TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2000

Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Gale, Giannini, Hafemeister, Rosen, Shankin, Simon and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens.

Senior Business Rep Lennon appeared before the board to show a video of Local 802’s portion of the SFX promotional CD-ROM. The board was pleased with the results and congratulated Lennon, who was then excused. (See July 18 and Aug. 8 minutes.)

President Moriarity informed the board that the live Broadway on Broadway show had used a segment of recorded music. He said he informed the League of Local 802’s displeasure with the recorded music segment, especially since MPTF funds this event in an amount exceeding $18,000 for the musicians’ wages and benefits.

Moriarity reported on the status of the ABC News request to film a clip of Annie Get Your Gun for the Cheryl Ladd biography to be shown on the A&E network. (See Aug. 29 and Sept. 5 minutes.) The orchestra had agreed to the request, with the proviso that a mention or credit of live music be given at some point during the show. ABC cited editorial independence and refused to agree to that condition.

Sept. 5 minutes unanimously approved as amended.

Assistant Supervisor of National Contracts Schaffner, Director of New Organizing Dubnau and Senior Business Rep Rodriguez appeared before the board to report on the recent MTV Awards show. Schaffner described how a segment of this nonunion show involving a nonunion record company had been turned into a union engagement. The Reunion Record Company of Nashville, a Zomba Records subsidiary, became signatory and signed the AFM agreement on behalf of the Jive record label, the producer of the show segment. Discussion held, after which Schaffner and the recording representatives were congratulated for their good work and all were excused.

Member Paul Dunkel, conductor of the Westchester Philharmonic, appeared before the board to request Local 802’s recommendation to the Trustee of MPTF for approval of a project to allocate funds for up to ten professional musicians to augment an orchestra of approximately 20 amateur NYC high school musicians, which will play two children’s concerts at the 92nd Street Y. The music was written by Aaron Copland to be performed by amateur high school students. Discussion held. Motion made and carried unanimously to recommend this project for MPTF funding, provided that the core of the orchestra is comprised of high school students and non-professional players in addition to the ten professional musicians deemed necessary to the project. Recording Vice-President Price was directed to submit this project to the MPTF Trustee for approval. Dunkel excused.

Moriarity reported on the status of the NYC Ballet contract, which has not yet been signed.

Motion made and carried unanimously to purchase two tickets at $100 each, for a total of $200, to the NYS Labor-Religion Coalition fundraiser.

Motion made and carried unanimously to purchase three tickets at $35 each, for a total of $105, from TEMPO 802 for a fundraiser for NYC Councilmember from Queens Sheldon Leffler.

Motion made and carried unanimously to purchase two tickets at $200, for a total of $400, for the 25th annual Labor Research Association awards dinner.

Discussion held on legal counsel Leibowitz’ request to participate in the AFM-EP Fund as an employee of Local 802 through a music services collective bargaining agreement.

Meeting recessed at 1:25 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 2:20 p.m.

Present: Moriarity, Price, Blumenthal, Gale, Giannini, Hafemeister, Rosen, Shankin, Simon, Weiss, Bogert, Dennison and Owens.

Moriarity reported on the organizing effort in Atlantic City. He noted that there are now elected officers in Local 661-708 and that former trustee Gene Tournour of the AFM Organizing Department is now serving as a consultant to Local 661-708.

Financial Vice-President Search Committee members Bradford, Biddlecome and Elfenbein appeared before the board to present the recommendation that Senior Business Rep David Lennon be appointed to the position of Director/Administrator of the Concert Department and assistant to the Financial Vice-President. The committee was thanked and excused. Hafemeister and Giannini excused due to their candidacy for the position. Discussion held. Motion made and carried to accept the Financial Vice-President Search Committee’s recommendation of David Lennon as Assistant Director in the office of the Financial Vice-President. Opposed: Weiss.

Motion made to appoint a part-time Financial Vice-President. Further discussion ensued.

A motion was made to appoint a full-time Financial Vice-President. Opposed: Blumenthal, Rosen, Shankin, Simon. Motion falls due to lack of five affirmative votes.

