Organizing Department Gets Out the Vote

November 1, 2024

IM  -  

by Gabe Kristal, AFM Director of Organizing

Though many members will receive their copy of International Musician after the election results are in, we wanted to highlight the importance of voting and our efforts, right up to the last minute, to help ensure we get out the vote.

The AFM understands the 2024 presidential election is the most important election in memory. The Biden-Harris administration saw greater improvements in worker rights, particularly for union organizing, than we’ve seen in decades.

Specifically, the rule changes at the National Labor Relations Board have improved the process for workers to organize. This has led to a storybook organizing year for the AFM, from community theaters to symphonies. This is why the AFM Organizing Division has been working with the National Legislative Office to maximize AFM members’ involvement in get out the vote (GOTV) operations.

AFM organizers have been reaching out to statewide political directors in swing states to provide opportunities for local leaders to engage their members in volunteer shifts where they can be most helpful. In California, Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) members have been doing Nevada phone banks and are taking a bus to Las Vegas. Local 802 (New York City) mobilized with Actors’ Equity Association to take part in the AFL-CIO’s union member-to-union member phone bank, making 40,000 calls in under two hours.

Our recent organizing successes with Arden Theatre and Media Theatres in Pennsylvania have inspired greater member involvement. AFM Organizer Gabriel Feldman-Schwartz has been helping local leaders at Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA) to coordinate these efforts.

During a visit to meet with the membership and organizing committee of True Concord Voices and Orchestra in Tucson, Arizona, which is organizing for representation, AFM Field Organizer Claire Park coordinated with the Central Labor Council to phone-bank Arizona union members.

Through our member mobilization efforts, we are demonstrating to our employers and our union siblings that the AFM is united in the labor movement. When we fight, we win!

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