Member Spotlight

AFM Local 47 member and trumpeter Fernando Pullum moved to Los Angeles in 1983 to follow his dream of becoming an educator and professional musician. He assumed the music program at L.A.’s Washington Prep High School. Under his tutelage, the program thrived. In 1989, Los Angeles Unified School District recognized Fernando’s music program as the first music magnet in South Los Angeles.

As we move toward the end of the first full year of our new administration, I’m proud of the progress that we have made in a number of areas. We have vibrant, effective rank-and-file groups working in a number of areas, from committees representing each of the orchestras and CBA groups we have negotiated with to our Trustees on the Local 47 Health & Welfare Fund, our new Wage Scale Committee, our General Membership Meeting Task Force, and the wonderful RMA and rank-and-file leaders of our Human Made Human Paid and film/TV campaigns. Our Executive Board has become a real team, with great participation and dialogue, and our Director of Organizing Eva Nevarez has become a great contributor and is deeply valued.

October has been busy at Local 47: more music, better member services, and plenty of work on the building. Somewhere in there, we even found time to discuss things other than parking. Our Hollywood Burbank Airport opening put Local 47 musicians in front of new audiences. We are having conversations with the Airport Management about building a regular music program. Finally, something at the airport worth arriving early for.

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines community as a group of people living in the same geographic area, or a network of individuals connected by shared interests, values, culture, or background.

This month’s Staff Spotlight is Diane Lauerman, who is the AFM Local 47 Live Performance business representative and Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF) administrator. Local 47 sat down with Diane to talk about her work at the local on behalf of members.

This month’s New Member Spotlight is Cassie Bradley, whose instruments are the steel pan (drum) and clarinet. She has played live with various music groups, performed at NBA games, and has done TV and commercial work. Local 47 sat down with Cassie to talk about her career and union membership.

The world lost an icon with the passing of labor leader Dolores Huerta. She was 96.

Ms. Huerta worked against incredible odds and powerful employers to give farmworkers dignity and a voice on the job. She co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA) with Cesar Chavez and Gilbert Padilla, which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) to become the United Farm Workers (UFW). Her role in the Delano grape strike in 1965 brought international attention to the plight of farmworkers.

Born in New Mexico in 1930 to parents of Mexican descent, Ms. Huerta’s family moved around before settling in Stockton, California. She became a teacher and then a civil rights advocate for Mexican Americans and Latinos via the Community Service Organization. In 1958 she joined the labor movement via the Agricultural Workers’ Association and in 1962 co-founded the NFWA, which became the UFW after the 1965 merger with AWOC. She rose to prominence with the grape and lettuce strikes of the 1960s and the 1970s against companies like Gallo and Franzia, leading to negotiations between farmworkers and them.

Ms. Huerta’s tireless advocacy for farmworkers led to passage of the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which recognized farmworkers’ right to collective bargaining. Her lobbying and leadership helped to better the lives of farmworkers and empower them on the job.

Over the years, Ms. Huerta became a voice for Latina women, encouraging them to run for office and take greater control of their lives. A lifelong human rights advocate, she founded the Dolores Huerta Foundation in 2002 as “a continuation of the non-violent civil rights movement of the 1970s.” The Foundation advocates for social justice for underrepresented populations through grassroots organizing and civic engagement.

Ms. Huerta’s legacy is undeniable, giving a much-needed voice to farmworkers and inspiring millions including women, immigrants, workers, and members of marginalized communities. She will be greatly missed for her unwavering dedication to making the world a better place for all. She lived her life according to her famous saying, “sí, se puede” (“yes we can”). AFM Local 47 sends our condolences to her family and friends.