Aaron For AFM

Aaron Lack

Independent Candidate for AFM International Executive Board

Official Campaign Statement: As a Labor Leader in an Anti-Union State, I have focused on organizing and building communication between contrasting workplaces and generations. My own fight to improve the music industry through our Union is informed by over twenty years of AFM Membership and intensive experience: negotiating contracts for orchestras, theaters, single engagements, festivals, bar gigs, recording sessions, and national media agreements. The power of Musicians can only be built by engaged local union members who are willing to work together to improve our lives. I’m asking for your vote because I believe this perspective will be essential to our Union’s future.

Lack is currently serving his third term as President of The Austin Federation Of Musicians AFM Local 433, and is Vice President of AFM Southern Conference Of Locals, Local 433 MPTF Administrator, Lead Negotiator Austin Opera Orchestra Committee, Lead Negotiator Austin Symphony Orchestra Committee, and Negotiating Team Member AFM National Public Television Agreement. Lack also chairs Local 433’s New Member Orientation Committee, Newsletter Committee, and Wage Scale Committee. Lack also works as a Band Leader, a Freelance Side Musician, an Adjunct Music Professor, and a Private Lessons Teacher.

Lack’s vision for The AFM is to focus on organizing at the local level in underrepresented sectors of our industry, preserving institutional knowledge, and regaining knowledge that Musicians have lost in recent decades.

Freelance organizing outdoors Jan.2022
Picketing with future San Antonio Philharmonic Musicians and Local 23 S.T. Joan Carroll, Feb. 2022
2021 At The Opera
Invited Testimony Texas Senate Finance Committee April 2021
2022 Negotiating Workshop
Marching with IUPAT 550 member, Chuggy, Texas Capitol 2021
New Member Orientation with Daisy 2019
MusicianFest with Sonya June 2022
KAZI Lady Joy Gospel Show Interview 2019
Hanging after General Membership Meeting May 2022
KAZI East Side Radio Morning Show 2019
Discussions after General Membership Meeting May 2022
Filing Rock ‘N Roll Contracts with Blair December 2021
Marching for Voting Rights with Texas AFL-CIO June 20, 2021
CIO, Muskegon MI 2021
Speaking at Rally SXSW, March 2023
Marching Extend The Aid, with Actors Equity and IATSE, Texas Capitol, June 24, 2021
City Affairs Committee with Daisy and Tom, June 2019
Tabling at Austin Music Foundation June 2019
MusicianFest with JW September 2019
Leafleting SXSW with VP Russell K. Shores, March 2023
SXSW Rally with Zeke and Bandcamp United, March 2023
IR Visit with Nicole and Steve Begnoche, October 2019
Drumming up support with Austin Labor Council Pres. Jason Lopez and City Council Member ‘Zo Qadri, SXSW Rally, March 2023
Rallying with Zeke and Sadie, March 2023
Leafleting SXSW with S.T. Blair Robbins, Paul, V.P. Russell K. Shores, March 2023
Jam Session Committee Meeting with Shane and Terrance, 2019
  • Election Results
    Fellow Unionists, despite not winning a seat on the AFM International Executive Board, I am happy with the 2023 election results. Our Union’s new International Leadership contains experience and new ideas in excellent proportions and is comprised of union siblings that I love and respect. I expect to see a renewed commitment to organizing as… Read more: Election Results
  • Election Day
    Election DaySiblings, Brothers, and Sisters, it is time to exercise the representative democracy of Our Union. We have the opportunity to set the course for our industry so that we can live and work in dignity. We will grow our movement so that all of our work will be fulfilling and compensated fairly. We will… Read more: Election Day
  • A Message for You
    Siblings, Sisters, and Brothers, Worker Power is on the rise and Musician Power is no exception. As corporate greed is exposed, workers are realizing that their power has been with them all along. Musicians are once again learning to flex our collective muscle, rather than allowing our employers to divide us. As the Summer heat… Read more: A Message for You
  • A Message From Aaron Lack, Independent Candidate for AFM IEB
    Every Musician should feel empowered by Our Union to join us in the fight against exploitation. Negotiating and filing contracts through our Local Offices enables us all to achieve increased respect and bargaining power, which leads to better wages and working conditions. I believe we can accomplish this with increased focus on local organizing and… Read more: A Message From Aaron Lack, Independent Candidate for AFM IEB