The COMMITTEE is WRONG again

The latest blast from the COMMITTEE suggests that the RMA is quite properly excluded from deliberations by the AFM on issues of concern to recording musicians because it’s not a “labor organization.” Apparently that’s because it’s

not a party to any collective bargaining agreement, is not a certified/recognized bargaining agent, does not represent a single person for purposes of that individuals’ wages, terms and conditions of employment, does not otherwise “deal directly’ with employers as to employees’ wages and conditions of employment, etc.

 and is thus not eligible for 501(c)(5) status.

Wrong and wrong. The RMA’s status as a player conference is what gives it status to represent its members within the AFM and to participate in AFM governance and decision-making as described by the Roehl report, which was adopted as IEB policy years ago. Its status under IRS regs is irrelevant, unless the COMMITTEE has discovered a new AFM bylaw making player conference status dependent on IRS determinations.

And the fact that RMA is not “a party to any collective bargaining agreement”, etc & etc. likewise means nothing. ICSOM is not a party to any CBA and does not directly bargain with employers, but guess what? It’s a labor organization and operates as a 501(c)(5). And it’s also a player conference, with the same rights of participation according to IEB policy.

 The COMMITTEE is free to believe, along with the current AFM administration, that player conferences ought not to have a role in AFM governance. But it should at least respect our intelligence and not try to pretend that there’s a legal reason to up-end years of AFM policy and practice.

Comments

[Robert Levine]

You're right; it's not clear, and it may have come from an (anonymous) contributor.

[Rick Blanc]

While it is not very clear, I don't believe the post you refer to was offered as an editorial comment from the Committee, but rather came from a contributor.