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Candidates Seeking Election for AFM Office

An important part of each AFM Convention is the nomination and election of international officers who will lead the organization during the next three years. Also elected are delegates to the AFL-CIO Convention. Article 19, Section 2 of the AFM Bylaws provides for the publication of campaign statements by those candidates who have declared their intent to run for office. No candidate is required to publish a statement and all candidates may at any time prior to nominations pursue an office other than the one identified below.

INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Raymond M. Hair, Jr., Local 72-147 (Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX)

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your president with this marvelous Unity Team. We’ve restored and maintained fiscal responsibility. We’re negotiating and enforcing smart, progressive agreements with openness, activism, and real unionism. Through governmental advocacy, we’ve protected musicians’ interests and improved their lives. We’ve opened doors and found new rights money for AFM members, who make the music the world wants to hear. Difficult problems resolve with teamwork and unity. We’ll preserve and protect our union and together we will keep it strong, because together, we can. We ask for your vote. We are a winning team.

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

Bruce Fife, Local 99 (Portland, OR) President

As your international vice president and member of the Unity Team, thank you for your trust, support, and confidence as we continue to embrace our many challenges, creating pathways for success. As a team, we face our challenges together, but each individual is also tasked with specific assignments. My critical charge had me crisscrossing our two countries, delivering a much-needed officer education program to local leaders. These trainings provide the foundation for rebuilding our membership and power of our great union, especially when combined with the accomplishments and ongoing commitments of the Unity Team. We ask for your vote.

VICE PRESIDENT FROM CANADA

Alan Willaert, Local 149 (Toronto, ON)

It has been an honour to serve as the AFM Vice President from Canada, and as a member of Team Unity. Canadian members and locals have many accomplishments to be proud of in terms of lobbying government for positive change and seeking out new employers to establish agreements with fair wages and benefits. The experience I have gained will be advantageous for the future. More determined than ever to finish the remaining challenges, I ask for your support, your confidence, and your vote at the 101st AFM Convention.

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

Jay Blumenthal, Local 802 (New York City)

It has been a great privilege serving as your international secretary-treasurer for the past three years. The Unity Team goals of improving the financial stability of the AFM and moving the AFM NY office to a beautiful new office space were both accomplished. The AFM General Fund net assets have increased by nearly $5 million during the past three years. But many important challenges remain such as organizing to bring the protections of a union contract to more and more musicians. We hope to continue our work to serve you and the entire AFM membership over the next three years.

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

John Acosta, Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) President

It has been a great privilege to represent the members of the American Federation of Musicians on the International Executive Board. Working with you, the greatest musicians in the world, AFM President Hair, my fellow board members, and local officers across the US and Canada, we have tackled many difficult issues together. However, our work is far from done. United, we can ensure that musicians earn a fair wage, receive respect on the job, and are able to retire with dignity. There are no doubt great challenges ahead, but when we stand united we will always be stronger together!

Mike Allen, Local 20-623 (Denver, CO) President

2020 will mark my 40th anniversary of membership in the AFM and Local 20-623. In 2015, it was my honor to assume the leadership of our local after accumulating many years of rank-and-file bargaining experience, as well as working with colleagues to create new bargaining units. Recently, the DMA has grappled with unique and thorny issues that have provided a rich learning environment in which to better understand the inner workings of our union and labor law. I would be honored by the opportunity to put those experiences to work in representing mid-size locals on the IEB.

Luc Fortin, Local 406 (Montreal, PQ) President

Dear brothers and sisters, it is with enthusiasm that I submit my candidacy for the office of the International Executive Board. Union values have always guided me and prevailed in all the decisions I had to make. I started my union career almost 15 years ago, first as director and, since 2006, as president of Local 406 (Montreal, Canada), the third largest local of the Federation with 3,200 members. During my tenure as president I restructured our finances and governance with great success. I sincerely believe that my long experience will be very useful to our union.

Tino Gagliardi, Local 802 (New York City)

The record of the Unity Team represents the experience and hard work needed to protect and better the livelihoods of musicians. We have bargained dozens of progressive agreements in the United States and Canada with our industry’s largest employers giving voice to the world-class musicians we represent. Bargaining hard for real gains is the hallmark of the Unity Team. Through advocacy, we continue to advance IP rights for musicians and bargain new revenue streams and fair compensation for our recordings. Our foundation is strong; together, we will continue to build a strong future for all musicians of the AFM.

