TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Rizzo, Roach, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of May 27, 2007. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. Vice President Blumenthal and Board member Norrell present at 11:20 a.m.

Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm a phone poll endorsing the election of Elizabeth Crowley to New York City Council representing the 30th Council District. 

Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm a phone poll allowing a single camera recording of songs from two Broadway shows for the purpose of training signers for the hearing impaired. Board member Schaffner present at 11:30 a.m.

Landolfi reported on the status of efforts to resolve orchestra size issues at the Broadway production of “CryBaby.”

Landolfi requested approval for the engagement of a parliamentarian for the June 11, 2008 Membership Meeting. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi reported on her attendance at a meeting of Trustees of the American Federation of Musicians and Employers Pension Fund. Discussion held.

Dennison reported that the Recording Department had received payment for a one-hour documentary television program under the terms of the AFM Television Film Agreement from the Broadway production of “Young Frankenstein”.

Dennison requested the purchase of a.5-page color advertisement for the Local 802 referral service in the magazine Manhattan Bride at a cost of $2,000 from the public relations budget. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Dennison requested that Local 802 join the host committee for the Annual Gala fundraiser for the Metro New York Health Care for All Campaign at a cost of $250. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Financial Vice President Blumenthal presented an agreement with The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Inc. Discussion held.

Blumenthal requested normal scheduled salary increases for four staff members. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the requested salary increases.

Computer Department Supervisor Kayne appeared before the Board and requested payment of $10,729.13  for additional costs incurred in the upgrade of the union’s server. Discussion held. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Johansen, Norrell, Rizzo, and Schwartz. Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of June 3, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

President Landolfi reported that a documentary being produced on the Broadway production of “Chorus Line” using archival footing from the original production was still being planned and that payments to those involved in the original production would be required as per a previous discussion in the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds.

Landolfi reported that Cindy Green had been hired as the new social worker to staff the office of the Musicians Assistance Program.

Landolfi reported that the additional musicians had been hired to fill the minimum orchestra size requirements at the Broadway production of “Cry-Baby” and that the president’s office was investigating the possibility of a grievance over certain aspects of their employment. Discussion held.

Landolfi reported on a meeting with a computer consultant regarding the union’s technology needs. Board member Giannini present on 11:15 a.m.

Financial Vice President Blumenthal reported on a potential problem involving the American Ballet Theatre contract. 

Dennison requested the promotion of Jazz Representative Todd Weeks to the position of Senior Representative. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Dennison reported on the status of the planned software upgrade for the Local 802 Health Fund. Owens present at 11:30 a.m. Discussion held.

Dennison presented a request from member Anthony Scelba for an advance of $1,817.95 for expenses regarding his attendance at the 2008 ROPA Conference in Houston, Texas July 28 to Aug. 1, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve an advance of $1,742.95.

Financial Vice President Blumenthal reported on the work of the Board’s Financial Subcommittee.

Motion made and seconded to honor the affirming vote of the Executive Board to accept the recommendation of the Limited Pressing Committee regarding cast albums by consulting the RMA Player conference in a timely way and prior to any presenting of the proposal to the IEB. Discussion held. Motion made and passed to table the motion. Opposed: Burridge, Giannini and Schwartz.

Meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11, 2008 MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Meeting called to order at 5:15 p.m. by President Landolfi having determined that a quorum had been achieved. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Norrell, Roach, Schaffner and Schwartz, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens, Trial Board Chairman Price, Trial Board Secretary Goletz, and Trial Board members Blanc, Reynolds and Schneck.

President Landolfi introduced the parliamentarian Eli Merchant.

Landolfi read the proposed standing rules for the meeting.

Landolfi informed the body that there were two sets of charges to be considered, one filed by member John Babich against Board member Johansen, the other filed by Babich against Board member Schaffner and that the charges having been filed at the same time would be considered in alphabetical order.

Member Babich objected to the order of the charges being heard. Discussion held. Babich withdrew the charges filed against Johansen.

Landolfi reported that the charges filed by Babich against Schaffner had been amended and that the amended charges had not been filed within 60 days of the alleged offense as required by the Local 802 Bylaws. She asked that the body rule on the timeliness of the amended charges after hearing the opinions of the parliamentarian and of legal counsel.

The parliamentarian and legal counsel reviewed the bylaws regarding the filing of charges against officers and expressed their opinions on the timeliness of the charges in question. Discussion held. Motion made and carried by a vote of 128 to 33 that only the original charges be read.

Babich read the charges against Schaffner. Discussion held. Motion made and carried by a vote of 75 to 69 that the charges be dismissed.

Meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. due to the loss of a quorum.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:00 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Norrell, Rizzo, Schaffner, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens.

Actors’ Equity President Mark Zimmerman and Equity Public Relations Director Maria Somma appeared before the Board and reported on the status of Equity’s negotiations with the League of American Theatres and Producers. Also present were Broadway Theatre Committee Chair Tino Gagliardi and Theatre Committee Co-chair Wally Usiatynski, Assistant to the President LeFevre, Public Relations and Political Action Director Molloy and Broadway Representative Friedman. Discussion held. Zimmerman, Somma, Gagliardi, Usiatynski, LeFevre, Molloy and Friedman excused.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of June 10, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of June 11, 2008 Membership Meeting. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

President Landolfi reported on a meeting regarding a request from the producers of “[title of show]” that the show be considered a special situation musical under the terms of the Local 802/League of American Theatres and Producers collective bargaining agreement. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve special situation status for the Broadway production of “[title of show].”

Discussion held on premium payments due the musician hired for “[title of show].”

Landolfi requested payment of tuition in the amount of $695 to send Public Relations Director Molloy to an educational seminar on technology and techniques being used in political campaigns and that a request for payment of the seminar be submitted to the CAC. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi requested a contribution of $250 to Inside Broadway to help defray the expense of engaging a musician to participate in Inside Broadway’s “Creating the Magic” program at the Neil Simon Theatre. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi reported on her conversation with RMA International President Phil Ayling regarding the report of the Local 802 Limited Pressing Committee. (See minutes of May 13, 2008.)

Landolfi reported on efforts to obtain severance pay for a former member of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra. 

Landolfi reported on plans for an upcoming Broadway show titled “Thirteen.” Discussion held.

New York RMA Chairman Roger Blanc and NY RMA Board members Tino Gagliardi, Gail Kruvand-Moye and Lanny Paykin appeared before the Board to discuss the report of the Limited Pressing Committee. Discussion held. Blanc, Paykin, Gagliardi and Kruvand-Moye excused.

Motion made and carried unanimously to fund the Local 802 delegates’ luncheon at the annual International Conference of Symphony and Orchestra Musicians as has been done in the past.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the attendance of Financial Vice President Blumenthal at the ICSOM annual conference. Blumenthal recused.

Principal Business Rep Donovan and Assistant to the President LeFevre appeared before the Board with a proposed budget totaling $7,195 for Local 802’s participation in the 2008 New York International Fringe Festival and the 2008 New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the budget of up to $7,195 with the funds to come from the Public Relations budget and that a request for co-funding be submitted to the Coordinating Advisory Committee.

Motion made and carried unanimously to offer the organizing discount to musicians who join Local 802 through the 2008 International Fringe Festival and the 2008 New York Musical Theatre Festival and that a request be made to the AFM for a similar waiver of the Federation initiation fee.

Public Relations and Political Action Director Molloy appeared before the Board and requested that Local 802 support the Real Rent Reform Campaign of the Metropolitan Council on Housing and Tenants and Neighbors. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Board member Schwartz distributed a communications from himself and Tom Olcott, Chair of the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra Committee. Discussion held. Dennison and Owens excused at 1:35 p.m. Discussion continued. Board member Rizzo excused at 1:45 p.m.

Motion made and defeated to censure Local 802 Counsel Engelstein for his improper and unprofessional conduct, as demonstrated by his allegedly slanderous statements against an Executive Board member as well as attempts to intimidate the Chair of the Radio City Music Hall negotiating committee for views expressed during the June 11, 2008 membership meeting. Opposed: Blumenthal, Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Norrell and Schaffner.

Meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Roach and Schwartz.

