The Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC)

The Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC) was formed by the CFM in response to members' requests to address challenges that may arise in workplaces due to workplace misconduct, and in an effort encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion. The FEPC facilitated the CFM's partnership with #notme, an anonymous reporting platform which is offered free to CFM members to utilize should they encounter a difficult situation at work. The #notme app can and should be used to engage in open communications with the CFM about what you see happening in your workplace. Please read the article below for more information and download the #NotMe app to your phone!

Are you experiencing problems in your workplace? Has an employer failed to pay your wages? Are COVID-19 safety protocols not being enforced by the employer or venue? Are you feeling you’ve been forced to work in unsafe conditions such as dangerous sound levels? Have you witnessed a substitute player quietly endure unwanted behavior from a fellow member? Are you being subjected to verbal abuse such as belittling or intimidation? Do you find yourself avoiding a colleague out of fear of inappropriate advances? Is misconduct from others negatively affecting your ability to perform? Do you want a quick and easy way to connect with your union?

To do what we do as musicians involves intricate teamwork, trust and support among colleagues. Performing at a high level under pressure requires a certain level of comfort that can be disrupted when unexpected incidents occur. Occasionally we musicians may experience or witness inappropriate behavior in rehearsal or performance, which may make it difficult or impossible to do our best on the job. In many instances, when a problem arises, alerting the contractor or personnel manager is sufficient and necessary to address the situation. Sometimes, however, this course of action may not seem like an option. In these moments, remember that your union, the Chicago Federation of Musicians, is available to offer support and to be an advocate for fair employment practices. Generally, these issues are the responsibility of the employer to solve, but if the CFM is aware of what’s going on, members will feel less alone when they experience or observe problems at work.

The CFM’s Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC) would like to introduce you to the #NotMe app, which is available to all CFM members. The app allows you to report directly to the union in a swift and potentially anonymous fashion when you feel that your rights have been violated, that things are not working the way they are supposed to in the workplace or when you observe others being treated unfairly. This can include misconduct by colleagues, contractors, management, patrons – anyone who has an impact on your workplace. For union members, the #NotMe app serves as part of your PPE. It should be included in your gig checklist and is as important as your pencil. Collectively, the presence of the #NotMe app on members’ phones will act as a deterrent for inappropriate behavior. It is an opportunity for the CFM and its members to help create a culture of engagement in which we value not only everyone’s contribution to the performance, but everyone’s right to contribute in a safe and inclusive workplace. Learn The #NotMe app will also be used by the CFM to keep its members informed on important timely issues. It is a quick and easy resource to help you connect with all things union. To get started, download the #NotMe app by using the QR code on this page. Then link your app to our union with the CFM registration code: BACH (2224). Upon opening the app, your Newsfeed will appear. The Newsfeed options are “Policies,” which provides important information about your rights and responsibilities in the workplace. In the “Articles” section, you will find important CFM updates and messages as well as links to Intermezzo articles. This portion of the app is a helpful reference tool and another way for the CFM to relay important and timely information to its members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Members of the Fair Employment Practices Committee.

Chuck Bontrager

I joined 10-208 almost 25 years ago, and I am a 3rd generation Union member. I feel the future of organized labor is bright; I am hopeful from recent organizing successes, and I am excited by the energy and activism in our locals and player conferences. I am proud to be a part of our Local and the FEPC. Any period of change presents the opportunity to not only do things differently, but better. One of the ways we can remake our industry in the COVID-endemic era is by putting action and strength behind the principles that our workplaces must be safe and equitable, and every voice must count. Please download the #NotMe app, and take a few minutes to understand the basics of how it works. Think of it like a smoke detector or burglar alarm — hopefully you’ll never need it, but if you do, you’ll be very glad you have it.

Renée Vogen

I joined the FEPC because, as a freelancer, it can be challenging to know where to go when issues in the workplace arise. The #NotMe app will enable our members to feel safe reporting breaches of safety protocols and workplace misconduct as we all head back to work. Join us in striving to make our new professional environment even better than the one we left. Please download this app before your next gig. If you have any questions, you can reach me at rvogen@gmail.com.

James Sanders

Building a sense of community and creating a forum for discussion is an important part of creating equity and security in our profession. My role in the Fair Employment Practices Committee gives me an opportunity to help create that reality for the members of Local 10- 208. We have to be united in order to create security for our future. A great goal would be to connect our membership in a manner consistent with the technology of our current era, creating an online community giving ease of access and a voice to everyone in order to interact and support one another.

