Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Meeting called to order at 11:09 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod, Cohen, Davis, Donovan, Frawley, Hoyt, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin.

President Krauthamer reported on matters pertaining to unemployment insurance for board members.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the AFM adoption of waivers of membership dues during the pandemic.

It was moved and seconded to adopt the following Local Union emergency pandemic policies effective as of March 1, 2020 and through June 30, 2020, in accordance with those adopted by the AFM IEB:

Local 802 will waive its bylaw requirements for any or all of late fees and reinstatement fees for its members who fail to pay quarterly membership dues in accordance with the local’s dates for such.

Local 802 will provide an extension on the automatic suspension or termination/expulsion of its members who fail to pay quarterly membership dues, to occur not later than six months from the first day of the period for which such dues would have been paid.

Local 802 will conduct its meetings of the Executive Board and committee meetings via electronic means (telephonic and videoconference) in accordance with the AFM IEB policies for holding electronic meetings. Such meetings will be held via Zoom or similar online technologies.

Local 802 will suspend its membership meetings until such time as public health officials deem it reasonably safe to resume public gatherings.

Discussion held.

Motion numbers #1 and #2 tabled, awaiting specific dates and language and pending an email poll of the board.

Motion #3 and #4 approved unanimously.

It was moved and seconded to allow elections and ratifications via secret ballot in accordance with AFM sanctioned election software.

Discussion held.

Motion carried unanimously.

Board recessed at 12:16.

Board reconvened at 12:29.

Krauthamer reported on a conference call with The Broadway League and COBUG representatives on matters pertaining to continuation of health care coverage for employees.

Discussion held.

Member Ann Kim, Chair, Orcherstra Committee, Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, present.

Financial Vice President Fisher and Kim reviewed a memorandum of agreement between Local 802 and Mostly Mozart Festival.

Discussion held.

Kim excused.

It was moved and seconded to approve the memorandum of agreement with Mostly Mozart Festival.

Discussion held.

Board recessed at 1:22.

Board reconvened at 1:27.

Controller Emelianova present.

Emelianova presented the January and February financial report.

Discussion held.

Emelianova excused.

Recording Vice President Schwartz reported on preparations by the Part-time Jazz faculty committee for the negotiation of a successor collective bargaining agreement between Local 802 and The New School.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that American Symphony Orchestra has received an agreement from AFM Electronic Media Services Division to stream performances during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion held.

Executive Board member Frawley reported on a conversation with a member pertaining to work dues.

Discussion held.

Adam excused. Meeting adjourned at 1:58 pm.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Meeting called to order at 11:09 a.m. by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President, Executive Board members Axelrod, Cohen, Davis, Donovan, Hoyt, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin.

Minutes of April 7, 2020 to be reviewed and approved via email.

President Krauthamer requested confirmation of an email poll in which the board approved for payment an invoice from Kevin Case of Case Arts Law for work on the negotiations between Local 802 and New York City Ballet.

It was moved and seconded to confirm the results of the board poll.

Discussion held.

Motion carried unanimously.

Krauthamer requested confirmation of an email poll in which the board adopted policies pertaining to the collection of Local 802 membership dues, and the temporary cessation of local membership meetings, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was moved and seconded to confirm the results of the board poll.

Discussion held.

Motion carried unanimously.

Krauthamer reported that he had sent a letter to AFM requesting a 90-day extension of Local 802 payments of the per capita dues.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported that the board will meet to discuss financial costs and planning for the fiscal year in light of the impact of the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported that an online gala was being planned by Metropolitan Opera.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the completion of the arbitration between Local 802 and New York Philharmonic and the expected receipt of an invoice from arbitrator Richard Bloch.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the status of negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement between Local 802 and DCINY.

Executive Board member Frawley present at 11:29.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on matters pertaining to Broadway musicians and their coverage under the Local 802 Musicians Health Fund.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the proposed stream of a film of the Disney on Broadway 25th Anniversary Concert to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids.

Discussion held.

Board recessed at 12:20.

Board reconvened at 12:34.

Member Steven Behnke present.

Behnke presented a proposal for broadening coverage of members’ engagements under union agreements.

Discussion held.

Behnke excused.

Financial Vice President Fisher reported on financial matters at the local.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that Bronx Arts Ensemble is creating new content for online distribution.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is considering the creation of new content online with compensation to the members.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that Stamford Symphony has released a performance online under the terms of its Integrated Media Agreement.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that Queens Symphony will elect two orchestra members to its board of directors.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that she will confer today with American Ballet Theatre regarding maintenance of health care coverage for the orchestra during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that the new memorandum of agreement between Local 802 and Mostly Mozart Festival is in the process of being ratified.

