Theatre Design & Technology - May 1966 - 9

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AREA
OFFICES

BRANCHES

LOCALS

AREA
OFFICES

9
AREA
OFFICES

Theatre Union Affiliations

LOCALS

2
LOCALS

Table 5

applicable public law, locals are obliged to strictly upon all parties. 19 There is an exception; this is in
adhere to the enforcing of closed shop conditions." 16 the case of negotiated contracts covering working
Using this as an example, we might examine ways by conditions in interstate commerce (i.e., traveling
which many unions, and in particular the AFM, orchestras, the recording industry, and network
achieve their industry control.
broadcasts). Here, the contract must be ratified by a
vote of the affected locals under the direction of
Since this union claims to represent all musical insuch organizations as the American Arbitration Asstrumental performers, it can enforce its provisions
sociation, the Honest Ballot Association, etc.
by refusing non-union players the right to work under
union auspices, or by prohibiting union members from
ASSOCIATION OF THEATRICAL PRESS AGENTS
playing unapproved engagements.
AND MANAGERS (ATPAM) Different from the perAs in many other unions, if an employer is placed on former's groups already discussed, ATPAM is the
any of three AFM lists (Unfair, Defaulter, or Forbid- first to be discussed of those which support and
den Territory), Federation members may not work for direct them.
him.
And on the other side, "If members render
ATPAM covers two types of employees, "those whose
servi ces for any person, person s, organ ization or
Vlork is the preparation or disseminationofpublicity,"
establishment declared Nationally Unfair or in Deand those who come under the genera I term" Front of
fault by the Federation, such action shall constitute
House. "20 The Association is approximately thirtygrounds for ... expulsion ... "1? A local can also place
a group on its own area list, but in order to enjoy the seven years old; it was founded on July 6, 1928, but
protection of the Federation, it must request the it did not gain official recognition as Union Number
18032 of the AFL-CIO until 1937.
latter's endorsement.
The membership is split into three groups:
the
Unlike some other theatre unions, the AFM does not
Managers, the Theatrical Press Agents (subdivided
rely on arbitration by persons or groups (such as the
into New York and Road Attraction members), and a
American Arbitration Association) outside the union.
Yiddish Group.
As in most areas of the theatre
The Federation specifies in its By-Laws 18 that every
business, there are more members than job openings.
grievance must be handled by the International Executive Board or by a committee of the Local in whose Membership, according to constitutional provisions,
jurisdiction the problem occurs. Local awards may is gained through an apprentice program. Although
be appealed to the International Board. The latter's the plan varies slightly according to the particular
decisions, as a rule, are considered final and binding group, apprentices must generally serve five years,

May 1966

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - May 1966