I was under the impression that this was being handled by Zana at the Foundation. They had promised to pay my October and November premium under a grant from Kaiser. Since you did not make any attempt to reason, witj Zana at the Foundation, or communicate with me on the manner, I presumed it was paid as per my agreement with Zana and the Foundation. She requested that you fax her the bill for November .

I then wrote back to Local 7 and requested that they lease FAX this bill immediately to Zana at The Foundation (323) 461 5260 The staff at Local 7 are threatening to suspend my health insurance, again. The same thing happened last month when I tried to get Local 7 to collect on Part 1 of the grant. Attn: To Zana: FAX 323-461-5260. I believed there was also some problem last month with responding to the pre agreed plans to pay for my October and November premiums. That was part of the ‘foundation grant awarded me. And now you’re telling me 2 weeks before Xmas that the full amount is now due and payable. As agreed upon the foundation will pay the November premium. As for the December premium I will have to wait until after Xmas to pay that..I had informed you back in September that the foundation had agreed to pay both October and November’s premium’s back then. But evidentally, someone at the the staff didn’t take me at my word. Is it really so difficult to fax over a document to the local 47 foundation? I would presume that my dues are used to handle such expenses, but when it comes to help from the union, on a very important matter re: my health insurance, I have had to call the foundation twice to make sure that they local 7 had made the payment as promised.. Yes, folks, this is your union dollars at work. When it comes to doing what we elected them to do, well, that’s another thing.

Merry XMAS.

jon

—–Original Message—–
From: Patricia Yancey [mailto:pat@ocmusicians.org]
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 1:08 PM
To: ‘Jonathan Dysart’
Cc: ‘Tammy Noreyko’; bob@ocmusicians.org
Subject: Email Correction - Medical Premium for November and December 2009
Importance: High

Hi Jonathan,
Attn: Zana

Editors note: This note was just received two weeks before Christmas after I presumed that the foundation had taken care of things. Local 7 evidently does not wish to help its members who are going through a hard time right now. The November premium payment November 2009 WAS SUPPOSED TO BE PAID IN A TIMELY MANNER’/ This can only mean two things 1: Someone at local 7 is not doing their job 2).They just don’t care if their members lose their health insurance. I demand that this be looked into by the Federation and lawyers to find out if any wrongdoing has occured. They send me a bill two weeks before Xmas, threatening to suspend my health insurance. Just when I am trying to get my feet gack on the ground. 3:) There is tremendous incompetency over at Local 7 and someone is not doing their job. cc. Tom Lee President AMF

This is a quick reminder to let you know that your account with us is past due. We haven’t heard back from you regarding your medical insurance payment for November in the amount of $517.00. Per the voicemail you left, payment was to been received in the Union Office by the end of November. To date we have not received that payment. December’s premium in the amount of $517.00 is now due and payable.

I’ve attached your invoice for the amount due of $1,034.00 for November and December. If other arrangements have been made to make these payments and bring you up to date, please contact us before December 18th and let us know. Otherwise we will be obligated to cancel the coverage and any balance on the account will be immediately due and payable.

Taking care of this matter is greatly appreciated. If you have already sent payment for this invoice, please disregard this letter and accept our thanks for your payment. We appreciate doing business with you and look forward to doing so in the future.

Best wishes to you and your family for a healthy and happy holiday season.

Musically Yours,

Patricia Yancey, Assistant to the President

Orange County Musicians’ Association

Local 7, American Federation of Musicians

2050 South Main Street | Santa Ana | CA 92707

T 714-546-8166 | F 714-662-0279 | http://www.ocmusicians.org

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P Please consider the environment before printing this email

1. Composers are NOT in the AFM. No hours are credited for composing and we receive no money, pension, or healthcare OR secondary payments for our services as composers. Some conductors and orchestrators are in the union, but there is no way to fine any compositional work.

2. Composers (in almost all cases) do not choose to record union or not. The production company owns the music and must sign any assumption agreement. The composer has no choice and can only do his or her best to persuade. Which brings me to my main point:

*Most composers have said all along that much like any other business, you cannot fine or muscle people into recording here. At the end of the day (just like in any other industry) you must offer a better product or service at a comparable price.

In order to keep work here, producers must get a better quality product, with better service, quicker turnaraound, and it must be done easier that anywhere else…if not they will go elsewhere. Period.

In plain english, if producers can record a score here in town, and it sounds better, and they don’t have to travel, and there is no complicated contracts or back end language…they get a great studio and great staff with wonderful equipment…and at the end of the process, the price is relatively similar to them going abroad (including travel, accomadations, and per diem), then they will stay here with a smile on their faces…ALWAYS.

If the AFM and our music community cannot offer the scenario above, then they will not.

Period.

It’s up to the AFM.