Price submitted a request from Jerry Jacobs, producer of the Nov. 4 Interfaith Committee of Remembrance concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, that this concert be performed at public service scale. This free concert, open to the public, meets Local 802 public service guidelines. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Moriarity submitted an agreement with Peter Hyde, d.b.a. Cherniak Dance Co., for rehearsals and performances at Cunningham Dance Studios. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request of the Cherniak Dance Co. to videotape four performances for a previously-signed grant application recording agreement that specified a maximum of three performances for videotaping.

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2000

Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Hafemeister, Rosen, Shankin and Simon, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens.

Assistant to the President Dennison played the final cut of Local 802’s portion of the SFX promotional CD ROM. Discussion held.

President Moriarity notified the board that had he met with the Financial Vice-President Search Committee and had discussed a recommendation he intended to make to the Executive Board regarding the appointment of a Financial Vice-President. Moriarity recommended to the board that Board Member Hafemeister be appointed full-time Financial Vice-President and assistant director in accordance with the bylaws. Discussion held.

Taken from the table was the motion to appoint a part-time Financial Vice-President. Motion made to appoint a part-time Financial Vice-President. Opposed: Price, Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Hafemeister, Rosen, Shankin and Simon. Motion fails.

Motion made and carried unanimously to appoint Board Member Hafemeister full-time Financial Vice-President and assistant director. Hafemeister recused from voting.

Motion made and carried unanimously to define the supervisory duties of the Financial Vice-President as follows: Music Preparation Department, New Organizing and Member and Staff Education, in addition to the duties outlined in the bylaws, with this appointment to be effective immediately.

Motion made and carried unanimously that David Lennon be given full and complete authority over the concert field, under the direct oversight of the Executive Board, and supervision of Broadway Field Services, under direction of the Theatre Department.

Moriarity submitted a request from the Metropolitan Opera Associate Musicians for payment from the Members Legal Services Fund of $5,500 to legal counsel I. Philip Sipser for negotiation services. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Hafemeister submitted a Music Preparation Services contract with Manhattan Theatre Club for a production of A Class Act. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Meeting recessed at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 2:15 p.m.

Present: Moriarity, Price, Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Rosen, Shankin, Simon, Bogert, Dennison and Owens.

Senior Business Rep Donovan appeared before the board to present an agreement with Eric Krebs Theatrical Management for a show entitled Tallulah Hallelujah at the Douglas Fairbanks Theatre. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve. Donovan excused.

Discussion held on the use of the Members Legal Services Fund by Metropolitan Opera Orchestra musicians to pay for legal counsel engaged to negotiate a pension reopener required by their agreement. Motion made and carried unanimously that, in accordance with Article III, Section 11, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra musicians be granted $15,000 from the Members Legal Services Fund for their pension reopener negotiations, to explore becoming a component of the AFM-EP Fund. Hafemeister present at 2:48 p.m. during that discussion.

Senior Organizer Elsila appeared before the board to submit an agreement with the New York Grand Opera. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Elsila submitted an agreement with the Peniel Concert Choir. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve. Elsila excused.

Discussion held on the associate conductor’s premium in Broadway shows. Moriarity notified the board that management refusal to pay the premium in some circumstances had resulted in a recent arbitration award in favor of the union’s position that payment of the premium was always required, retroactive to October 1998.

Crow excused at 3:45 p.m. Dennison excused.

Controller Bogert submitted salary adjustments for supervisory personnel to be effective on their respective anniversary dates. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the August 2000 vouchers

Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2000

Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Rosen, Shankin and Simon, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens, Concert Department Assistant Director Lennon.

Sept. 12 minutes unanimously approved as amended

Board member Weiss present at 11:42 a.m.

President Moriarity advised the board of the status of the ABC news request to film a segment of Annie Get Your Gun for the A&E biography of Cheryl Ladd. Theatre Supervisor Dennison and Supervisor of Broadway Field Services Lennon outlined the events leading to the orchestra’s present offer to allow the filming as requested. If the clip used in the televised program includes videotape material showing Cheryl Ladd promoting the virtues of live music, payment will be waived. If it is aired without this material, payment will be due.

Motion made and carried to reconsider the approval of the request to waive payment of the orchestra. Opposed: Price. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Moriarity reported on a meeting with John Miller, music production supervisor, and other production personnel involved in a new Roundabout Theatre production of Follies to be presented at the Belasco Theatre, beginning in March of 2001, for 18 weeks. Under the League contract, this theatre has a minimum of three musicians. The company is willing to engage 14 musicians. Management has requested that the rehearsal pianist, who is not a regular member of the orchestra, be the associate conductor. Discussion held, after which Moriarity indicated that he will bring this request from management to the Music Directors’ Committee for their input.

Controller Bogert distributed financial reports for August 2000. Discussion and explanation of the report followed.

Financial Vice-President Hafemeister submitted a proposal for construction of a fourth floor office for Assistant Director Lennon, at a cost of $4,900. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Hafemeister submitted a proposal to purchase furniture and accessories for the Financial Vice-President’s office, for a total cost of $3,112. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Price submitted a request for an honorarium to be paid to an employee for coordinating Local 802’s participation in the Labor Day Parade. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Price reported to the board that the Salvation Army, which owns the adjoining vacant lot, is planning to build a structure at the 47th Street part of the property. To prepare for the pending construction, the Salvation Army commissioned an engineering study which examined Local 802’s building in great detail, and they are asking for acknowledgement of receipt of the report. Discussion held, after which Price was directed to ask Brian Weld, our real estate consultant, to appear before the board with information regarding the report.

Board member and Central Labor Council delegate Rosen reported to the board that the CLC is in financial difficulties and will be cutting back on some services, and will also be requesting a raise in the CLC dues of its affiliates.

Meeting recessed at 1:10 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 2:15 p.m.

Present: Moriarity, Price, Hafemeister, Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Rosen, Shankin, Weiss, Bogert, Dennison, Owens and Lennon.

Senior Business Rep Donovan appeared before the board to present a contract with the Gorey Details, N.Y.L.P., for the productions of a show entitled The Gorey Details at the Century Theatre. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Simon present at 2:35 p.m.

Donovan submitted a non-commercial reading agreement with Lee Moskof, producer, King Island Company, for rehearsals and the reading production of King Island Christmas at SIR Studio. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Donovan submitted a non-commercial workshop agreement with Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Inc., d/b/a Lincoln Center Theatre, for the workshop production of Thou Shalt Not at Lincoln Center Rehearsal Studio. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Moriarity played the Local 802 commercial radio announcements that will be aired on WINS radio as the kickoff to the Live Music Campaign.

Assistant Supervisor of National Contracts/Recording Department Schaffner, Senior Business Representatives Sheldon and Rodriguez, and Business Representative Agdern appeared before the board to present the Recording Department’s Plan of Work. Schaffner distributed a memorandum that outlined the department’s activities, accomplishments and projections for the future, and made a presentation in detail about his memorandum. He was thanked and excused.

Crow excused at 4:00 p.m.

Sheldon, Rodriguez, Agdern, Bogert, Dennison and Lennon were excused while the board held executive session.

After the executive session Hafemeister submitted a grant application recording request from the Hora Decima Brass Ensemble for permission to record their Oct. 2 concert at the Church of the Holy Trinity. A contract has been filed for this engagement, and a business representative will attend a rehearsal to take a vote of the participating musicians for their approval of the request. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request, with the proviso that the musicians also vote to approve.

Meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2000

Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Financial Vice-President Hafemeister, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Rosen, Shankin, Simon and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens, Assistant Director of Concerts Lennon.

Sept. 19 minutes unanimously approved as amended.

President Moriarity informed the board that the recent appointment of board member Hafemeister to Financial Vice-President had created a vacancy on the board which should be filled. Discussion held.

The Strategic Planning meeting was rescheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 3.

Real estate consultant Brian Weld, of Collier’s HBR, appeared before the board at the board’s invitation to discuss the engineering report submitted by Dinan Associates as a result of pending construction on the property adjacent to Local 802. During the discussion, Weld suggested that the report be reviewed by Tom Waldron of his firm who would then inspect the building, if necessary, and report back to the Executive Board. Price was directed to contact Waldron.

Financial Vice-President Hafemeister submitted a request for payment of $262 to Cornell University for a Summer School-Union Leadership course attended by member Lee Soper. Motion made and carried unanimously to pay this expense.

Motion made and carried unanimously to express support for the AFM endorsement in the national election of Democratic candidates Gore and Lieberman for President and Vice-President.

Motion made and carried unanimously to endorse Hillary Rodham Clinton for U.S. Senate from New York.

