1. JOHN F. SMITH
PRESIDENT, INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS (FIM) & GENERAL SECRETARY, BRITISH MUSICIANS’ UNION

2. PERFORMERS’ TRADE UNIONS, GUILDS & ASSOCIATIONS

3. WHAT ARE UK TRADE UNIONS, GUILDS & ASSOCIATIONS?

4. TRADE UNIONS/GUILDS/ ASSOCIATIONS
Organised collectives of people working within a given sector, which, through negotiation aim to improve pay and conditions.

5. A Trade Union: Is a representative democracy
Is governed by its members
Is administered by an internal democracy

6. TRADE UNIONS/GUILDS/ ASSOCIATIONS
Bodies which are recognised by governments and employers as appropriate organisations to represent the interests of their members.
Europe/N. America – most Unions have to be registered with the appropriate government department.

7. GOVERNANCE Takes place periodically but not too regularly
General Assembly / Convention / Congress / Conference
Takes place periodically but not too regularly
Annual / Biennial / Triennial

8. General Assembly / Congress
Delegates to Congress are elected either
On a geographical basis (Regions , branches) – or
On an industrial basis (jazz, recordings, folk, classical, teaching)

9. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL / COMMITTEE / BOARD
Ruling Executive body –
Council or Committee (EC)
Elected by members on a geographical or industrial basis
Limited term of office (maximum three-years)
Has all the powers of the Union, however…
Individual EC members have no power unless it is explicitly bestowed by the EC

10. GENERAL SECRETARY / PRESIDENT
CEO of the Union
Depending on national legal framework is:
Appointed by Congress or EC, or
Is elected by members
Is subject to reelection/appointment
BMU 5 years, AFM 3 years

11. CHAIRMAN / PRESIDENT Vice-Chairs / Vice Presidents
Elected by members or by EC
Chairs the meetings
Figurehead for Union
Together with Vice-Chairs / Vice Presidents forms a day-to-day administrative committee

12. UK ‘TALENT UNIONS’
Equity– Actors, Dancers, Variety/Circus Artists, Singers
Writers’ Guild of Great Britain – Script Writers, Authors
Musicians’ Union – Instrumentalists, Music Writers, Vocalists

13. BRITISH MUSICIANS’ UNION
Founded 1893
Amalgamated Musicians’ Union
London (National) Orchestral Association
Merger 1921

14. NATIONAL GOVERNANCE
Members elect Executive Committee (19 persons) by postal ballot – elected by Regions
Members elect General Secretary by postal ballot for a five year term of office
Biennial Delegate Conference
General Secretary appoints officials/staff on behalf of the Executive Committee

15. REGIONAL GOVERNANCE
6 Regions – Scotland/Northern Ireland; North of England; Midlands; Wales/South West England; East/South East England; London
Regional Committees elected by postal ballot
Regions elect delegations to the Biennial Conference

16. SECTIONS Based on type of work Membership open to all BMU members
Bi-annual Newsletter
Elected Committee
Role is to advise and to recommend

17. INDUSTRIAL SECTIONS Recording & Broadcasting Section
Live Performance Section
Orchestra Section
Equalities Committee
Teachers Section

18. Women BAME LGBT Disabled
EQUALITIES
Women
BAME
LGBT
Disabled

19. COMMUNICATIONS Union Journal ‘The Musician’
eBulletin – every two weeks
Members’ Handbook
Website
Regional & Section Newsletters (one hard copy; three s)

20. Twitter - @WeAreTheMU Facebook Instagram
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

21. BMU Jurisdiction
Performers IP Rights acquired by Collective Bargaining Agreements
Non-Featured
Orchestral / Theatre Musicians
Session Musicians

22. Unique Role Intellectual Property Rights Administration
Debt Recovery Service
Standard Contracts
Contract Advisory Service
Partnership Advisory Service
Insurance – Public Liability, Instrument & Equipment

23. THE ROLE OF A MUSICIANS’ UNION
Collective Responsibility
“Oils the Wheels”
“Managers of Discontent”
A voice for the artisan / jobbing musician

24. THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS