I. AFM CONVENTION ELECTION RESULTS
II. Debbi Datz –Pyle (1954-2007)
III. LOS ANGELES LOSES SIMPSONS VIDEO GAME SCORE
IV. AFM CONVENTION NOTES
Greetings Colleagues!,
Just a quick note to let you know that because of server problems
the email source may have looked different than it normally does,
but the problem is being resolved. This has also affected the
COMMITTEE’S ability to receive email, so please keep your replies
handy to resend if they don’t go through, we want to hear from you!
This report is from the point of view of our reps at the convention.
The AFM Convention served to rejuvenate our passion and feeling of
promise for our Federation. The vast majority of delegates were people
of integrity, competence, humor and passion, and friendships were forged
that hopefully will be maintained long after this convention. We thank all
the delegates for their warm welcome, support and interest.
This convention, in the COMMITTEE’S opinion, was wonderful for
the vast majority of AFM members! In difficult times, this group of
delegates took many brave and forward thinking positions. The administration
in place now is one that will put the entire Federation first. Hopefully
we can work on this same goals in our own Local 47.
We’re proud that we could be a small part of this 97th AFM convention
and fully encourage everyone to attend the next convention in three years.
The COMMITTEE would also like to thank our reps for heading to Las
Vegas on their own dime to represent the majority of the Local 47
rank and file.
THE COMMITTEE
I. AFM CONVENTION ELECTION RESULTS
AFM President Tom Lee – retained his position over Hal Espinosa,
Local 47 President
TOM LEE 513 – WINNER
HAL ESPINOSA 298
International Vice President
Harold Bradley (unopposed)
Canadian Vice President
Bill Skolnik 88
Len Lytwyn 33
David Jandrisch 24
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Sam Folio 592 – WINNER
Quentin Solano 133
Michael Troy Moore 21
International Executive Board
Joe Parente – 478
Bob McGrew – 462
Ray Hair – 361
Erwin Price – 303
Billy Linneman – 293
II. Debbi Datz –Pyle (1954-2007)
Debbi Datz-Pyle (1954-2007), music contractor, has passed away.
A service will be held on Friday, June 22nd at 1:30pm at Forest
Lawn Cemetary
A reception will be held afterwards at:
The Zimmitti home
19656 Wellington Lane
Tarzana, CA 91356
Among the most recent films she contracted are: September
Dawn, Breach, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Meet
the Robinson’s and Happy Feet.
If you would like to make a donation in Ms. Datz-Pyle name,
you may send checks to:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
P.O. Box 650309
Dallas, Tx. 75265 – 0309
Put “In memory of Debbi Datz-Pyle” in the memo
or donate online at:
www.komen.org
Please keep her family in your thoughts.
————–
III. LOS ANGELES LOSES SIMPSONS VIDEO GAME SCORE
Recently, it was decided that the scores for the Simpsons film
and video game would be done in Los Angeles.
The film was recorded as planned, and it was the intention
of the composer and contractor to record the video game
here in Los Angeles as well, using the AFM’s new video
game contract. . The problem? The RMA Leadership didn’t
like that.
What happened?
At one of the Simpson film sessions, someone put flyers on
the music stands telling the musicians they do not approve
of the AFM video game agreement and that the musicians
SHOULD NOT DO THOSE SESSIONS. Reading between
the lines wasn’t hard.
What happened then?
Approximately half of the orchestra canceled out of the video
game sessions. Did that work go to other LA musicians? No.
The composer and contractor were so incensed that they took
the score, still union, to San Francisco.
Another five days of double sessions for our members gone.
And you can bet that whatever work that composer and/or
contractor does in the future, they’ll think twice about dealing
with the Los Angeles arrogantistas again. How many future
sessions will be gone thanks to those actions? We’ll never know.
If you’re in the RMALA, please write to your leadership and thank
them for their efforts to save you from this unworthy, despicable work.
Also please write us and let us know your reaction to these folks
who would rather have you get no work, than work they don’t
approve of.