The New York Public Library submitted a request to use a one-minute audio clip of an archival tape of A Chorus Line on an NPR radio broadcast to honor Betty Corwin, retiring Director of Theatre, Film & Tapes Archive. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Price submitted for concurrence and payment by the Executive Board an allocation by the CAC for legal fees for a project entitled “To establish ‘The Brooklyn Four Plus One’ as a non-profit organization.” Discussion held. This item was tabled and Price was directed to obtain the CAC’s Sept. 19 minutes for further information, and also to arrange a joint meeting with the CAC for a discussion of legal fee payments.

The CAC had also allocated $3,000 for expenses for a Musicians with Dystonia concert on Oct. 18 at Weill Recital Hall. Motion made and carried unanimously to concur with the CAC. Motion made and carried unanimously to purchase two tickets at $250, for a total of $500, for the Musicians with Dystonia concert.

Meeting recessed at 1:00 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 2:15 p.m.

Present: Moriarity, Price, Hafemeister, Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Rosen, Shankin, Simon, Weiss, Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison and Owens.

Political Director West appeared before the board to discuss the upcoming national elections. She informed the board of an AFL-CIO initiative to enlist unions to activate members to participate in political activities such as leafleting at workplaces on Thursday, Oct. 12, and to inform members of labor’s endorsement of various candidates in the upcoming elections. West also solicited board participation in election day activity at various sites. West excused.

Board member Rosen informed the board that, at the next Central Labor Council meeting, delegates will be asked to vote to increase dues from 15 to 20 cents per member per month. Discussion held. Rosen directed to speak to the issue at the next CLC meeting. Motion made and carried unanimously to pay the increase, with the proviso that the 13th month dues payment is eliminated. Rosen was directed to address the issue at the delegates’ meeting.

Moriarity reported on the status of negotiations with Madison Square Garden for their production of A Christmas Carol. Discussion held. Lennon present at 3:25 p.m.

Senior Organizer Elsila appeared before the board to submit an agreement with the Westchester Symphony Orchestra. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve. Elsila excused.

Price reported to the board that he had granted the following leaves of absence:

1. Sandra Billingslea, from the Broadway production Miss Saigon, from Sept. 4-17, to play the Dance Theatre of Harlem at City Center, with the proviso that she not substitute in Miss Saigon during that period.
2. Claudia Hafer, from the Broadway production The Lion King, to extend her prior leave of absence from Sept. 3 until Oct. 3, for personal reasons.
3. Gayle Dixon, from the Broadway production The Phantom of the Opera, from Sept. 4-9, to play the Dance Theatre of Harlem at City Center, with the proviso that she not substitute in …Phantom… during that period.
4. Belinda Whitney, from the Broadway production Beauty and the Beast, from Sept. 5-10, for personal reasons.
5. Natalie Cenovia Cummins, from the Broadway production Beauty and the Beast, from Aug. 22-27 and from the Sept. 2 evening performance until Sept. 10, to attend chamber music festivals.
6. Valerie D. Naranjo, from the Broadway production The Lion King, from Sept. 20-Oct. 1, to prepare a CD and attend Saturday Night Live rehearsals, with the proviso that she not substitute in The Lion King during that period.
7. Anthony Brackett, from the Broadway production The Music Man, from Sept. 26-29, for personal reasons.
8. Doug Oberhamer, from the Broadway production Swing!, from Aug. 28-Oct. 1, for personal reasons.
9. Mitchell Weiss, from the Broadway production Les Misérables, from Sept. 26-Nov. 19, to perform with the Metropolitan Opera orchestra, with the proviso that he not substitute in Les Misérables during that period.
10. Jeffrey Lang, from the Broadway production Beauty and the Beast, from Sept. 10-15, Sept. 20-22 and Sept. 27-28, to play rehearsals and concerts in Los Angeles and New York City, with the proviso that he not substitute in Beauty and the Beast during those periods.
11. Robert Keller, from the Broadway production The Lion King, from Sept. 25-Oct. 22, for personal reasons.
12. Katherine Fink, from the Broadway production Beauty and the Beast, from Sept. 5 until the Sept. 17 matinee performance, to play the Dance Theatre of Harlem at City Center, with the proviso that she not substitute in Beauty and the Beast during that period.

