STATE LABOR BOARD ISSUES COMPLAINTS

The New York State Employment Relations Board has now issued complaints against all former Steven Scott leaders who continue to book and perform club dates. Meetings have already been held with Ike Walkover Music and Entertainment and Todd Barrie Entertainment. Hearing dates are being scheduled for the remaining leaders: Marvin Austin Productions, Stuart White Productions and Anthony Mills Music. We will continue to keep you informed of developments.

Members performing engagements with Austin, White and Mills should continue to keep us informed of upcoming engagements. Calls may be made anonymously, 24 hours a day, to Local 802’s Steven Scott Hotline, at (212) 245-4802, ext. 116. Members may also call Long Island reps Frank DeFilippi or Peter Voccola at (516) 576-9436, club date rep Rich Schilio at (212) 245-4802, ext. 146, or club date supervisor Jim Hannen at ext. 141.

SHLOIME DACHS

In the April 2005 issue of Allegro we reported that club date employer Shloime Dachs signed a recognition agreement and agreed to negotiate with Local 802. In May 2006 Local 802 finalized negotiations with other employers in the field, expecting Dachs to honor his commitment and sign 802’s Jewish club date agreement. Although Dachs was invited to all negotiating meeting with employers and attended, he has refused to sign the agreement. Local 802 filed an unfair labor practice charge with the New York State Employment Relations Board. On Dec. 27, 2006 the board issued a complaint, citing Dachs’ refusal to bargain and sign the successor agreement. A pre-hearing conference is scheduled for Feb. 1, and the hearing is scheduled for Feb. 15. Any questions regarding Dachs or any signatories to the Jewish club date agreement should be directed to Peter Voccola, 802’s principal business rep on Long Island, at (516) 576-9436, or Marisa Friedman, 802’s teaching artist rep and organizer, at (212) 245-4802, ext. 130.

CLUB DATE HEALTH INCREASES

Due to the recent increases in the Local 802 Health Benefit Plan eligibility rates, contributions for all Single Engagement Club Date contracts will be increasing to $27 per musician per engagement from the old rate of $23, effective with all engagements taking place on or after Jan. 1, 2007. The contribution increase is allowed under the Club Date Agreement, article 4, section 2. Call Jim Hannen at (212) 245-4802, ext. 141 with any questions.