Building a More Secure Profession

by Frank Amoss

President of AFM Local 7
Orange County, CA

Reprinted with permission from the 3rd Quarter 200 issue of The Score, the official publication of the Orange County Musicians’ Association, Local 6, AFM.

As the union pursues its duty of recruiting new members and organizing existing members into unified workers, the question of benefits is the one that is most frequently posed as the determining factor in the decision whether or not to embrace unionism. “What’s in it for me?” is not an unreasonable question when contemplating joining an organization which requires financial and emotional support, as well as one’s loyalty. The problem is that the question is usually directed at achieving immediate gratification. Where the schism occurs is the potential member’s failure to consider that the benefits of joining forces with other musicians come to fruition in the long run. Like pumping iron, the muscles must be flexed and exercised before the power becomes evident.

The most common quid pro quo suggested by potential members is the agreement to become a member if the union provides gigs. The union cannot promise this. Our local operates a referral service to the best of its ability and limited manpower, but the primary function of a labor union is to organize members for the purpose of developing strength in the marketplace.

The union is not a business. The difference is that a business provides services to collect money. A union collects money to provide services. Hence, a membership must provide the wherewithal with which its union can operate. It is putting the horse before the cart to ask: “what can the union do for me?” until one has made an invest-ment of him/herself into the organization. It’s a no-brainer to realize that if all musicians organized and adhered to the philosophy of unionism, the music profes-sion would possess an unheard of degree of strength and security. Given the large number of musicians who are strictly hobbyists, it is unrealistic to expect to achieve the ideal, overwhelming percentage of union members. But it should be just as obvious that the reverse is even more absurd. The profession of live music is not going to become more secure by embracing the hobbyist mentality.

Building a more secure profession is in the interest of every professional musician. The hobbyist sells his/her services for whatever wage (if any) is available. Chances are that this musician’s primary income and benefits are derived from a secure day job. Whatever remuneration is derived from musical employment will, in most instances, be more than is possible through any other supplemental income. This dabbler in the arts is competing with musicians who are dedicated to earning their livelihood through their performances. The dabbler is not interested in being part of an organization that requires a commit-ment to upholding a wage standard. In fact, the higher the area wage standard, the easier it is for the cheapster to sell musical services. Fortunately, not all musicians who earn their primary income from a profession other than live music do so at the expense of their fellow musicians. There are many part time musicians who believe in the value of the collective good and perform their musical activities in accordance with the guidelines of the union. We will continue to find it difficult to generate the necessary power with which we can improve our condi-tions of employment until a majority of musicians support the mission of the American Federation of Musicians.

Musicians who refuse to recognize the value of belonging to an organization dedicated to strengthening the live music profession are burying their heads in the sand. The union offers them the opportunity to be proactive toward the music business. As they propound the union’s inability to do anything for them, they are denying the reality that they are avoiding the opportunity to do something for themselves. It has been proven that there is strength in numbers, but it is an individual choice to be one of the number who join forces in an effort to improve conditions. The union does not claim that it can do it for you. The union’s claim is that strength will be created through your solidarity. Solidarity will be created through your adherence to the principles of unionism. The union is a tool of the membership. It works from the bottom up. The most imaginative and enthusiastic of Union administrators and officials can accomplish nothing without the support of the members. Just as at election time when every vote counts, it is the same with the union. Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, it is the same with the union.

All musicians, union and non-union, are award that the opportunities to create live music have been diminishing for many years. Each technological advancement in musical reproduction cuts deeper into our work oppor-tunities. The musical hobbyist runs from this electronic onslaught and reduces the cost of his/her services to remain active for a while longer, with little or no regard for the damage done to the health of our profession. The professional musician uses the services of the union to organize and bargain collectively with those who employ live music. The act or organizing is the only effective means of fighting for the longevity of the music profession. Musicians must realize that a high degree of talent and proficiency is not enough to offer protection from exploitation or to guarantee that a player will be dealt with fairly. When negotiating for wages and working conditions it is always a matter of power. Who has the power? On a one-to-one basis the power leans heavily with the employer. The employer has what a musicians wants, i.e. work! However, we must realize that we have what the employer needs, i.e. music! When an employer can play us against each other it is easy for him to erode whatever power we can generate through talent and proficiency.

When musicians organize and speak with one voice we develop the only effective power base with which to combat exploitation. When the employer gets the same answer from every musician, then, and only then, will his choice be made on the basis of capability. The person who can give him what he wants will be hired as opposed to whoever will work for the least. That is a level playing field.

This is what the union can do for you. It can create an environment removed from the fear of having the rug pulled out from under you by others who are willing to give more for less. You are the Union. You can do this. To reiterate, it is a process that works from the bottom up. Don’t lament the weakness. Embrace the philosophy of the Union and develop the strength...your strength...your power.

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