Tuning in to the Future: International Solidarity and Negotiating Table Successes

December 1, 2024

Tino Gagliardi  -  AFM International President

Together with a robust delegation from the AFM, I attended the Fifth International Orchestra Conference (IOC) of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), October 23-26, in Malmö, Sweden. In addition to myself, the delegation included Vice President from Canada Allistair Elliott, AFM Director of Symphonic Services and Special Counsel Rochelle Skolnick, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) Chair Keith Carrick, Regional Orchestra Players Association (ROPA) President Stephen Wade, Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM) President Bob Fraser, OCSM Vice President Ethan Balakrishnan, and Professor Christine Guptill of the University of Ottawa. Also in attendance was AFM Local 149 (Toronto, ON) Executive Director and AFM International Executive Board Member Dusty Kelly.

Previous iterations of the IOC were held in Berlin, Amsterdam, Oslo, and Montreal in 2017. The format of the conference includes a series of panel discussions featuring musicians and advocates for musicians. On the first day, orchestra managers participated, while the remaining days were dedicated solely to musicians and their representatives. This arrangement facilitated open and honest discussions about issues important to the participants. Attendees from across Europe, and as far away as Japan, Australia, and India, were united in a shared passion for their art.

Members of the AFM delegation participated as panelists or moderators in discussions on various important topics. These included environmental and climate issues impacting orchestras (Fraser), musicians’ health concerns (Guptill), bullying and harassment (Skolnick), and the evolving nature of orchestra musicians’ work due to changes in repertoire and audience demographics (Skolnick). I was part of a panel focused on fostering solidarity within orchestras and on an international level. Additional panels covered themes such as transparency and fairness in recruitment practices to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion; work-life balance for orchestra musicians; and the rights of freelance musicians.

In addition to the panel discussions, attendees were invited to a concert by Malmö Symphony Orchestra, held in their beautiful concert hall, which was conveniently attached to the conference hotel. The City of Malmö also hosted a reception at its historic City Hall. However, the most important aspect of the event was the lively exchange of ideas and information among orchestra musicians from around the world. While the challenges we face are remarkably similar, each country approaches these challenges slightly differently, leading to both success stories and disappointments. This diversity of perspectives makes an event like the FIM IOC a valuable forum for learning from one another and reinforcing the shared solidarity of orchestra musicians globally.

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Early in November, our negotiations with the television networks for a successor to the Television Videotape Agreement continued; a second extension agreement was signed to carry the agreement through the end of January. Both parties met for a productive week at the AFM offices in New York City, where significant movement was made on structural issues in the contract. Though some issues remain open, including economics and new media, the process has been cooperative thus far. The parties will meet again for three days in early January.

I am excited about the substantial progress we’ve made at the negotiating table this year. Notably, the historic breakthroughs in streaming residuals, artificial intelligence protections, wage increases, and other improvements for musicians in the agreement with Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), Pamphlet B negotiations, and our current Live TV Videotape agreement negotiations. These developments demonstrate the AFM’s commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of its members and securing a sustainable future for the music industry.

Finally, I hope you take the time to enjoy the remaining year-end holidays with your family and friends. Wishing all of you a happy holiday and a healthy, prosperous new year!

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