Discussion held.

Recording Vice President reported on the work by staff ongoing in the Recording Department during the pandemic to ensure musicians receive wage and residual checks.

Discussion held.

Discussion held on recent donations to the Local 802 Emergency Relief Fund.

Meeting adjourned at 1:49 p.m.

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod, Cohen, Davis, Donovan, Frawley, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin.

Minutes of April 14, 2020 to be reviewed and approved via email.

President Krauthamer announced that an email will be sent to members regarding financial grants offered by the Musicians Assistance Program and other services available to members, and reported on the updated ERF Web site and the new ERF Facebook page.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on recent union political activities.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the Not for Profit Off Broadway collective bargaining agreement.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported that he would be speaking at an online meeting with graduate music students attending Yale University.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on conversations with Broadway musicians and contractors regarding matters pertaining to Local 802 Musicians Health Fund and the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on matters pertaining to the Health Fund.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on financial projections for the local during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Board recessed at 12:37.

Board reconvened at 12:48.

Financial Vice President Fisher updated the board regarding union finances.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that she will holding weekly meetings with the finance department.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported on wages and health benefits as proposed to Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra during the canceled season.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that she had reached out to Manhattan Concert Productions regarding assistance to its orchestra members and was awaiting a response.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that she had reached out to rehearsal pianists employed by American Ballet Theatre and was awaiting a response.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that she would host a videoconference meeting on May 13, 2020 with the Classical Musicians Forum.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that she would speak online to a music business class taught by Hank Bordowitz at Bergen Community College.

Discussion held.

Recording Vice President Schwartz reported on work performed by staff during the closure.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on a videoconference meeting with representatives of Apollo Theatre and members of the Amateur Night at the Apollo band to discuss continuation of health coverage during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on an Allegro article pertaining to the utility of the AFM Single Song Overdub Agreement during the pandemic, as written by Executive Board member Donovan and other contributors.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on requests for streamed performances during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on the distribution to members of recording checks during the past week.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on videoconference meetings of the Part-time Jazz Faculty Committee of The New School in preparation for negotiations for a successor collective bargaining agreement between Local 802 and the employer.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on the participation by member Alvester Garnett of the Mayor’s Nightlife Committee in an online roundtable discussion along with representatives of the entertainment industry and Symone Sanders, Senior Advisor to presidential candidate Joe Biden.

Executive Board member Shankin discussed the potential impact of a worldwide financial crisis resulting from the pandemic and offered possible strategies for the local.

Discussion held.

Executive Board member Paisner requested information about staffing at the local during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Member Cecelia Hobbs Gardner present via videoconference.

Hobbs Gardner proposed the local offer a webinar on financial management during the pandemic, to be presented by Actors Fund of America.

Discussion held.

Hobbs Gardner excused.

Meeting adjourned at 2:14 pm.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Meeting called to order at 11:17 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod, Cohen, Davis, Donovan, Frawley, Hoyt, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin.

Minutes of April 21, 2020 to be reviewed and approved via email.

Financial Vice President Fisher reported that collective bargaining agreements would be expiring between Local 802 and Gay Men’s Chorus, Bronx Arts Ensemble, Little Orchestra Society, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, School of American Ballet, and New Jersey Festival Orchestra.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported that American Classical Orchestra would make contributions to the Local 802 Musicians Health Fund for the remainder of its scheduled concert season under the terms of its collective bargaining agreement with Local 802.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported on her lecture at Bergen Community College.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported on the conclusion of negotiations for a COVID-19 sideletter to the collective bargaining agreement between Local 802 and American Ballet Theatre.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported on matters pertaining to the plans of Mostly Mozart Festival during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Recording Vice President Schwartz announced the passing of long-time staff member Elaine Howard.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on the plan for managing mail during the closure of the union hall.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on activities in the Recording Department during the closure.

Discussion held.

Schwartz reported on the streaming of performance videos by members.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on federal subsidies applicable to Local 802 and its members.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the process for handling requests from employers to stream performance videos during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on matters pertaining to the Local 802 Musicians Health Fund.

Discussion held.

Board recessed at 12:30.

Board reconvened at 12:49.

Krauthamer reported on his call to the Orchestra Committee of Metropolitan Opera.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on his call to the Orchestra Committee of New York Philharmonic.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the status of negotiations for a collective bargaining agreement between Local 802 and DCINY.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the COVID-19 sideletter to the collective bargaining agreement between Local 802 and American Ballet Theatre.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on meetings of the Executive Board finance committee pertaining to financial projections for the local.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer and Executive Board members Frawley and Axelrod reported on a recent financial wellness webinar presented by Actors Fund of America.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported that a webinar would be presented on May 4, 2020 on the topic of unemployment law.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on a proposed agreement for the streaming of solo performances by Local 802 members for medical staff and patients to be presented by Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and NYC Health + Hospitals.

