Allegro
Currently Browsing: December, 2007
SOLIDARITY!
During the stagehands’ strike, performed on picket lines. Photo by Claire Houston. This November, two strikes have affected musicians in profound ways. The stagehands of IATSE Local 1 and the writers of the Writers Guild of America both took a
Photo Story: Standing Strong
Photo by Claire Houston. This November, writers and stagehands took to the streets, and musicians performed on picket lines in solidarity. This is the first time the stagehands have struck in the union’s 121-year existence. “Stagehands never get any direct appreciation
Jingle Agreement Captures New Media
Musicians who play on jingles will perform under a new two-year agreement, which became effective Oct. 17. And for the first time, jingles that are produced for podcasts, cell phones, iPods, MP3 players and other digital media will be covered
Meeting of the Muses
802 has Strong Presence at Jazz Improv Live Convention
Jamming are Local 802’s Bob Cranshaw (bass), Fred Taylor (drums) and Dr. Frank DiBussolo (guitar). Bob Cranshaw walked up to his old friend Barrie Kolstein, a man who had been supplying him with new instruments for many years. No words
Club Date Agency Signs
Musicians who work for Shloime Dachs will now be covered
In late October, the Shloime Dachs Orchestra became the latest signatory to the Jewish Club Date Agreement. As reported in the April 2005 issue of Allegro, Dachs signed a recognition agreement with Local 802, agreeing to negotiate. He participated in
Time Rushes By
President's Report
In ancient times, the Romans worshipped Janus, the two-faced deity who looked both toward the past and the future. From that root came our name for the month of January, but somehow we do not do as the Romans do,
Crackdown! State Zeroes in on Misclassifying Workers
Recording Vice President's Report
Not long ago at a meeting of our Jazz Advisory Committee, a member described what unfortunately is a common situation. He had been working for a well-known artist and that work accounted for a large part of his yearly income.
Turning the Tide
Supporting Musicians by Grasping the Power of the Liquor License
THE NEW GENTRIFICATION: Images of the new Lower East Side, by Clarke Harstern. A proliferation of bars has meant that the neighborhood has turned into a miniature Times Square. But more bars has not meant more venues for live music.
Anti-War Rally Draws Thousands
Music and Politics
As announced in the last issue, Local 802 participated in a march and rally against the Iraq War at the end of October. A band hired by Local 802 received great reviews from fellow unionists for their performance at the
A Major Blow: New Labor Rule Will Hurt Organizing
Legal Corner
The labor movement was dealt a major blow in late September, when the Bush-appointed majority on the National Labor Relations Board decided to weaken rules surrounding union organizing. For decades, there have been two basic ways employees could form a
Respect is the Greatest Victory
Organizing Matters
Turning nonunion gigs into union ones is made possible by the willingness of members – you, dear reader – to care about retirement income, medical benefits and scale payments. It’s about seeing working union as the right way to work.
DONATE TOYS AND FOOD – AND WIN A PRIZE!
Give the gift of love this holiday season. Local 802 is collecting toys, clothes and food for charity. Every person who donates will receive a free raffle ticket. The winner and prize will be announced at the Local 802 holiday
Medicare’s Secondary Payer Rules
How it Affects You as a Participant
Many of us may be approaching the age where we’re eligible to apply for Medicare. If you fall into this category, you may be wondering how this affects your health benefits if you’re already on the Local 802 Health Plan.
When Mistakes Happen…
AFM Pension Fund
If you play union gigs, you build up union pension. Each October, you receive a statement from the AFM Pension Fund. Local 802 asked the fund’s executive director, Maureen Kilkelly, to tell members what to do if there’s a mistake
Introducing Union Staff
Joel LeFevre was recently promoted to the position of organizing director and assistant to the president. He succeeds Joe Eisman, who left Local 802 this fall to organize with the union that represents janitors and security guards (32BJ). In 2005,
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The letters published here do not necessarily express the views of Local 802. Letters must be 300 words or less. Send them to Allegro, c/o
Changes at the Music Performance Fund
Membership Alert
Change is in the air. If you’ve applied for Music Performance Fund money in the past, reduced funding is making it critical that you apply much earlier than ever before. It’s important that you’re aware of the changes so that
Negotiations Roundup
PATRICK APPELLO Agreement was reached between Local 802 and Patrick Appello for all work performed by the longtime Local 802 member and classical guitarist, as well as other musicians employed. The contract covers all single and steady engagements and is
Executive Board Minutes
September 11, 2007 -- October 23, 2007
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2007 Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Fein, Johansen, Rizzo, Giannini, Schaffner, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. President Landolfi excused on union
Breaktime Answers
Crossword and Sight-Sing Challenge
SIGHTSINGING ANSWERExcerpt from “The Nutcracker” CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Across 1- Bassist Ephron or actor Noveck FIMA 5- Action word VERB 9- Emulates Mirren ACTS 13- Emulate Leo ROAR 14- Ancient Troy ILIUM 16- Folk Tales LORE 17- Auricular OTIC 18-
Bill Crow’s Band Room
For a couple of years around the turn of the last century, I played with a bebop trio in the restaurant portion of a club called Scores, on East 60th Street. Their main feature was a showroom filled with dozens