 and are giving two additional years from today to exercise the options. In the US we’re also offering to vest any unearned profit sharing from their 401k. And we’ll provide benefits, including career transition services and visa support where we can.”

Earlier today, Songtradr issued a statement acknowledging that there will be downsizing at Bandcamp “to ensure a sustainable and healthy company” and that Epic would provide severance for those who were laid off.

The new owners also said that they intend to continue existing Bandcamp services, including Bandcamp Fridays, Bandcamp Daily, and its artist-first revenue share. The next Bandcamp Friday is tomorrow, October 5th.

The full statement from Songtradr

“We have received Bandcamp United’s letter and are reviewing it. Supporting the Bandcamp community will be our number one priority once the purchase is completed.

Songtradr does not own or control Bandcamp yet. We are in the process of acquiring Bandcamp from Epic Games, and we expect the transaction to close within the next few weeks. Epic has committed to running Bandcamp Friday as planned and will ensure Bandcamp can continue to operate and support artists through this transition.

Not all Bandcamp employees will receive offers from Songtradr. Based on its current financials, Bandcamp requires some adjustments to ensure a sustainable and healthy company that can serve its community of artists and fans long into the future. Those that don’t receive offers within the next few weeks will receive severance from Epic as part of their layoffs as communicated on September 28th. 

We will work towards a fair and equitable outcome for the global members of the Bandcamp team.

Songtradr is planning to keep all the existing Bandcamp services that fans and artists love including Bandcamp Friday’s, Bandcamp Daily and  its artist-first revenue share.”

MORE: As layoffs begin, Bandcamp union launches petition demanding Songtrust recognition

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a Berklee College Of Music professor.