The AFM Convention formally opens tomorrow (with many delegates already there or flying in today for various committee and social functions), yet the average delegate would hardly be aware of the fact except for reminders from their airline to check in online. My first convention was in 1994; I can't recall one since to which the run-up was so quiet.
Of course, the various wars ignited (or fanned) during Tom Lee's incumbency made the past few conventions quite interesting, with lots of election literature hitting delegates' mailboxes in the weeks before the gathering and much online discussion of elections and proposed legislation.
But this year - no online discussion at all that I've seen, and almost no pre-conference electioneering. The incumbents on the IEB are running as a slate and put a piece in the mail (followed by phone calls to at least some delegates), and there have been two others from candidates for Executive Officer (the at-large non-executive IEB positions; dunno why they're called "Executive Officers").
That doesn't guarantee that there won't be heated and contested elections. But, in the past, such contests have always been telegraphed well in advance, so I think serious contests are highly unlikely.
That leaves proposed legislation. The complete list of Recommendations (legislation proposed by the IEB) and Resolutions (proposed by delegates or conference) can be found here. By comparison with some past conventions, it's a fairly short list. Many of the Recommendations seem to be technical amendments to the Bylaws, although experiences can be deceiving. Having said that, Recommendations #2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16 appear mostly to clarify language or remove ambiguities.
Recommendation #3 would require Locals to notify 1501 should any proposals regarding withdrawal from the AFM-EP Fund (or the Canadian equivalent) be raised during local bargaining, the national office must be notified and a representative by present at negotiations; pretty obviously a response to the Philly mess.
Recommendation #4 has to do with representation on the Musicians' Rights Organization Canada, the organization that distributes royalties denominated in loonies. This appears a technical change, but I've heard it suggested that it's more than that. There does appear to be an undercurrent of tension between 1501 and Canada, the latest explosion of which was the trusteeing of the Vancouver local over film work conducted under a local contract, and that tension could occupy more of the Convention's time than appeared likely even a few months ago.
Recommendation #10 would require locals to develop plans to increase membership and presence in the music industry. Recommendation #13 is yet another attempt to deal with the issue of orchestras working under CBAs that travel as back-up groups. It would require that local wage scales, if higher than the traveling orchestras', would prevail, and that the Local in which the orchestra is traveling would get some work dues. There is a resolution addressing the same issue, although in a different way.
As opposed to the Recommendations, which unsurprisingly read like modest and considered attempts to address issues written by a committee of politicians thinking about the next election, the Resolutions are all over the map, both in terms of what issues they try to address and the thoughtfulness with which the proponents show in addressing those issues. They go from modest and considered attempts to address real issues to veritable outpourings of a constituency's id. Having said that, here is a summary:
Resolution #1 attempts to increase the reach of the International Unfair List by adding to those who can be added to it. Resolution #2 modestly loosens the requirements for life members. Resolution #3 tries to make it easier for Locals not to admit members who have been expelled.
Resolution #4 appears to increase the autonomy of the Canadian office. Not surprisingly, it was submitted by the Canadian Conference. There will be a fight over this one, I think, as there will be over most things Canadian this year.
Resolution #5 would expand the ability of 1501 to waive Federation Per Capita dues in cases where a Local might experience difficulty in finding the money, although it leaves the power to do so with the IEB. I expect an interesting discussion.
Resolution #6 would obligate members to ensure that they aren't working for anyone on the Unfair List. There's probably a back story to this one, as the responsibility seems to exist already.
Resolution #7 is another one from the Canadian Conference; it would require that there be a "Canadian International Representative" as one of the International Representatives, who would have to live in Canada.
Resolution #8 would create a category of "Disabled Members" at the discretion of Locals, who would pay dues at the Life Member rate until they return to work. A good idea, I think, although it likely will be opposed on the grounds that the AFM can't afford it.
Resolution #9 would change the AFM's motto from "Unity, Harmony, Artistry" to "Unity, Artistry, Divsersity." I suspect the discussion on this one will be far too long for any effect an actual change would have on the AFM's future.
Resolution #10 has to have a back story: it would add language requiring Local elected officers to "support and enforce" their Local's bylaws. Some things apparently don't go without saying.
