American Federation of Musicians' President Ray Hair Re-Elected

AFM president Ray Hair was re-elected by acclamation at the union?s Las Vegas convention, the organization announced Thursday. Hair has served as President of the AFM since August 2010. He has been a professional musician since 1964, performing as a freelance, club-date, recording and traveling musician. Previously the President of AFM Local 72-147 for more than 27 years, he was first elected to the AFM?s international executive board in 1989.

In addition, all members of the International Executive Board were re-elected: vice president Bruce Fife, Local 99 (Portland, Ore.); secretary-treasurer Sam Folio, Local 368 (Reno, Nev.); vice president from Canada Alan Willaert, Local 149 (Toronto); Tino Gagliardi, Local 802 (New York); Tina Morrison, Local 105 (Spokane, Wash.); Joe Parente, Local 77 (Philadelphia, Pa.); Dave Pomeroy, Local 257 (Nashville, Tenn.); Vince Trombetta, Local 47 (Los Angeles).? Also, John Acosta (Local 47) was elected to serve as the AFM delegate to the AFL-CIO Convention.

?I am honored to have been re-elected AFM International President,? said Hair. ?These are exciting and challenging times for professional musicians. Our message of unity has resonated with the delegates. We will look inward to harness the energy of our Executive Board and local officers to build a unity of purpose and a spirit of service for our members and for professional musicians everywhere.?

A presentation by the international executive board and directors, on the need for a proposed increase in per-capita dues increase, ?won over many skeptical convention delegates,? the union said in a statement. The new financial package will raise approximately $1.2 million annually, and will be used to bolster organizing and contract enforcement efforts, as well as augmenting services to Local officers and musicians.

Additionally, the delegates to the convention donated $60,200 to Local 30-73 for their support of the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. In addition to the loss of work dues from two lost seasons, the Local has incurred what the AFM called ?crippling? legal bills in negotiating for both orchestras during two lock-outs.

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