“The EC pledged to put sustainability as one of its primary aims going forwards.” Photocredit: Musicians' Union
Day two of the MU Delegate Conference 2021 opened with music courtesy of the Up North Session Orchestra. Yesterday, conference was treated to live music from the Antonio Forcione Trio.
Sustainability as a primary aim
There were two motions and a great debate today on the climate emergency and how the MU can contribute to sustainability.
Discussions were held about how the MU can help members to change the way they work in a manageable way, without damaging their ability to work and perform, and the importance of tackling issues such as poverty at the same time.
The EC pledged to put sustainability as one of its primary aims going forwards, and to work with organisations that we already affiliate to such as Julie’s Bicycle and Music Declares Emergency to do what the union can to help deal with the climate emergency.
Further video addresses on Fix Streaming, Safe Space and more
Conference was addressed via video by Kevin Brennan MP, a long time MU friend and member. As a member of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Kevin played a vital role this year in producing the ground-breaking report on streaming, which recommends an overhaul of the system to ensure fair remuneration for musicians.
His speech urged MU members to take action by signing the latest Fix Streaming petition, tweeting, and emailing their MPs in support of the campaign’s aims.
UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin gave a strong message to conference about continuing to work with the MU to fix the issues caused by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Jamie singled out the MU’s industry leading work on sexual harassment and the Safe Space initiative.
Other video addresses were provided by Ray Hair, President of the AFM, and Joe Frankland, Chief Executive Officer at PRS Foundation. Joe highlighted the Keychange and Power Up initiatives, which both have the MU’s full support.
Call out on Government funding cuts to Higher Education
Other motions passed by conference today commit the MU to supporting the aims of the Alliance for Full Employment and to lobby government on tax relief and other strategies to benefit individual freelance musicians.
A number of the speakers at Conference took the opportunity to call out Government funding cuts to Higher Education music and arts subjects. The planned cut was confirmed yesterday just minutes after day one of MU Delegate Conference came to an end.
Members are urged to email their MPs to stop the funding cut as a matter of urgency.
Catch up with the highlights on Twitter, and key moments as they happened.