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Currently Browsing: April, 2005
Virtual Showdown
Musicians Fight Canned Opera
Any threat to live music is a threat to musicians everywhere. Members of Local 802 recently sprang into action to make sure employers know of our commitment to live music. This time the latest assault on live music was perpetrated
Leading the Way for Working Families
Local 802 Joins Working Families PartyPresident's Report
Local 802 recently became the newest member of the Working Families Party of New York. Joining with over 80 other labor and community organizations, we are the first entertainment industry union to enter the Working Families Party. By becoming a
Now’s the Time to Join the Union!
Save $100 by Joining Before June 30
Membership application now available online! There has never been a more important nor opportune time to join Local 802. Beginning April 1 the union is conducting a three-month membership drive during which time both the local’s and the AFM’s initiation
Local 802 Looks Ahead
Strategic Planning Process Underway
Change or Die” is a slogan often adopted by organizations as a way to focus attention on the need to adapt to a continually changing environment. Organizations that plan, change and adapt to challenges are better suited to move confidently
Financial Prudence is the Key
Financial Vice-President's Report
While 2004 was a successful year ending in the black at a higher level of profitability than in the preceding year, there are some ominous clouds on the horizon. As you are well aware, there was a work dues rate
Getting Rid of a Bad Decision
Appealing the "All Shook Up" Arbitration AwardLocal 802 Legal Corner
In last month’s column I “admitted” (a rare occurrence for an attorney!) that vacating an arbitration award is probably one of the most difficult tasks that a lawyer can seek to accomplish. I posed this rhetorical question: under what set
Broadway Theatre Committee Adopts New Bylaws
On March 2, the Broadway Theatre Committee unanimously adopted a new set of bylaws that will govern its operations for the future. Paragraph one of the bylaws, titled “Purpose,” reads: “It shall be the function of the Broadway Theatre Committee
‘Lennon’ Deemed a Special Situation
Soon after the recent troubling arbitration decision in “All Shook Up,” the union was presented with an opportunity to start to define, for future panel cases and for potential future arbitrators, what a Special Situation truly is, and not only
The ‘Norma Rae’ Ballet
Dancers Prevail Against Anti-Union Campaign
Unity is the special ingredient of the labor movement. The theatrical unions that make up COBUG – the coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds – came together in 2003, galvanized by Local 802’s strike to save minimums and live music
Virtual Orchestra Machine Resolution
802 Urges AFM to "Take Whatever Steps Necessary" to Stop VO Machine
“Keep Music Live” has been Local 802’s mission. Local 802 believes this fight must be expanded to the national level. 802 has therefore submitted the following resolution to the AFM biannual convention this summer. WHEREAS, the virtual orchestra machine is
Pamphlet B: It’s Now or Never
On March 31, the contract between the AFM and the League of American Theatres and Producers covering touring theatrical musicals – Pamphlet B — expired. Preparations for the negotiation of a new agreement have been under way. Federation officials, local
Labor Movement Slams Wal-Mart
Guest Commentary
After invading town after town throughout the United States, Wal-Mart is now trying to bring its trail of destruction to New York City. Don’t let its bright lights fool you. Communities with Wal-Marts are often left in the dark as
Smash the Glass, Dance the Hora
...But Make Sure the Band is Union!
If you are a single engagement musician, please do your part and help us organize! See below (“Why a Separate Scale?”) for more information. Can organizing and religion mix? In Brooklyn, they often do. As principal business rep in Long
“Has the Internet Made an Impact on Your Life as a Working Musician?”
Beat on the Street
The Internet has been an amazing “global” resource for me. It has enabled me to create a personal Web site, sell my products, order music, and most importantly, has been a versatile tool for research — both musical and labor-intensive.
No More Chaos Theory — Get Organized!
Musicians' Assistance Program
April is a month of change and renewal; the clocks move forward as the weather warms, and the race begins to complete your taxes by the 15th of the month. It may be too late to reduce your level of
Legislative Update
PUSHING ALBANY TO DO BETTER The New York State AFL-CIO announced its 2005 legislative agenda which included such items as job creation efforts, healthcare and affordable housing. The recommendations proposed harnessing the engine of public procurement to create good jobs
Negotiations Roundup
SEM Ensemble. An agreement has been reached with the SEM Ensemble, retroactive from May 15, 2003 through May 14, 2006. The new agreement requires that SEM follow single engagement classical wage scale and all terms and conditions for all performances
Executive Board Minutes
December 21, 2004 -- January 11, 2005
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2004 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members, Gagliardi, Gale, Shankin, Weiss, Whitaker, Controller Bogert and Assistant to the President Delia. Recording Vice
Bill Crow’s Band Room
Have you seen many dollar coins in circulation these days? They can be used in the new parking receipt dispensers on the block in front of Local 802, but they don’t turn up too often. You have to remember to