Delegates' Meeting in fine weather
The fact that the USDAM delegates' meeting lasted just one hour is not a sign that there were no problems, but rather that the Swiss musicians' union is a well-run association, where there was no need to discuss annual reports and budgets.
In fine summer weather, this year's USDAM Delegates' Meeting was held at the venerable Schweizerhof Hotel in Lucerne. Co-president Muriel Noble, from Geneva, welcomed the delegates and a number of guests. Lucerne Chapter Co-President Iwan Jenny briefly recounted the exceptional history of this establishment, which opened in 1845 and has remained in the possession of a Lucerne family ever since, welcoming many important personalities such as Richard Wagner. A milestone in the hotel's history: the peace negotiations following the Sonderbund War, the last military conflict on Swiss territory. Iwan Jenny sees an optimistic view of the future in the fact that the hotel has overcome all crises. At the moment, the cultural discussion in Lucerne is dominated by the future transformation of the theater, which is not unanimously supported.
Gabriela Medici, Central Secretary of the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions, pointed out in her welcome address that for women, a good education does not necessarily lead to a good salary - a topic that is still very topical just a few days after the feminist strike. She did, however, declare that bourgeois women politicians will collaborate on issues such as maternity protection, even though they have distanced themselves from the feminist strike. Ms Medici recalled that the idea of "working more for less money" is unfortunately favoured in parliament, while real wages have already fallen for three consecutive years. Pensioners are particularly at risk, as the 2e This means that a great deal of purchasing power is lost. The USS Central Secretary notes that pension funds are doing well, while pensioners are not. She has high hopes for the three forthcoming popular votes on retirement issues, such as the 13-member pension scheme.e pensions, and sees a glimmer of hope in the feminist strike of June 14.
After a minute's silence in memory of deceased members, the minutes of the AD 2022, the activity reports of the sections and FIM, and the USDAM annual accounts were approved. The Management Committee attested to the USDAM's excellent administration, and discharge was granted to the Central Committee and Central Secretary. The 2023 budget was also unanimously approved. The transfer of the death fund to the USDAM Foundation and the revision of the cost regulations were also approved.
Co-Chairman Davide Jäger reported on the Presidents' Conference, which agreed, among other things, to a revision of the fee schedule for short services such as religious ceremonies and funerals. Section fees for freelancers, which until now had complicated registration for new USDAM members, have been harmonized. A possible merger with Sonart has not yet been definitively discussed. A special conference is planned on this subject.
Delegates were able to take advantage of the short duration of the meeting for informal discussions between members of the various sections.
The minutes of this meeting will be published on the USDAM website and may also be consulted at the Central Secretariat.