Vannia Phillips

I’ve been a proud CFM member since my student days at DePaul University... over 20 years ago! I have always appreciated the opportunity to belong to an organization that advocates for me and my fellow musicians to ensure a fair wage and a safe work environment. Our world is changing, mostly for the better, and the CFM is changing along with it. There is more awareness that bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination are not acceptable in the workplace. When I was asked to be a part of the FEPC, I immediately said yes to the opportunity to help further expand the safety of musicians’ work environments. I am excited to be on a committee which is seeking to empower our fellow musicians and protect them from bad behavior in the workplace. I would encourage my fellow musicians to download the #NotMe app. It is one of the tools we have to keep our work environment safe. You can document issues and either share them with the union or keep it as a record for yourself only. It is easy to use!

John Yeh

I am honored to serve you as a member of the Fair Employment Practices Committee of the CFM Local 10-208. During my 44 years as a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, I have been privileged to make music at a high level. To do what we do as musicians requires intricate teamwork and often happens under high pressure to produce the very best results. There simply is no room for bad vibes of any kind. Good vibes must be maximized. From time to time, as we perform our music, one may witness or be the victim of workplace misconduct. Whether it be harassment or bullying, dangerous or unethical behavior, these unfortunate situations degrade our work environment and must be eliminated. Your FEPC is here to help deal with any bad vibes. The #NotMe app is a valuable tool to report any and all instances of workplace misconduct. I urge you to become familiar with this app, and make use of it when appropriate. I am hopeful that we can all continue to make music in an atmosphere of goodwill and collaboration!

Chuck Bontrager

I joined 10-208 almost 25 years ago, and I am a 3rd generation Union member. I feel the future of organized labor is bright; I am hopeful from recent organizing successes, and I am excited by the energy and activism in our locals and player conferences. I am proud to be a part of our Local and the FEPC. Any period of change presents the opportunity to not only do things differently, but better. One of the ways we can remake our industry in the COVID-endemic era is by putting action and strength behind the principles that our workplaces must be safe and equitable, and every voice must count. Please download the #NotMe app, and take a few minutes to understand the basics of how it works. Think of it like a smoke detector or burglar alarm — hopefully you’ll never need it, but if you do, you’ll be very glad you have it.

Renée Vogen

I joined the FEPC because, as a freelancer, it can be challenging to know where to go when issues in the workplace arise. The #NotMe app will enable our members to feel safe reporting breaches of safety protocols and workplace misconduct as we all head back to work. Join us in striving to make our new professional environment even better than the one we left. Please download this app before your next gig. If you have any questions, you can reach me at rvogen@gmail.com.

James Sanders

Building a sense of community and creating a forum for discussion is an important part of creating equity and security in our profession. My role in the Fair Employment Practices Committee gives me an opportunity to help create that reality for the members of Local 10- 208. We have to be united in order to create security for our future. A great goal would be to connect our membership in a manner consistent with the technology of our current era, creating an online community giving ease of access and a voice to everyone in order to interact and support one another.

Vannia Phillips

I’ve been a proud CFM member since my student days at DePaul University... over 20 years ago! I have always appreciated the opportunity to belong to an organization that advocates for me and my fellow musicians to ensure a fair wage and a safe work environment. Our world is changing, mostly for the better, and the CFM is changing along with it. There is more awareness that bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination are not acceptable in the workplace. When I was asked to be a part of the FEPC, I immediately said yes to the opportunity to help further expand the safety of musicians’ work environments. I am excited to be on a committee which is seeking to empower our fellow musicians and protect them from bad behavior in the workplace. I would encourage my fellow musicians to download the #NotMe app. It is one of the tools we have to keep our work environment safe. You can document issues and either share them with the union or keep it as a record for yourself only. It is easy to use!

John Yeh

I am honored to serve you as a member of the Fair Employment Practices Committee of the CFM Local 10-208. During my 44 years as a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and of the Chicago Federation of Musicians, I have been privileged to make music at a high level. To do what we do as musicians requires intricate teamwork and often happens under high pressure to produce the very best results. There simply is no room for bad vibes of any kind. Good vibes must be maximized. From time to time, as we perform our music, one may witness or be the victim of workplace misconduct. Whether it be harassment or bullying, dangerous or unethical behavior, these unfortunate situations degrade our work environment and must be eliminated. Your FEPC is here to help deal with any bad vibes. The #NotMe app is a valuable tool to report any and all instances of workplace misconduct. I urge you to become familiar with this app, and make use of it when appropriate. I am hopeful that we can all continue to make music in an atmosphere of goodwill and collaboration!