Allegro
Currently Browsing: October, 2002
Health Benefit Plan Announces Additional Changes in Coverage
Click here to view chart of HBP changes. At a July 30 meeting called specifically to address benefit modifications recommended by the health fund’s advisors, significant changes were made in almost all principal HBP insurance provisions. As reported in the
Unity Conference Offered Debate, Change and Diversity of Views
On Aug. 14-18, the three AFM symphonic player conferences met for the second Unity Conference in Ottawa, Canada. Attending were the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM), Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA) and Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians
802 Collects $113,000 for Musicians in ABC-TV Shows
Local 802 recently recovered $113,000 in back payment and penalties for almost 35 musicians who performed theme music for ABC’s news magazine show, The View, and for the morning show, Good Morning America. The amount, which represents both wages and
Financial Crunch May Force End to Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
The tenth annual, and possibly last, Charlie Parker Jazz Festival took place at Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem and Tompkins Square Park, on Aug. 24 and 25. In the past couple of years, the festival had expanded by adding a
Teachers Prepare For Election at Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center
Nearly seven months after teachers at the Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center (EKCC) filed for union representation, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has scheduled a vote. The Board planned to mail ballots to teachers around the end of September; faculty
New Literature Focuses on Teachers’ Successes
We won union benefits, and you can too!” is the theme of the get-out-the-vote booklet for the Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center (EKCC) campaign (see previous article). The booklet features testimonials from other teaching artists who won representation with 802 and
Local 802 Endorses Carl McCall and Dennis Mehiel
As the September primary approached, the Local 802 Executive Board announced its endorsement of New York State Comptroller Carl McCall for Governor of New York State and Dennis Mehiel for Lieutenant Governor. McCall has been a friend and an ally
President’s Report
Unity Conference Revealed Divisions on Role of Recordings
The second Unity Conference took place Aug. 14-18 in Ottawa, Canada. A full report on its activities, as reported by Assistant Director and Concert Supervisor David Lennon, can be found here. The first Unity Conference was held in Las Vegas
Financial Picture Poses Difficult Choices
Financial Vice-President's Report
Nineteen ninety-five was a landmark year for Local 802. That February, the union hired Jon Bogert as controller and assigned him the tasks of developing an in-house accounting system and a budgeting process. For the first time in the union’s
802’s Finances Declined Over the Last Year
Controller's Report
For the six months ended June 30, 2002, Local 802 incurred a loss of $53,376, compared with a gain of $186,724 reported for the comparable period of 2001. The audited financial statements for the period appear on page 20 of
AFTRA Mounts Campaign to”Keep New York Radio Live”
Entertainment Unions Take On Big Business
Calling for the preservation of live radio in New York, the announcers and disc jockeys who broadcast on Clear Channel radio stations in New York City boycotted the company-sponsored round-robin softball tournament in Central Park on Aug. 13. The announcers
Rockettes Settle First National Contract
Entertainment Unions Take On Big Business
Paving the way for a chorus line instead of a picket line, the first national contract for the Radio City Rockettes was settled on Aug. 21. The Rockettes, who are represented by the American Guild of Variety Artists, had been
Comedians Win First Union Contract
Entertainment Unions Take On Big Business
A four-year battle to unionize BET’s long-running stand-up comedy series, Comic View, has ended with the signing of an AFTRA contract. The agreement provides comics who appear on the show significant improvements in all areas, including initial compensation, residuals and
New York State Must Address Critical Health Care Issues
Guest Commentary
The health care delivery system in the United States is unjust and inhumane. The costs are higher – 14 percent of the Gross Domestic Product, compared to the 6-10 percent of GDP of other industrialized nations where coverage is comprehensive
Taking the Anxiety Out of Performance
Musicians' Assistance Program
Each of us has different ways of coping with performance anxiety. Some techniques are helpful while others can potentially be self-destructive. Reducing anxiety before it builds up is one of the best approaches. But before we can begin to overcome
Lifestyle Notes
(The following article, submitted by a Local 802 member, contains advice and suggestions intended to improve one’s health and well-being. Local 802 and Allegro offer no endorsement or recommendation regarding the efficacy or safety of any of the remedies suggested,
Local 802 Rat Extends Solidarity
The giant balloon rat is the unique weapon of the New York labor movement. The Laborers’ Union started it all by parking rats in front of non-union construction sites. Local 802 has often borrowed other union’s rats, most recently for
Actors’ Fund Support Groups Set to Begin in October
The Actors’ Fund of America is organizing two support groups, which will start in the beginning of October. The first, entitled “Are You On the Fence With Life in the Industry?” focuses on the emotional, spiritual and practical issues of
Musicians At Work: Carnival On Broadway
On May 17 and 18, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra joined with Cyro Baptista and his samba group to present “Carnival on Broadway.” The program featured new music by LCJO director Wynton Marsalis, composed to highlight the connections between Brazilian
The Musicians’ Voice
COUNTRY MUSIC TRANSLATES WELL TO CHINESE To the Editor: In May, my band and I were invited to perform in China. Covering 23,000 miles, the tour ranged from giant outdoor concerts in Shenyang and Dalian and beautiful concert halls like
Legislative Update
LEGISLATURE PASSES MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BILL GROWING NUMBERS OF NEW YORKERS ARE UNINSURED WORKERS PAY MORE FOR INSURANCE NYFA ANNOUNCES NEW YORK ARTS RECOVERY FUND GRANTS AFL-CIO KICKS OFF ONLINE LABOR DAY LEGISLATURE PASSES MISUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS BILL
Negotiations Roundup
A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE Local 802 has reached a four-month collective bargaining agreement with Lincoln Center for seven musicians performing at the 299-seat Mitzi E. Newhouse Theatre. The agreement provides a minimum weekly scale wage for side musicians of
Executive Board Minutes
July 9, 2002 -- August 13, 2002
TUESDAY, JULY 9, 2002 Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: President Moriarity, Executive Board members Crow, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Reynolds, Rohdin and Shankin, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Dennison, Assistant Director Lennon, Assistant Supervisor of National Contracts
Bill Crow’s Band Room
The late Vinnie Burke, a wonderful bassist, was well known among his fellow musicians for his principled and outspoken positions on swing, tempo and repertoire. A purist with demanding criteria, Vinnie could be scathing if he detected transgressions such as