Officer Columns

What’s in a Family?

September 2, 2014

The answer to that is plenty! Our union, like most families, is not perfect; it is within that imperfection that we usually are able to work out some of our issues and grow. If this is true about biological families, it is also true of our AFM family.

NLRB to Issue Complaint Against Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in the Absence of Settlement

September 2, 2014

by Jennifer Garner, AFM Counsel On March 14, I filed a charge against the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with Region 18 of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging unlawful interference with the administration of a labor organization.

Games the Employers (and Agents) Play

September 1, 2014

Even before it received rank-and-file approval late last month, the AFM’s new Video Game Agreement was already in use in Los Angeles, despite a crusade against it by an assortment of Hollywood employers and composers who were offended two years ago when the International Executive Board jettisoned a 2006 agreement because it contained inferior wages […]

2014 TMA Conference Welcomes Its Newest Chapters

September 1, 2014

The 19th Annual Theatre Musicians Association (TMA) Conference was held at the Holiday Inn, Fort Worth, Texas, August 11-12. TMA Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter President and Local 72-147 (Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX) member Brian Brown, Local 72-147 Secretary-Treasurer Stewart Williams, and myself welcomed the attendees.

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 […]

Musician Board Members: Is the Grass Always Greener on the Other Side?

August 1, 2014

by Barbara Owens, AFM SSD Field Services Representative, Midwest Territory, and Negotiator As musicians, we often lead with our emotions, whether or not we are playing our instruments. We are emotionally invested in all aspects of our musical lives, and that investment often motivates us to take on additional tasks and challenges. Unfortunately, sometimes we can […]

AFM Testimony on African Ivory Ban

August 1, 2014

As you may know, the actions of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in implementing a ban on the commercial trade in African elephant ivory have imposed severe restrictions on our members who regularly perform internationally with instruments that lawfully contain small amounts of elephant ivory. A USFWS order originally issued February 25, […]

Right to Work for Less

August 1, 2014

As I review the benefits we provide our members I am reminded that nonmembers in certain states are enjoying the same benefits due to the right to work for less. A collective agreement that provides health benefits, pension, and a living wage all are received by the freeloading nonmembers who refuse to pay their fair share. Your stand […]

Update on Low Budget Film Agreements

July 18, 2014

by Matt Allen, AFM EMSD Theatrical-Film/TV-Film Contracts Administrator Many of the independent producers who score their films under AFM agreements utilize the low budget scales provided for in the AFM Basic Theatrical Motion Picture Agreement. These affordable scales allow composers to hire more musicians on scoring dates, without breaking the film’s music budget. There are […]

Limited-Edition Historical Soundtrack Agreement

July 17, 2014

by Andie Childs, AFM EMSD Clips and Soundtracks Administrator Film and television scores represent some of the finest orchestral music of the modern era. Works such as Bernard Herrmann’s North by Northwest, Elmer Bernstein’s rousing Western scores like The Magnificent Seven, or Henry Mancini’s lovely music for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, provide immense listening pleasure, apart […]