My Fellow Musicians,
I wish to thank you for electing me President of our AFM Local 655.
The task at hand is difficult but not impossible. Not just with the current contractual struggles with FGO, but with all the contract negotiations coming up in the near future. It is time for all the local's members to stand up and be counted. We all need to unite in support of each other's concerns.
It was great to see our brothers and sisters turn down employment, because it had been wrongly taken away from other members by management. I hope that all of our members would do the same, if put in that position. This would send a message to all musical managements in the state, that we are united under a common bond. Arbitrary firings will not be tolerated. Only through due processes, which can be worked out through negotiations, should a musician or anyone else be terminated. Musicians do not betray their respected colleagues.
We all need to serve ourselves, but to serve ourselves TOGETHER.
I look forward during my term as President to helping to improve the levels of job security, compensation, respect, and recognition for all musicians in our local.
Let's all continue this present climate of solidarity!
Fraternally yours,
Phil Tempkins