Studio Beat

The AFM’s Sound Recording Labor Agreement (SRLA) expired on January 31, 2006. Negotiations between the AFM and the record companies began last October in New York. There were many complex issues to cover, and at times the discussions became intense. I was present the first week of negotiations, and Vice President Dan Warner attended subsequent meetings. The entire AFM team worked very hard on your behalf. Dan and I ensured that our particular issues were heard.

Negotiations concluded this past May 4, 2006. While the agreement is pending ratification, some of the highlights include:

Considering the challenges facing the record industry, I feel that we got a very good deal. President Lee, the AFM legal team, the Recording Musicians Association (RMA), the AFM Electronic Media Services Division (EMSD), and the entire AFM team are to be commended.

It’s apparent that the crisis in the record business is affecting us in many ways. Reduced sales mean less recordings and lower budgets. The labels are trying to survive the best they can. Meanwhile, many recording musicians are experiencing fewer sessions, and are often forced to accept low budget rates. Because of lower sales figures, the Music Performance Fund (MPF), which comes from the record companies, has experienced a decrease. This means less MPF gigs, and fewer opportunities to accomplish all of the good things that MPF does. Local 655’s allocation of MPF funds is significantly lower this year.

Those of us who’ve lived here for a while know summer is the “slow season.” In addition to catching up on sleep, household chores, and dealing with hurricane preparedness, these next few months are ideal for taking stock of your music career. If you find yourself with less work than you’d like, you may want to consider adding some possibilities, such as…teaching, recording, live performance, forming your own group, doing some MPF gigs, new marketing ideas, related services...

If you’re interested, I’ve got some thoughts I’d like to share with you. Please feel free to write or call  me at steve[at]afm655[dot]org or 954-925-1996. I’d love to hear from you!

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