President Landolfi requested affirmation of a phone poll approving the purchase of 3 tickets at a total cost of $750 and payment of Club Room rental for a fund raising event sponsored by the AFM in support of Congress member John Hall, who is also and a Local 802 member, with the funds to come from TEMPO 802. Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm the phone poll.

Landolfi requested approval for the expenditure of $1,700 from the public relations budget for the cost of an ad in Backstage saluting the TONY Awards winners. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi distributed communications to the Board from a member of the Local 802 Copyists Committee. Discussion held.

Landolfi distributed a settlement agreement with the producers of the Broadway production of “A Tale of Two Cities” covering the music copying work to be done for the show. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement.

Financial Vice President Blumenthal and Board members Burridge and Rizzo present at 11:15 a.m.

Michael Presser, Executive Director of “Inside Broadway” and Nick Sala, Company Manager of “Inside Broadway” appeared before the Board to discuss the work of “Inside Broadway” and their efforts to bring the experience of creating Broadway theatre to New York City school children. Discussion held. Presser and Sala thanked and excused.

Assistant to the President LeFevre appeared before the Board to report on the status of efforts to organize Little Airplane Productions, Inc., which produces children’s programs for cable television. Discussion held. Motion made and carried unanimously to pay hardship benefits from the Local 802 strike fund to musicians who may lose work in the event of a work stoppage at Little Airplane of up to $100 per day capped at $405 per week.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve up to $1,240 in expenses associated with a press conference and other activities as may be needed regarding the Little Airplane organizing effort. LeFevre excused.

Landolfi reported on her and Board Member/Recording Department Supervisor Schaffner’s meeting with the AFM International Executive Board in Las Vegas on June 20, 2008 regarding the recommendations of the Local 802 Limited Pressing Committee. Discussion held.

Landolfi reported that she had received an appeal for help in behalf of members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, who had been locked out by orchestra management and are losing both income and health benefits.

Motion made and carried unanimously to contribute $5,000 from the Local 802 strike fund to assist members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.

Blumenthal reported on safety and health issues resulting from construction activity at Lincoln Center. Discussion held.

Local 802 Counsel Mars appeared before the Board for a discussion of a modification in the Memorandum of Agreement with the American Ballet Theatre. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the modification subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Blumenthal reported on the status of a grievance regarding a recording of the Jupiter Symphony by the Mostly Mozart Orchestra.

Recording Vice President Dennison requested approval of travel expenses of up to $250 for computer consultants Cronin and Moore to visit the offices of software vendor ISSI. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request. 

Dennison requested approval for the expenditure of $500 from the public relations budget to cover the cost of Local 802’s joint participation with the AFM in the annual Latin Alternative Music Conference to be held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request. 

Jazz Representative Weeks appeared before the Board and presented an agreement with Seven Strings Limited. (John Pizzarelli). Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to the correction of the initial date of the agreement.

Motion made and carried unanimously to concur with the CAC expenditure of $1,800 for refreshments associated with a “Meet and Greet” event to be held in conjunction with the New York International Fringe Festival and the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Dennison distributed the minutes of June 17, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to table the minutes until the following meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 8, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Johansen, Roach and Schwartz. Financial Vice President Blumenthal on vacation.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of July 1, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended. Motion made and carried unanimously to remove from the table the minutes of June 17, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

President Landolfi reported that negotiations had been scheduled with Little Airplane, Inc. regarding the company’s children’s cable television program.

Landolfi requested payment of Local 802’s annual dues in the amount of $300 to the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve.

Landolfi reported that performance rights legislation supported by the AFM and a coalition of performers’ organizations had been passed by the Intellectual Properties Subcommittee of the House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee.

Landolfi reported on communications from the producer of “A White Christmas” regarding plans for a limited run of that production during the 2008 holiday season. Board member Schaffner present at 11:25 a.m. Discussion held.

Dennison reported that a tentative agreement had been reached with the New School University covering the part-time faculty employed by the University’s Jazz and Contemporary Music Program.

Controller Goldman appeared before the Board and presented the May 2008 financials and the January 2008 through May 2008 financials. Discussion held. Goldman excused.