Discussion held.

Executive Board member Paisner requested information of the status of health coverage for Broadway musicians.

Discussion held.

Meeting adjourned at 1:55 pm.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Meeting called to order at 11:15 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod, Cohen, Davis, Donovan, Frawley, Hoyt, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin.

Minutes of April 28, 2020 to be reviewed and approved via email.

President Krauthamer reported on recent AFM agreements for the streaming of live performances.

Discussion held.

Managing Director Kantor present.

Krauthamer called the meeting into executive session at 11:21.

Krauthamer called the meeting out of executive session at 12:05.

Kantor excused.

Meeting recessed at 12:05.

Meeting reconvened at 12:18.

Krauthamer reported on the ERF Songs of Support initiative.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the matters pertaining to ERF fundraising.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on his conversation with U.S. Representative Yvette Clarke and Senator Charles Schumer on matters pertaining to the impact of COVID19 on union members.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported that an unemployment seminar was presented to members by Judy Conti of the D.C. Employment Justice Center.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on his discussions with various AFM local presidents regarding common issues of locals in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported that he would be speaking with the orchestra committee of New York Philhamonic tomorrow.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported that a sideletter between Local 802 and American Ballet Theatre was ratified by the orchestra members.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on the work of the Local 802 Finance Committee.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on matters pertaining to staffing at the local.

Discussion held.

It was moved and seconded to approve certain temporary changes to the staffing at the local due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion held.

Motion carried unanimously.

Krauthamer submitted three invoices from Spivak Lipton LLP for legal services as follows: An invoice in the amount of $893.74 relating to work on the 401(k); an invoice for general services during January 2020 in the amount of $6,662.50; and an invoice for general services during the month of February 2020 in the amount of $6,093.75.

It was moved and seconded to approve for payment the invoices from Spivak Lipton LLP as submitted.

Discussion held.

Motion carried unanimously.

Krauthamer reported on matters pertaining to payments due vendors.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer submitted an invoice in the amount of $60,824.32 from arbitrator Richard Bloch for services pertaining to an arbitration between Local 802 and New York Philharmonic.

It was moved and seconded to approve for payment the invoice from Richard Bloch as submitted and to be paid in monthly installments of $5,068.69.

Discussion held.

Motion carried unanimously.

Krauthamer reported on the status of Allegro printing.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer excused at 1:55. Financial Vice President Fisher assumed the chair.

Recording Vice President Schwartz reported on recent activities in the Recording Department during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Executive Board member Axelrod discussed matters pertaining to Legit 802 Inc.

Discussion held.

Axelrod inquired about new rules pertaining to the Tony Awards during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Executive Board member Hoyt inquired about the allocation of money to Local 802 from Music Performance Trust Fund.

Discussion held.

Meeting adjourned at 2:24 pm.

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Meeting called to order at 11:09 am by President Krauthamer via video conference necessitated by the need for social distancing relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Present: Financial Vice President Fisher, Recording Vice President Schwartz, Executive Board members Axelrod, Cohen, Davis, Donovan, Frawley, Hoyt, Kainuma, Paisner, Shankin.

President Krauthamer reported on matters pertaining to member performances created on the Zoom video conference application.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer called the meeting into executive session at 11:23.

Krauthamer called the meeting out of executive session at 11:47.

Controller Emilianova present.

Emelianova and Financial Vice President Fisher reviewed the Local 802 financial report for January and February 2020.

Discussion held.

Emilanova excused.

Keith Dressel and Cynthia Lachnicht of Morgan Stanley present.

Dressel and Lachnicht reviewed the status of the Local 802 investment portfolio.

Discussion held.

Dressel and Lachnicht excused.

Board recessed at 12:50.

Board reconvened at 1:08.

Principal Business Rep Weeks present.

Weeks presented a successor collective bargaining agreement between Local 802 and Roxy Coss LLC and the Emerging Artist Project agreement for renewal.

Weeks excused.

Discussion held.

Krauthamer reported on recent fundraising benefit streams involving Broadway productions.

Discussion held.

Recording Vice President Schwartz excused at 2 pm.

Executive Board member Hoyt took minutes.

Fisher reported on matters pertaining to rehearsal pianists employed by American Ballet Theatre.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported on matters pertining to Teatro Graticello.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported on matters pertaining to back wages in arrears from Westchester Philharmonic.

Discussion held.

Fisher reported on NYC Central Labor Council and the status of other area labor unions during the pandemic.

Discussion held.

Meeting adjourned at 2:25 pm.