AFM Conferences: The Importance of Working Together to Address Challenges

November 1, 2024

Tino Gagliardi  -  AFM International President

One of the many satisfying elements of my position in our union is the opportunity to meet every year with the officers of the various regional local conferences and officers and delegates of the player conferences. We just concluded another conference season. I want to bring attention to our conferences because they are important to our structure. They facilitate communication and provide an opportunity to share experiences with each other.

We live in an ever changing and evolving industry. It is critical that we speak with one voice to gain the leverage we need to overcome difficulties in the workplace, whether through collective bargaining or political action. The conference season is a chance for the union to report on internal issues, such as staffing needs and administrative changes.

Local and player conferences bring to light external issues that affect us and need to be addressed. This year was important for discussions of sexual misconduct in the workplace as well as the need for a more robust system of reporting egregious activity and better education programs to help meet the challenges we face as musicians.

There is no shortage of challenges, and one of the many ways we address them is through political action, whether on Capitol Hill or in Ottawa. One important issue is the ability of our Canadian members to cross the border to perform. Musicians are losing work, and venues are losing revenue, hurting all our communities. The strongest way we can address this problem is by taking advantage of the leverage we have: one union, two countries. We will coordinate our political pressure in the US and Canada by standing together as one union. Together, we can succeed.

Another critical issue is the two letters that have become anathema to the human creative process—AI, or artificial intelligence. We need unity to combat this threat. We cannot stand by and let our sound and style be stolen and used for the creation of artificial musical expression. This will require collaboration on the local, state, provincial, and federal levels. Working together, we can use our strength to influence legislative activity that will protect the rights of all performers and creators.

The AFM can be a clearinghouse of information for addressing these issues, but only if we band together with communication and resource sharing. Together, we can be the union we deserve to be and have the strength to make the changes to protect us for generations to come.

We are on the verge of electing a new US president. The American labor movement and our union depend on the outcome of this election. I want to encourage all of you to participate in the election and vote like your life depends on it because it does.

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AFM Members Providing Aid: Emergency Relief Fund

As we go to press, some of our colleagues have been devastated by severe weather patterns. My heart goes out to the musicians and their communities affected by recent hurricanes that hit Florida and the southern states in rapid succession. As we continue to experience the real effects of climate change, large wildfires, tornadoes, and severe storms are becoming more common. The destruction they cause is sobering.

Each year, many of our musicians lose their homes, instruments, and livelihood because of natural disasters. During these times of crisis, it is more important than ever to come together and support our fellow members in need.

If you are able, I am asking for your solidarity, compassion, and generous contributions to help other musicians recover from disasters. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference and help provide much-needed support to those facing these crises.

On our AFM Emergency Assistance webpage (afm.org/emergency-assistance), you may donate to the AFM Emergency Relief Fund. If you prefer to donate by check, make it payable to “AFM Emergency Relief Fund” and send by mail to: American Federation of Musicians; 1501 Broadway, Ninth Floor; New York, NY 10036.

For those who need help, you can download an AFM Emergency Relief application and find other helpful resources for times of crisis on the Emergency Assistance webpage.

I am proud of how our members demonstrate support and solidarity toward each other in times of crisis. It is gratifying to see the generosity of our membership and the empathy they show for their fellow musicians impacted by these disasters. Thanks to all who have already donated.

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