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Currently Browsing: October, 2004
President’s Report
The Top Five Reasons Why John Kerry is the Best Choice for Working Musicians
It should come as no surprise that Local 802 has endorsed Senator John Kerry for president. In this column, I explain exactly why we believe he is the best choice and what we in Local 802 can do to help
AFM Endorses John Kerry
During its June 2004 quarterly meeting, by unanimous vote, the International Executive Board of the AFM endorsed John Kerry for president of the United States of America. The board endorsed Kerry for his stance on labor issues and economic issues
ICSOM Conference Looks to Future
Financial Vice President's Report
Delegates to the 2004 International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) gathered in Salt Lake City for four days of seminars, educational workshops, reports and sharing of information. The keynote speaker was Henry Fogel, president and CEO of the
Union Makes Big Gain in First Half
Controller's Report
For the six months ended June 30, 2004, Local 802 realized a gain of $176,735, compared with a gain of $52,209 during the first six months of 2003. The audited financial statements for the six month period appear elsewhere in
ICSOM Salutes David Lennon
The following resolution was passed unanimously by acclamation at the 2004 ICSOM conference: Whereas, the use of the virtual orchestra machine to replace live musicians is an abomination to the art form and a threat to the livelihood of working
ROPA Conference Report
In perhaps the only hotel in Las Vegas without a casino, the 2004 ROPA conference began on Aug. 10. There are currently about 68 member orchestras and a substantial number of them were represented in the large conference room at
TMA Conference Report
The all-too-short annual conference of the Theatre Musicians Association was held at the Holiday Inn in St. Louis on Aug. 16-17. Most of the work of the conference took place on Monday, starting with introductory remarks by TMA President Vicky
Election Will Affect Organizing
Organizing Matters
This is the debut of the Organizing Department’s column, “Organizing Matters.” To reach the department, call Organizing Director Joe Eisman at (212) 245-4802, ext. 191. Politics matter. Every American of voting age should be keenly aware of the direct role
A Case in Chaos and Calamity
The Presidential Election as if Conducted by the NLRB
Invariably, a conversation about the merits of obtaining recognition through a card check (as opposed to NLRB elections) leads to the question, “Well, aren’t secret ballot elections a good thing?” Well, imagine what this November’s election would look like were
“How Does the Upcoming Presidential Election Affect You as a Local 802 Member?”
Beat on the Street
The most important element is that Bush is for big business, which is usually anti-union. He has fashioned his entire presidency on CEO management style. Basically the Republican agenda does not give one iota about the concerns of working-class America;
Recording Artists Protest
Musicians At Work
Dozens of musicians and their supporters, a marching band, and the inflatable rat were present at an Aug. 14 protest in front of the Knitting Factory. The club’s recording division — Knitting Factory/Instinct Records — has been violating its artists’
This Fall, Help Kerry Win
This fall, there are many different choices for union members who want to help beat Bush. Voter registration, house parties, phone banks and public protests are all part of the mix. Many New York groups are emphasizing outreach to “swing
The Future is Now!
Guest Commentary
President Hughes delivered the following speech to the 700 delegates and guests attending the 30th Constitutional Convention of the New York State AFL-CIO following his reelection on Aug. 9, 2004. Who could have imagined, when we last met four years
802 Members Could Win Chance to Buy Co-op
WHAT: A drawing to win the chance to buy a 1,000-square-foot two-bedroom co-op in Yonkers. The price may be around $155,000. There are 18 co-ops available. WHO: This project is being sponsored by the Actors Federal Credit Union, the credit
Elections the Union Way
Local 802 Legal Corner
With all the fanfare and controversy surrounding the Democratic and Republican conventions, and the upcoming presidential election, I thought that it would be a good idea to devote this month’s article to union representational elections. Just how is it that
A Place to Turn to Make a Change
Musicians' Assistance Program
In an ideal world, each of us will be fortunate to find a meaningful career that also generates an income adequate to meet our expenses. In most cases, individuals make a conscious decision to pursue a specific career within a
The Rise of the “Corpocracy”
Book Notes
“Regime Change Begins at Home,” by Charles Derber (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2004). In “Regime Change Begins at Home,” Boston College sociology professor Charles Derber analyzes the changes in America’s political climate since Civil War days with emphasis on the present era’s
Legislative Update
TAX CREDITS FOR NYC FILMS CITY WORKFORCE SAFETY ACT PASSED SIGN OVERTIME PROTECTION PETITION! TAX CREDITS FOR NYC FILMS Governor Pataki has signed into law a bill creating tax incentives for film and television production to assist in the fight
Negotiations Roundup
THEATRICAL AGREEMENTS Except where noted, the following agreements include health benefits of $7.25 per call (capped at $58 per week), doubling premiums of 12.5 percent for the first and 6.25 percent for each additional, a synthesizer premium of 25 percent,
Grievance Corner
“CAROLINE, OR CHANGE” A grievance was settled in behalf of a Local 802 member who was denied his identity of product rights when “Caroline, or Change” moved from the Off Broadway production at the Public Theatre to the Broadway production
Executive Board Minutes
July 20, 2004 -- August 17, 2004
TUESDAY, JULY 20, 2004 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Gagliardi, Gale, Landolfi, Shankin, Weiss and Controller Bogert. Recording Vice President Dennison distributed minutes of July 13, 2004. Local
Coordinating Advisory Committee Minutes
May 18, 2004
Meeting called to order at 1:15PM. Present: Chairman Hood, Greene, McIntyre, Luthra, Bogin, Harris, Jenkins, Kruvand-Moye and Lindquist. Minutes read and approved. Hood calculated the CAC fund is presently at $33,500 less approximately $5,000 in funds already allocated but so
Bill Crow’s Band Room
During the 1947-48 season with the Pittsburgh Symphony, William Zinn shared a room with the orchestra’s piccolo player. They hung out together, and wherever they went, his friend carried his piccolo in his jacket pocket. Whenever the spirit moved him,