Ed Malaga, Local 161-710 (Washington, DC) President

As a candidate for the IEB, it is an honor to be included on President Hair’s Team Unity. During my nine years as president of Washington, DC, Local 161-710, I’ve had the privilege of working with this administration at the bargaining table, on organizing campaigns, and in legislative efforts. The commitment and dedication to improving the lives of our AFM membership has always been paramount. As a local officer and working musician, these are values which have informed my own record of service, and which I will bring towards the promotion of a strong, progressive, and inclusive AFM.

Tina Morrison, Local 105 (Spokane, WA) President

My name is Tina Morrison and I ask for your vote as part of the Unity Team to continue serving on the International Executive Board. I’m in a unique position as president of AFM Local 105 and secretary treasurer of the Spokane Regional Labor Council to examine other unions, gain new perspectives, and identify opportunities to help us build solidarity and leverage for musicians. I’m involved with AFM Education and Diversity committees, working to build programs to inform and strengthen our union. AFM Bylaws, Article 2, Mission Statement is our guide for a strong union that works for all musicians.

Dave Pomeroy, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) President

Since 2010, I have been honored to serve all AFM musicians as an IEB member. We have worked hard to rebuild the AFM’s finances and resolve internal conflicts. Drawing on my experiences as a working musician, I have brought new concepts to the AFM, including affordable scales for home recording, and payment for the use of studio tracks in live performance. The IEB shares a common goal of raising the bar for all our members. We have made significant progress, but we can do more with your help. I respectfully ask for your vote as part of this unified team. 

Beth Zare, Local 6 (San Francisco, CA) Secretary-Treasurer

My experience as current secretary-treasurer of a large local (San Francisco), former president of a smaller local (San Jose), and previous ROPA representative has specially prepared me for serving you on the IEB. Additionally, as a member of the AFM Diversity Committee, I created content for the Women’s Caucus at the previous two conventions. I’ve dedicated my life and career to the underserved, giving voice to those who have none. As your elected IEB representative, I will address your concerns and use my strengths to promote change. We need to become relevant for our survival. Together, we can do this.

Organizing

Candidates Seeking Election for AFM Office

An important part of each AFM Convention is the nomination and election of international officers who will lead the organization during the next three years. Also elected are delegates to the AFL-CIO Convention. Article 19, Section 2 of the AFM Bylaws provides for the publication of campaign statements by those candidates who have declared their intent to run for office. No candidate is required to publish a statement and all candidates may at any time prior to nominations pursue an office other than the one identified below.

INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT

Raymond M. Hair, Jr., Local 72-147 (Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX)

Thank you for the privilege of serving as your president with this marvelous Unity Team. We’ve restored and maintained fiscal responsibility. With openness, activism, and real unionism, we’re negotiating and enforcing smart, progressive agreements. Through governmental advocacy, we’ve protected musicians’ interests and improved their lives. We’ve opened doors and found new rights money for AFM members, who make the music the world wants to hear. Difficult problems resolve with teamwork and Unity. Working together, we can preserve and protect our union and keep it strong, because we are stronger together. We ask for your vote. We are a winning team.

INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT

Bruce Fife, Local 99 (Portland, OR) President

It’s been an honor to represent and serve you as vice president of the American Federation of Musicians. Our union must remain strong and consistent in its leadership, provide the tools and support for our locals to remain vibrant, organize, and build our membership, and continue to strive for successful outcomes in critical local, national, and international negotiations. While we have not won every campaign, our team remains strong and our victories noteworthy. I ask for your continued trust, support, and guidance as we move forward and work together to keep our union strong and adaptive in this evolving industry.

VICE PRESIDENT FROM CANADA

Mark Jamison, Local 149 (Toronto, ON)

Canadian AFM members want to undertake a consensus-based review of AFM Canada’s activities that will serve the needs and aspirations of Canadian musicians. I was trained and worked as a symphony bass player and have had a successful career as an association executive leading media, business, and cultural membership organizations. With the skills, knowledge, and management success that I offer, as VP AFM Canada, I will help members identify approaches to key 21st Century contractual, regulatory, and professional image challenges and opportunities. I appreciate the encouragement of many members across Canada. It would be a privilege to serve you.

