AFM Local 47 was pleased to host the 2019 AFM Western Conference of Locals, where officers and delegates from AFM Locals in the western United States and Canadian provinces gathered to review common issues and organize for the upcoming AFM Convention.

This year’s conference took place Feb. 22-24 at the Glendale Hilton, a proud union facility. The opening session began with an invocation delivered by Rabbi Jonathan Klein, the new executive director at Beth Chayim Chadashim. Fresh off of winning a Grammy earlier that month, Canadian-born violinist and AFM Local 47 member Lili Haydn performed riveting violin renditions of the United States and Canadian national anthems. State Senator and labor legend Maria Elena Durazo served as our keynote speaker.

Additional guests included Betty Forrester from United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) who spoke about the recent successful strike, and Kim Roberts Hedgpeth from the Film Musicians Secondary Markets Fund. Representatives from the AFM who addressed the conference included President Ray Hair, Secretary/Treasurer Jay Blumenthal, legal counsel Dana Martinez from Bush Gottlieb, and Local 47’s software developers Patrick Alexander and Emil Khashadourian. The California Conference met that evening to discuss local business.

Day 2 of the conference began with guest speakers City Councilmember Paul Koretz representing Los Angeles’s 5th District, and Susan Minato, president of Unite Here Local 11, who discussed the union’s current strike at dozens of hotels throughout Southern California, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Anaheim. Judith Velasco, director at the Verdugo Workforce Development Board, spoke about their partnership with Local 47 in developing the Career Pathways Program.

Jim Garrison, president of Pacific Federal, delivered a presentation on Health & Welfare, and AFM & SAG AFTRA Fund Chief Operating Officer Sidney White gave an update on the Fund. Speakers from the AFM included Symphonic Services Division Director Rochelle Skolnick, Political Director Alfonso Pollard, and Organizer Michael Manley. Delegates took to their feet to pareticipate in an interactive Organizing Workshop hosted Chloe Osmer, organizing director of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

Dan Beck from the Recording Industry’s Music Performance Trust Fund showed the world premiere of a half-hour documentary film “Never Too Old,” which showcases how music programs throughout the nation provided to older audiences enrich their lives, and the lives of the musicians themselves. This new promotional tool will be offered for use by all AFM Locals to highlight MPTF’s work and service to the community. A condensed version of the film may be viewed at never2oldmusicfilm.com.

Saturday’s session ended with Player Conference reports from the Recording Musicians Association, Theatre Musicians Association, Regional Orchestra Players Association, International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians, and the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians. That evening guests enjoyed a complimentary cocktail reception with appetizers and first-hour bar hosted by Pacific Federal, LLC and Bush Gottlieb, dinner hosted by Local 47, and a lively jazz trio provided musical entertainment featuring pianist Sabine, tastefully accompanied by Kenny Wild on the bass and Jon Stuart on drums.

The final day of the conference featured an update on the AFM Pension Fund and reports from the Diversity, Auditing, Location, TEMPO, and Bylaws committees. The final order of business was the election of officers.

The 2020 Western Conference will be hosted by Local 105 in Spokane, Washington.