TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 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, Johansen, Norrell and Schwartz. 

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of July 29, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Landolfi requested the purchase of two tickets to the NYS AFL-CIO’s Annual Labor Celebration at a total cost of $500. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi presented a memorandum of agreement with the Organization of Union Representatives, which represents the union business reps and organizers. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement.

Landolfi reported that a Broadway production of “Godspell” would be opening at the Barrymore Theatre with an orchestra of seven musicians, which is larger than the orchestra used in the original Broadway production. 

Landolfi reported that an agreement had been reached with Little Airplane, Inc. (See minutes of July 29, 2008.)

Landolfi distributed an Amended and Restated Agreement with Radio City Productions, LLC covering musicians engaged in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Blumenthal requested approval of $2,357.16 for the purchase of furniture needed in the computer department. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Newly hired CIO (Chief Information Officer) Sandra Alayo was introduced to the EB. Alayo excused.

Blumenthal reported on an arbitration proceeding and settlement agreement with the Brooklyn Philharmonic.

Blumenthal distributed proposed Freelance Opera and Ballet Scales for May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2011, which scales were based on those in the agreement with the American Ballet Theatre. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the scales. 

Dennison requested approval of a contract with Richard Roofing, Inc., which submitted the low bid of $7,000 for the painting of the front and rear stairwells at the Local 802 Headquarters building. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request. Building Supervisor Little present. 

Dennison reported that a building inspector from the NYS Fire Department had issued a violation regarding an out of date assembly permit for the first floor Club Room and that real estate advisor Brian Weld from Colliers, ABR had been contacted to assist in resolving the issue. Little excused.

Blumenthal distributed the settlement agreement referred to above with Brooklyn Philharmonic. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the settlement agreement.

Jazz Representative Todd Weeks present. Dennison presented a Memorandum of Agreement with the New School University covering the adjunct faculty employed by the Jazz and Contemporary Music Program. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit. Weeks excused.

Public Relations and Political Action Director Molloy appeared before the Board and distributed a proposed questionnaire to be utilized in interviewing candidates for elected office in New York State. Discussion held. Molloy excused.

Meeting adjourned at 12:20 p.m.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2008

Meeting called to order at 2:05 p.m. Present: Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Johansen, Norrell and Rizzo. President Landolfi on vacation. Meeting chaired by Blumenthal.

Recording Vice President Dennison requested approval of a budget of up to $4,400 for Local 802’s participation in the 2008 Labor Day parade sponsored by the New York City Central Labor Council. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Dennison requested payment of Local 802’s annual affiliation fee of $500 to U.S. Labor Against the War. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Dennison presented an agreement with the Big Apple Circus. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Local 802 Counsel Mars and Theatre Representative Donovan appeared before the Board and presented an agreement with the Roundabout Theatre Company covering musicians employed at the Laura Pels Theatre. Board member Schaffner present at 2:25 p.m. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement. Donovan excused.

Financial Vice President Blumenthal reported on a potential grievance involving the American Symphony Orchestra. Discussion held. Mars excused.

Blumenthal reported on a potential settlement of a grievance involving members of the MET Musical Staff. Discussion held.

Dennison reported on a request from a sister union and member of the Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guild regarding legal representation. Discussion held.

Controller Goldman appeared before the Board and presented the June 2008 financials, the January to June 2008 financials and the vouchers for July 2008. Discussion held. Controller Goldman excused.

Dennison distributed the minutes of August 5, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2008

Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Roach, Schwartz, Schaffner and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. 

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of Aug. 12, 2008. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

President Landolfi requested that Local 802 join the Music Educators Association of New York City for an annual membership fee of $75. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi requested the purchase of a full-page ad at a cost of $700 in the annual event journal for the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi requested affirmation of a phone poll approving an additional $600 in the budget for the 2008 Labor Day parade. Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm the phone poll.

Landolfi requested affirmation of a phone poll putting Local 802 on record as approving the AFM’s proposed one-year extension of the Sound Recording Labor Agreement. The AFM had received similar approvals for the proposed extension from Los Angeles Local 47, Nashville Local 257, Chicago Local 10-208 and the RMA (Recording Musicians Association). Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm the phone poll.

Landolfi presented a Letter of Agreement between Local 802 and 13 NY LLC covering musicians performing in the Broadway production of “13.” Discussion held. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement.

Landolfi reported that the Music Performance Fund would be co-funding the annual Broadway on Broadway event scheduled for Sept. 14, 2008.

Landolfi distributed communications from a group called FAREPLAY, the RMA and a letter in response to this material from AFM President Lee. Discussion held.

Controller Goldman appeared before the Board and presented the July 2008 financials, the January to July 2008 financials and the January to July 2007. Discussion held. Controller Goldman excused.

Financial Vice President Blumenthal requested approval of the budgeted salary increase for one supervisory employee. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Blumenthal reported on his attendance at the 2008 International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians.

Blumenthal reported that Gramercy Brass had signed a recognition agreement with Local 802. He also reported that a grievance had been filed against the American Symphony Orchestra.

Blumenthal reported that funds from a recent settlement reached with Jordan Belkin for outstanding wages and benefits owed for a Jose Carreras performance in February 2003 had been disbursed. (See minutes of March 21, 2006 and April 4, 2006.)

Board member Giannini excused at 1:20 p.m. Dennison requested endorsement of a city wide demonstration called by Tenants and Neighbors in support of efforts to preserve affordable housing and achieve real rent reform. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Public Relations and Political Action Director Molloy appeared before the Board and reported on responses to a Local 802 questionnaire sent to candidates for public office in New York City and State. Discussion held. Molloy recommended the endorsement of Joseph Addabbo, Jr. for New York State Senate in the September 9, Democratic primary. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the recommendation.

Motion made and carried unanimously to endorse Senator Barack Obama for President and Senator Joseph Biden for Vice President of the United States.

Dennison requested up to $3,000 from the public relations budget to help fund a Jazz Brunch in Washington, D.C. honoring Congressman John Conyers for his decades-long support for musicians, for the performing arts, and for Jazz in particular. Conyers was the sponsor of House Resolution 57 declaring Jazz a “national treasure.” Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m.