Alan Willaert, Local 149

The challenges facing Canadian musicians, and those of us who represent them, have increased exponentially over the last few years. Status quo is no longer an option, and we have therefore served notice to bargain on several large employers in the broadcast world. While this action will undoubtedly increase employment opportunities for members, the additional work involved is substantial. It has been my honour to serve as vice president from Canada, and I’m asking for the opportunity to continue, face those employers across the table, and finish what we started.

INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

Jay Blumenthal, Local 802 (New York City)

Like so many of you, my 41 years of AFM membership has played a central role in my career as a professional musician. Every dollar the Federation receives to advance our mission is tied in some way to the work that you do as a professional musician. That’s why the spending of union funds must improve the lives and protect the livelihoods of our members. Creating a financially stable AFM while fighting for justice in the workplace, building solidarity, and educating our membership will ensure a stronger union for current and future members.

INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

John Acosta, Local 47 (Los Angeles, CA) President

It is with great humility that I announce my candidacy for the AFM International Executive Board. For over a decade it has been an honor to serve the amazing musicians of our great union. Together we have fought on the street and at the bargaining table, and on the IEB I will continue the fight for improved economic conditions and better standards for all AFM members. It is an honor to be part of President Hair’s “Team Unity,” the stabilizing force that has rebuilt our AFM. Music is our passion! Now let’s put the same passion into our union!

Joe Boettger, Local 542 (Flint, MI) President

Joe Boettger, President of Local 542, Flint, Michigan, intends to run for an executive board member seat on the International Executive Board. He will be a voice for post-industrial and small locals. He will listen to all Local leadership and advocate continually for them at the international level. He has a pragmatism and fortitude developed from surviving in one of the most hostile labor and human environments currently in the United States. Canadian artists often work in his jurisdiction and he will advocate equally for their concerns. AFM needs a person of this vision and understanding on the IEB now.

Tino Gagliardi, Local 802 President

Having been a part of a union that continues to transform itself through honest and open discussion about the challenges we face is rewarding and has benefited our union over the past six years. This collaborative, comprehensive model contributes to our standing at the bargaining table and continues to address the financial and organizational challenges we face. Working on behalf of all musicians, it is this administration that continues to foster and promote this environment. Please support the Unity Team so we may continue to improve the standards for our members and strengthen our union.

Tina Morrison, Local 105 (Spokane, WA) Vice President

Our union changed directions by electing this administration and then re-electing our team. Stabilization came first with much accomplished via a complex network of activities setting foundations for new relationships and future income streams for musicians in this global economy. We’ve faced many challenges together, however there is more to do. Certain paths became labyrinths but the goals set forth by our mission statement continue to guide us forward. I would appreciate your vote so we can continue the work of making our union inclusive and relevant to all working musicians.

Joe Parente, Local 77 (Philadelphia, PA) President

The last convention has given the Federation the tools to continue in the direction of improving the lives of all AFM members. The IEB has had to make difficult decisions in dealing with the problems we are all facing. With the confidence the last convention showed us, Team Unity will continue to represent our members in an effort to improve all of our lives as professional musicians. I am dedicated, as are all the Federation officers, to continuing to fight for the rights and welfare of all members of the AFM. I ask your support for re-election to the IEB.

Dave Pomeroy, Local 257 (Nashville, TN) President

It has been an honor to serve you as an IEB member for the past six years. I have been a working musician for nearly 40 years, and first got involved in AFM issues long ago because I saw a need for our union to “get real” and evolve with the times. It has not been easy, but the bottom line is that this team has made a real difference in how the AFM takes care of business for its members. We will always be stronger when we are united by our common goal of promoting respect for all musicians.  

George Troia, Jr., Local 5 (Detroit, MI) President

I, George Troia , Jr. announce my candidacy for a seat on the International Executive Board of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. I am grateful to have been blessed with a with a multi-faceted musical career over the past 50 years, full of experiences that I believe to be valuable to the direction of the Federation in this new century. My primary goal in union representation is, and will always be, making life better for musicians. I humbly ask you for your support in this endeavor.