Officer Columns, Vice President from Canada

Canadian Boycott of Crown Cans

May 1, 2015

Members of United Steel Workers Local 9176 have been forced on strike for close to 18 months at Crown Holdings in Toronto, Ontario. Crown is one of the largest beverage and food can manufacturers in the world. Originally known as Crown, Cork & Seal, the company is headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and operates approximately 149 […]

99 Problems with the Music Industry

March 25, 2015

I recently ran across an article by Paul Resnicoff, entitled “99 Problems with the Music Industry,” and while written some months ago, it has an interesting perspective on the current state of affairs

New Business Model = Same Demons

February 25, 2015

Citing the unfair split of revenues and lack of artistic control, today’s musicians shun the ubiquitous control of yore by the “majors,” and desperately attempt to validate their music by declaring themselves an “indie.”

Standards Committee Finds Solutions for Locals

January 27, 2015

The Canadian Conference has always been an active, engaging and results-oriented event. The last two remained true to that legacy, as they spawned a special Standards Committee, comprised of Local 279 (London, ON) Secretary-Treasurer Ted Peacock; Local 384 (Brockville, ON) Vice President Pat Johnson; Local 591 (Thunder Bay, ON) Secretary-Treasurer Norm Slongo; Local 293 (Hamilton, ON) President Larry Feudo; and Local 547 (Calgary, AB) Secretary-Treasurer Chair Doug Kuss, who is committee chair.

CFM, a Year-in-Review

December 1, 2014

The year 2014 has been a turbulent one for the Canadian Federation of Musicians (CFM). However, to start on a positive, February saw the removal of rules about unionization votes from proposed Bill C-525. The deleted rules were completely biased against unions. At a December 2013 general meeting of Local 406 (Montreal, PQ), a motion […]

The Underachieving Tariff 8 and Other Scary Stuff

November 1, 2014

As consumers of music shift toward the “all you can eat” digital streaming services as the preferred platform, that should create more revenue for musicians, right? Musicians don’t need to be signed to a major label to distribute their recordings, and that means more airplay/streams and therefore more earnings, correct?  In a word, no.

Canadian Update: Local 145 Trusteeship Ends

October 1, 2014

AFM Local 145 (Vancouver, BC) has been removed from trusteeship and control of the AFM according to a September 11 BC Supreme Court ruling. The trusteeship and controversy began in June 2013, when it was discovered that Local 145 had entered into an agreement with the owner of Vancouver Film Orchestra (VFO) in relative secrecy, […]

CFM Moves Forward with a Full Dance Card

September 2, 2014

One year into this term of office, we look back on a year of internal conflict and turmoil on the Canadian scene. While continuing to look for the best solutions for all concerned, there is much work to be done, especially in the area of negotiations.

Understanding the New “Making Available Right”

August 1, 2014

At the June International Federation of Musicians (FIM) executive committee meetings, a central topic for discussion was streaming and the possibilities of properly monetizing this delivery system for musicians’ benefit. As the major labels and independents make deals with providers for access to their catalogues, compensation to the artist is all over the map in […]

Changes at the Canadian Labour Congress

June 5, 2014

The Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), Canada’s version of the AFL-CIO, representing 3.3 million unionized workers, held its 27th national convention May 5-9. It was the largest convention ever, with almost 5,000 delegates registered.