Concert Representative Fisher appeared before the Board and presented an agreement with the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, Inc. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 22, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Rizzo, Roach and Schwartz.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of July 8, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

President Landolfi requested payment of Local 802’s annual contribution of $250 to the NY Labor Religion Coalition. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request. Board member Schaffner present at 11:10 a.m.

Landolfi reported that she had received a request from NY City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s office for Local 802’s support for legislative efforts designed to protect part of the radio spectrum from commercial exploitation. Discussion held.

Landolfi reported that she had received a request from the producers of “Billy Elliot” regarding proposed background checks on potential employees engaged for their upcoming Broadway production. Discussion held.

Landolfi reported on discussions with Radio City Productions (RCP) and with the Radio City Music Hall Orchestra Committee regarding RCP’s contractual right to audition a portion of the orchestra for the upcoming 2008 Christmas Spectacular.

Motion made and carried unanimously that a proposed agreement with RCP freezing the contract for a one-year period during which time all of the current pool orchestra members would be retained and wages would be frozen, be approved subject to review of the final language of the agreement and ratification by the bargaining unit.

Discussion held on audition advertisements in Allegro and how such paid advertisements should be handled on Local 802’s Web site and in Local 802’s e-mail notes. Local 802 Health Fund Administrator McCormick present.

Landolfi reported on the engagement of a new Computer Department Director through the placement firm JB Homer Associates and reported that the position’s salary would be split between Local 802 and the Local 802 Health Fund.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve payment of JB Homer Associates placement fee equal to one-third of the first year’s salary of the new Computer Department Director, with 30 percent of that fee to be requested from the Local 802 Health Fund.

Landolfi reported on a request from the League of American Theatres and Producers regarding their promotional activities for Broadway productions and their recently concluded agreement with Actors’ Equity Association.

Dennison reported that the standard Local 802 Archival Videotape Agreement had been signed by Innovative Music Programs Inc.

Blumenthal presented a revised agreement with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Blumenthal requested approval of $490.99 in travel expenses to Ethan Silverman for his attendance at the 2008 annual International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request and to submit the travel expense request to the CAC. 

Local 802 Counsel Mars appeared before the Board and presented a proposed settlement with Jordan Belkin regarding outstanding wage and benefits payments. (See minutes of March 21, 2006 and April 4, 2006.) Mars excused. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the settlement. Roach and Schwartz recused.

Landolfi and Schaffner reported on a well-attended meeting of recording musicians at Legacy Studios on Monday, July 21, 2008 regarding the decline of recording work in New York City and the threats posed to the survival of New York City’s remaining recording studios. Discussion held.

Meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 29, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Roach and Schwartz.

Landolfi reported that she had received a thank-you note from the musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for the contribution they had received from Local 802. (See minutes of July 1, 2008.)

Landolfi requested a contribution of $250 to the Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization raising public awareness of the problems facing severely injured war veterans. The project’s members are serving as Honorary Grand Marshals of the 2008 NY City Labor Day parade. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request. Board member Rizzo present at 11:10 a.m. 

Assistant to the President LeFevre appeared before the board and reported that negotiations with Little Airplane, Inc. had broken off, that unfair labor practice charges had been filed against the company and that a press conference was to take place on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 to launch an ongoing campaign against this employer. (See minutes of July 1, 2008.) Board member Giannini present at 11:20 a.m. Discussion held.

Landolfi reported on the status of a proposed memorandum of agreement with Radio City Productions. (See minutes of July 22, 2008.)

Blumenthal requested annual increases for three non-bargaining unit staff members. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Dennison presented an agreement with MicroCore for continuing consultative work regarding the RFP (Request for Proposals) for Local 802’s software upgrade and subsequent vendor interviews at a cost of $12,000. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement with MicroCore.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of July 22, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Theatre Committee Chair Tino Gagliardi and Committee members Marilyn Reynolds and Bill Rohdin appeared before the Board and presented a report from the Committee’s Job Action subcommittee and Inside Broadway subcommittee. Discussion held. Gagliardi, Reynolds and Rohdin excused. Discussion held.

Meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.