Resolution #11 would require 1501 to develop either an online orientation program for new members or a DVD equivalent. Good idea.
Resolution #12 would increase Convention per diems from $50 to $75. This will get dealt with as part of whatever Joint Law and Finance propose to to replace Recommendation #1 when it fails.
Resolution #13 is another attempt to deal with the issue of traveling CBA orchestras. It's strangely written, but the stated intent is to treat orchestras the same as "traveling bands." It comes from the Denver local, which has long been upset by the fact that CBA orchestras from out of the state play at Bravo Colorado in Vail. I doubt it will be adopted, but it will influence the discussion of the IEB's attempt to deal with the same issue.
Resolution #14 establishes a task force to investigate turning the Music Performance Fund into a payroll service. Given that the MPF is not really under the AFM's control, and that 1501 believes that MPF isn't dead yet, I think this won't go anywhere.
Resolution #15 would bar those musicians who "join, are directly affiliated with, or are members of the governing body of any management organization" from serving on orchestra committees or attending orchestra meetings. Hmm... I wonder who that's directed against.
Resolution #16 would bar any member "employed in any management or supervisory capacity by an organization which is party to a collective bargaining agreement with an AFM Local" from serving as a Local officer or delegate. It's been suggested to me that this has something to do with Tom Lee attending the Convention as a delegate from the DC local while also serving as executive director of the National Theatre in Washington. But it does make sense on its own merits. It would make even more sense if the bar was extended to any musician who acts as an employer of other musicians, but that won't happen for a few more conventions.
Resolution #17 has to with allowing locals to set membership rates for "student musicians" at lower levels than regular members pay. It's an interesting idea, but I doubt it's going anywhere, if only for financial reasons.
Resolution #18 addresses the same issue in a different way; it puts Federation per cap dues for student musicians at the same level as life members. Perhaps some melding of #17 and #18 will achieve something useful.
Resolution #19 would bar the AFM from endorsing candidates for government office. DOA, I suspect.
Resolution #20 would require the AFM to develop an outreach program to educational institutions regarding the benefits of AFM membership.
Resolution #21 would allow Local 406 (Quebec) to become an "affiliate" of the AFM, rather than a Local. Pretty ballsy. This will get wrapped into any larger discussion of Canadian exceptionalism autonomy. But I can't see it passing.
Resolution #22 would rewrite the membership application to allow dues checkoff in right-to-work states. Bredhoff & Kaiser will have the effective final say on this one, I suspect.
Resolution #23 establishes a funding mechanism to assist small locals. Could get wrapped into final financial package in some form, but probably won't.
Resolution #24 would excuse Locals from paying for delegates to attend player conferences "upon providing evidence." Even if delegates thought it was a good idea (and some of them will), they won't take on the player conferences this directly. If it came out of committee with a positive recommendation, it's likely there would be a roll call vote on this one, which it wouldn't survive.
Resolution #25 would establish a study process to revise the current local conference structure. Might pass.
Resolution #26 (yet another Canadian one) would empower the Vice President from Canada, rather than the IEB, to determine the bargaining unit for "all National media agreements applicable only in Canada." In addition, it would empower a Local's Executive Board to determine the bargaining unit for Local CBAs. The first part I understand, although there will be a big fight over it, as it appears tied into the general issue of Canadian exceptionalism, especially regarding electronic media. The second part simply seems wrong to me, unless there's a nuance in Canadian law that makes this necessary. It seems to give far too much power to Local boards. Of course, there may also be a drafting error here and it's intended to only apply to local media agreements. But WTF is a local media agreement anyway?
It's worth noting the absence of a few perennials - notably (at least to me) any attempt to bar contractors from serving on local boards and any resolution dealing with the manifest injustice of someone belonging to two locals from having to pay two per caps. I suspect the proponents of both simply got tired of getting batted down by the relevant committees and/or the delegates.
And that's it - except for Recommendation #1, which of course is the Big Enchilada. I expect the financial issue to dominate this Convention anyway, which might be a good thing, given that we have 4 days to fill and not a lot of legislation to argue about. More on finances later.
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