————–
IV. (THE BORING STUFF) NOTES ON THE CONVENTION – DAY ONE
The morning of the convention was a bit surreal. Going to
breakfast in Kady’s, the Riviera coffee shop, was a bit like
the scene in “The Great Escape”, where all the escapees
from the German concentration camp find themselves at the
same railroad station, waiting for the same train, but trying to
ignore each other. Dispersed throughout the restaurant were
people on various sides of issues, many pretending the others
were not there.
MORNING SESSION:
Morning session was taken up with speeches and taped welcomes,
Including.
AFTERNOON SESSION:
Paul Castillo, Long Beach representative from California
wanted the words WITHOUT DEBATE removed from
Rule 3, Part 2, Line 5.
The result would likely be the ability to delay or filibuster
resolutions by allowing debate to be demanded and probably
make the convention move far slower. There was another part
not so obvious, but he tied them together.
Except for Ken Shirk, Local 99, Portland, Oregon those who
spoke opposed the changes.
Mr. Castillo’s proposed changes lost.
MONTREAL ALLOWED TO BE SEATED
An emergency resolution to allow the Montreal Local to be
seated (To legally participant and vote) was presented.
They represent 25% of the AFM in Canada. A slate of members
had recently taken the local back from another administration
and found it almost bankrupt. They are paying it back. Under
AFM bylaws they could not be seated until they had paid
off their outstanding work dues.
The IEB had the authority to allow them to be seated, since the
current administration was blameless in the situation they found
when they took office.
Most spoke in favor of Montreal, Far, far fewer opposed Montreal.
Many delegates spoke.
Ken Shirk argued against allowing them to be seated, among other
things, because he felt it could affect the outcome of the vote.
Mr. Shirk wanted changes to the emergency resolution.
One delegate even “slipped up” and asked to address Ken Shirk
of Local 47! (Mr. Shirk is not from Local 47, but we don’t really
think it was a slip-up, but a political statement)
Proposed changes failed.
A vast majority of Delegates voted in favor of Montreal.
A triumphant delegation from Montreal rose from the visitor’s
gallery and ceremoniously marched to their place on the floor
amidst many cheers and applause.
This subject took over 2 1/2 hours, with two day to go!
RESOLUTIONS
You can see the details of the resolutions in your International
Musicians. Changes are often needed, we’ll just let you know
whether they pass to not.
RESOLUTION 17: Passed
RESOLUTION 18: Passed
RESOLUTION 51: Failed
Committees discussed meeting times then candidates were
nominated.
End of first day-
DAY TWO
Nevada Chamber Symphony performed at 8 am
At 9 am there was a memorial service for those AFM members
who’ve passed since the last convention, including our own
Richard Totusek. Mrs. Totusek appeared and gave a special
tribute to Richard. President Tom Lee and Delegate Ken Shirk
also gave a tribute to our Richard. Such was his importance.
He’s probably the most knowledgeable officer we ever had.
Sam Folio gave a tribute to Alex DePalma, who worked in
the national AFM office for Sam.
The Nevada Chamber Symphony was a perfect tribute during
the service for all those who had passed, and the group played
beautifully.
———-
RECOMMENDATIONS/RESOLUTIONS DAY TWO: MORNING
You can see the details of the resolutions in your International
Musicians. Changes are often needed, we’ll just let you know
whether they pass to not.
Recommendation 5 – PASSED
Recommendation 8 – to increase arts funding – PASSED
RESOLUTION 43 – Withdrawn
Recommendation 24 – Withdrawn
Recommendation 21 – REFERED BACK TO COMMITTEE
RESOLUTION 2 – Copyright treatment – PASSED
RESOLUTION 3 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 6 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 18 – PASSED
Recommendation 32 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 59 – Withdrawn
RESOLUTION 64 – PASSED
Recommendation 13 – PASSED
Recommendation 26 – PASSED
Recommendation 16 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 10 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 14 – SKIPPED
RESOLUTION 26 – WITHDRAWN
RESOLUTION 19 – Concerning Membership numbers
(Census)- The critics were complaining that the membership
count is not accurate but couldn’t seem to understand the
concept that the membership count can only be as accurate
as the numbers given to the National by the Locals,.. if the
Locals cannot give accurate numbers, the National cannot
be expected to have accurate numbers, it’s basic common
sense.
