Officer Columns

East Coast Meets West Coast

July 11, 2014

by Maria Warner-Dowrich, AFM EMSD East Coast Office Contract Adminstrator Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” —Helen Keller Being a newcomer to the AFM Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD), and a part of the everyday ins and outs of that environment, has given me a new and intense perspective […]

40-Year Perspective on Electronic Media at the AFM

July 10, 2014

Electronic Media at the AFM by Patrick M. Varriale, AFM EMSD Assistant Director In October, I will be celebrating my 40th anniversary at the AFM—all in the Recording Department/Electronic Media Services Division. It’s been a long journey, yet in so many ways, it doesn’t feel nearly that long ago that I answered a simple newspaper […]

AFM: New Answers for Old Questions

July 9, 2014

by Wiliam F. Thomas, AFM EMSD Director and Assistant to the President Welcome to the July 2014 edition of International Musician! In addition to being my first article for this esteemed publication, the July IM also marks the return of more regular coverage of the Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD) in the publication. From our […]

RMA Represents AFM’s Recording Musicians, a Year in Review

July 7, 2014

by Marc Sazer, President Recording Musicians Association (RMA) and Member of Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) We have been involved in a variety of efforts to advance the interests of AFM recording musicians over the course of this year. Looking back, it is difficult to know where to begin. The Recording Musicians Association (RMA) participated […]

Department of Professional Employees (DPE) and the AFM

July 6, 2014

The AFM belongs to the Department of Professional Employees (DPE). The DPE is part of the AFL-CIO and represents professional and technical unions. While the basic tenants of unionism are collective bargaining and we are all governed by Taft-Hartley, the professional technical unions such as the AFM, the National Football League, SAG-AFTRA, Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), the American […]

Grievance and Arbitration: Powerful Tools for the Workplace

July 5, 2014

by Joe Parente, AFM International Executive Board Member and President of Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA) Grievance and arbitration are powerful tools for defending a member in the workplace. Most collective bargaining agreements contain a grievance and arbitration provision. For the most part, these provisions come into play when there is a dismissal, either for “just […]

Jingles, Games, Relocation and Symphonic Media

July 1, 2014

As you know, much of my time this year has been consumed by negotiations toward agreements covering the services of our union members when recording commercial spot announcements (jingles), video games, and in symphonic electronic media. At the same time, I have been busy evaluating options for the relocation of Federation headquarters when our existing […]

More is Better When it Comes to Membership

June 17, 2014

Let’s talk about membership. I’m often asked, “Why should I be a member of the musicians’ union?” I’ve probably made the answer too complicated. My mind races through all of the different things that the local is working on, and then all of the things the union is doing, and try to tailor my answer […]

Carroll Bailey: A Teacher Remembered

June 12, 2014

A few evenings ago, I left the stage after Mahler’s Third Symphony and found a message waiting for me with the news that Carroll Bailey, Sr., a former member of Local 125 (Norfolk, VA), had died at age 91. I could not help but slump in tears.

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.