THE GOLDMAN MEMORIAL BAND

The Goldman Memorial Band launched its 2001 summer season under a new collective bargaining agreement. Local 802 and GMB agreed to extend the prior agreement by one year under the following terms and conditions: Performance and rehearsal wages were increased to meet the current MPTF rates of $130 per performance and $26 per hour for rehearsals. Working conditions regarding the weather were also addressed, which was especially important since the band performs extensively outdoors.

In addition to updating the Primary Hiring List, provisions were added to grant preferential consideration when filling vacant positions to musicians who have subbed in that chair for one entire season or more. A prior grievance was also resolved in this negotiation, through the clarification of hiring order.

QUINCY JONES

An orchestra conducted by Quincy Jones and made up of high school students and freelance musicians became a union performance, thanks to quick work by the Organizing and Concert departments. When Local 802 learned that the mid-June series of four-hour rehearsals and two concerts would not be filed, representatives contacted the employer, the Ross Institute. After some initial delays, the institute signed a single-engagement (“W”) contract, which mandates full classical scale. The employer also signed basic touring agreement language, which is excerpted from the New York Pops’ agreement with the union. This language will be important because the employer required musicians to spend the night in East Hampton, where the concerts took place. The Ross Institute placed talented high school musicians with professionals to create a group called the Interschool Orchestra.

OFF-BROADWAY

I Sing!: Local 802 has reached agreement with All The Children Sing, L.L.C., for three musicians performing in this production at the 136-seat Maverick Theatre (formerly the American Jewish Theatre). The minimum scale is $460, however each side musician will receive $500 and the music director $750 for an eight-performance week. For a 40-hour/six-day week the rehearsal/audition musician will be paid $750, and $30 an hour for a minimum two-hour call. The orchestra will receive $20 per hour for a minimum two-hour call. Premiums are 12½ percent for the first and 6¼ percent for each additional double, and 25 percent for synthesizer. After 20 weeks of employment each musician will receive one week of paid vacation and thereafter will receive an additional 4 percent premium in the regular weekly wage. Pension is 8 percent and the health benefit contribution is $50 per week. Music preparation is paid at 80 percent of Broadway scale. All musicians have identity with the product.

tick, tick…Boom!: A three-year agreement for this musical at the 250-seat Jane Street Theatre provides a minimum weekly performance scale of $575 per musician for the four-member orchestra, a 50 percent premium for the music director/conductor, and 15 percent for the associate conductor. Scale wages will increase to $600 on Aug. 22, 2001, to $624 on Dec. 22, 2001, to $648.96 on May 22, 2002, and to $674.92 on May 22, 2003. The rehearsal/audition musician receives $800 for a 40-hour/six-day week and $30 an hour for a minimum two-hour call. The hourly orchestra rate is $20, also for a minimum two-hour call. Premiums are 12½ percent for the first and 6¼ percent for each additional double and 25 percent for synthesizer. Health benefits are $50 per week, pension is 8 percent, and musicians will accrue one day’s sick leave for every 48 performances. They will also receive one week of vacation after 25 weeks of performances, and 4 percent thereafter in their weekly wages. Music preparation is 100 percent of General Price List. All musicians have identity with the product.

Hair: A five-week agreement with the Bay Street Theatre for this musical production provides a minimum weekly scale of $595 for eight or fewer performances – a 20 percent increase over the last contract with this theatre in 1997. The music director/conductor receives a 50 percent premium. The rehearsal/audition musician receives $800 for a 40-hour/six-day week and the hourly rate is $34.13, for a minimum two-hour call. The minimum rehearsal rate for the orchestra is $23.05 per hour, for a minimum two-hour call. Premiums are 12½ percent for the first and 6¼ percent for each additional double, and 25 percent for synthesizer. Vacation is set at 6 percent and pension at 8 percent of all wages, and the health benefit contribution is $50 per week. All musicians have identity with the product.

WORKSHOP

Tom Jones: A workshop agreement negotiated with RaulFilm, Inc., provides $1,035 for a six-day/40-hour rehearsal week and an hourly rate of $40 per hour, for a minimum three-hour call. Performances will pay $155 for three hours or less, and overtime is $38.75 per 30 minutes or portion thereof. Premiums include: 75 percent for the music director/conductor, 30 percent for associate conductor, 12½ percent for the first and 6¼ percent for each additional double, and 25 percent for synthesizer. The employer will pay all cartage expense. Vacation is 6 percent and pension 8 percent of wages, and health benefits are $54 per week. The employer will pay a use fee for any music preparation work done by the music director as the composer. Music preparation done by other personnel will receive 80 percent of Broadway rates, but no less than $6,500 for the sole copyist. Musicians hired for the run of the workshop have identity with the product.

For information regarding Off-Broadway, call Senior Theatre Rep Mary Donovan at (212) 245-4802, ext. 156.