They had to have a standing count, where those in favor stand
up and are counted, then those opposed do the same.
Yes 203
No 75
RESOLUTION 19 passed
Recommendation 7 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 33 – PASSED
LUNCH –
Various awards were presented including youth awards.
RECOMMENDATIONS/RESOLUTIONS DAY TWO:AFTERNOON
Recommendation 27 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 44 – Withdrawn
Recommendation 1 – FAILED
————
SURPRISE OF THE DAY
A delegate complained that he and many were sent a fax supporting
a particular candidate as a emergency fax that they had to pay for
and the member wanted to know whether they could bill the Officer,
bill Local 47 or get a Lawyer and file a class action lawsuit for
invasion of privacy!
————
Election Takes Place –
Night session began be at 8:15
RECOMMENDATIONS/RESOLUTIONS DAY TWO: EVENING
Recommendations 11 – Making AFM convention every
three years instead of two, saving $100,000 in the coming
three years. Much discussion. Good arguments on both sides.
– PASSED
RESOLUTION 61 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 57 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 62 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 31 – Against Iraq War – PASSED
————
RECOMMENDATIONS/RESOLUTIONS DAY THREE: MORNING
Discussion of FINANCIAL PACKAGE – Considered the most important
topic of the convention. Various increases in the dues, assessments
and a financial plan – Heated discussions all around, mainly but not
exclusively along the lines of RMA and their supports verses everyone
else.
One complained of paying 50,000 in work dues. Later another delegate
pointed out that if that member paid $50,000 in dues, that means the
member suffering through $50,000 in work dues earned approx. 2.5
MILLION dollars! That puts a different twist on it, doesn’t it?
Still feel sympathetic? You do the work you pay the dues,
end of story.
Perhaps the larger problem are those whose philosophy is: As
long as I get what I want I don’t care what happens to anyone
else.
The delegate comments lasted over 3 1/2 hours.
Financial Package – PASSED
RECOMMENDATIONS/RESOLUTIONS DAY THREE: AFTERNOON
Some recommendations and resolutions were withdrawn
Recommendation 4 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 63 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 1 – WITHDRAWN
————
PERFORMANCE CONFERENCE SPEECHES
PRESENTATION OF 25 YEAR PARTICIPATION PINS
————
RESOLUTION 20/21/45 – WITHDRAWN
RESOLUTION 3 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 54 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 49 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 50 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 14 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 35 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 5 – REFERED TO IEB
RESOLUTION 7 – FAILED
Recommendation 52 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 16 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 21 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 39 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 1 – WITHDRAWN
RESOLUTION 40- PASSED
RESOLUTION 53- PASSED
RESOLUTION 34 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 36 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 37 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 41 – FAILED
RESOLUTION 27 – PASSED
Recommendation 19 – FAILED
Recommendation 28 – PASSED
Recommendation 15 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 2 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 52 – PASSED
Recommendation 12 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 13/24 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 56 – Domestic Partnership – PASSED
RESOLUTION 46 – WITHDRAWN
Recommendation 23 – WITHDRAWN
RESOLUTION 55 – PASSED
Recommendation 9 – PASSED
Recommendation 10 – PASSED
Recommendation 29 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 48 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 47 – PASSED
RESOLUTION 38 – PASSED
A trait of some of the later resolutions we observed was the
attempt to force undo performance conference (read RMA)
influence in the resolutions being voted on. The body of
delegates saw through each of their attempts and they
failed. Bravo to the delegates!
No doubt the next International Musicians will detail the full
picture of the convention.
Election results were announced.
Speeches were given by those offices elected.
The 97th Convention of the American Federation of Musicians
was adjourned at Approx 8:50 PM.
Until next time!,
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47