Recording Supervisor Schaffner, contractor Red Press and producer Joey Parnes appeared before the board to discuss a benefit production for Yale University Drama School on Nov. 13. This would be a live performance in New York utilizing an orchestra of 24 musicians, who would be paid single engagement club date show scale. A live orchestra would also be engaged for a show in Los Angeles and both venues would be connected by closed-circuit television, which would also be shown simultaneously to an audience in New Haven. Press and Parnes requested a waiver of the fee for the television transmission. Discussion held. Moriarity informed Press and Parnes that he would notify them of the board’s decision. Press and Parnes excused.

Crow excused at 3:50 p.m.

Meeting recessed at 3:50 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 4:00 p.m.

Moriarity reported on a telephone call to Los Angeles Local 47 for information regarding the closed-circuit TV engagement.

Assistant to the President Dennison submitted an agreement with Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Inc., d/b/a/ Lincoln Center Theatre, for the production of Patti Lupone – Matters of the Heart at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Assistant Director Lennon submitted a contract with Metropolitan Repertory Ballet, Inc., for an engagement at Manhattan Center on Oct. 7 and rehearsals Oct. 6 and 7. Discussion held with regard to the category of the venue. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the contract.

Dennison submitted negotiating expenses of $500.60 for Radio City Music Hall Committee member Mario De Ciutiis. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Controller Bogert distributed the vouchers as of September 30, 2000.

Meeting adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2000

Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Recording Vice-President Price, Executive Board members Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Rosen, Shankin, Simon and Weiss, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Supervisor of Concerts Lennon, and member Marilyn Reynolds. Financial Vice-President Hafemeister excused to attend to union business.

President Moriarity reported on the status of Madison Square Garden Christmas Carol negotiations.

Moriarity informed the board that the C.W. Post College faculty union had notified him that they are in negotiations with the college administration and will be setting up a picket line Saturday evening outside the Tilles Center, the concert venue on campus. The Mostly Mozart orchestra is scheduled to play a concert at Tilles Center Auditorium Saturday evening. The teachers’ union will notify Mostly Mozart management of the impending action. Discussion held.

Member Reynolds was excused.

Motion made and carried unanimously to appoint member Marilyn Reynolds to the Executive Board to fill the vacancy created by Financial Vice-President Hafemeister’s appointment to her present post. Reynolds returned and was informed of the appointment.

Financial Vice-President Hafemister present at 12:10 p.m.

Discussion held on the Executive Board meeting schedule.

Assistant Director Lennon present at 12:15 p.m. Lennon gave an updated report on the Mostly Mozart situation.

Moriarity and board member Simon excused to attend a press conference at the New York Philharmonic for the official signing of an agreement for a new CD release of the orchestra’s archival material entitled “The Bernstein Years.”

Sept. 20 minutes unanimously approved.

Reynolds excused at 1:00 p.m.

A report was made by Assistant to the President Dennison of management’s proposal regarding the position of associate conductor for the show Follies (see Sept. 13 minutes).

Weiss excused at 1:02 p.m.

Dennison reported on progress in the arbitration regarding the failure of Saturday Night Fever to engage the minimum sized orchestra required by the Broadway agreement.

Meeting recessed at 1:05 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 2:25 p.m.

Present: Price, Hafemeister, Blumenthal, Crow, Gale, Giannini, Rosen, Shankin, Bogert, Dennison, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens, Lennon.

Price submitted a request from Queens Festival Concert Band for permission to allocate its two-hour concert time as follows: a half-hour rehearsal, half-hour break and a one-hour concert without additional compensation for the rehearsal. Discussion held. Motion made and carried unanimously to deny the request. Moriarity and Simon present at 2:35 p.m. during the previous discussion.

Further discussion held on the Madison Square Garden negotiations.

Controller Bogert distributed a pricing proposal for 30,000 printed membership cards. Discussion held on different kinds of cards and the respective cost. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the purchase for approximately $5,000 of two-color laminated membership cards in the required window envelope.

After more discussion, motion made and carried unanimously that Controller Bogert explore various kinds of hard plastic cards with the new union logo.

Financial Vice-President Hafemmeister distributed an Education plan of work, arrived at in collaboration with Dennison. Discussion held on the plan, which included a proposal and budget for an Education Director and an outline of the proposed department’s priorities and goals. The discussion also included rank-and-file committee duties and responsibilities. A request was made for more detailed budget information.

Crow excused at 4:10 during the previous discussion.

Meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.