Through Local 802’s efforts, the Long Island Philharmonic has been approved for a wage subsidy contract by the Consortium for Worker Education, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 to provide schooling, training and employment services for workers in New York.

As a result of the economic impact of Sept. 11, 2001, the Consortium received a major grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to provide a wage subsidy program that enables employers who qualify to maintain a full work force.

Last season, with Local 802’s assistance, the Brooklyn Philharmonic was able to secure such funding for their April concerts – performances that would have not taken place otherwise.

When Local 802 recently learned that the Long Island Philharmonic intended to possibly lay off musicians previously engaged for the season, the union helped facilitate a wage subsidy proposal for the Consortium.

The resulting grant is to be specifically utilized to offset potential layoffs. All monies will go directly to musicians’ wages and benefits for the orchestra’s November, January and February concerts. Most importantly, all musicians who had indicated their availability for concerts this season will remain engaged for those services.

“Local 802 and the Long Island Philharmonic thank the Consortium for Worker Education for their considerable help in enabling musicians to continue their employment with the orchestra,” said Assistant Director David Lennon.

If you have been laid off or lost work as a result of the economic impact of Sept. 11, 2001, please call the Actors’ Fund at (212) 354-5480. If you own a business that has been economically impacted due to the events of Sept. 11, call Heather Beaudoin at (212) 245-4802, ext. 176.