Greetings Local 47 Brothers and Sisters,
We’ve had several members write asking specifics about why we
feel it is so vital to vote for the independent “David Schubach”
slate. Though this will not be our only response, we’d like to
send our thoughts along as food for thought.
Firstly, you should check out www.davidschubach.com and read
the candidate’s statements.
I. WHO ARE THE INDEPENDENT SLATE
II. WHY WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE!
III. NO MONEY CRUNCH
IV. SEND IN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST NOW!
I. WHO ARE THE INDEPENDANT SLATE AND WHY YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR THEM!
The slate that David has put together has the leadership skills
that this Local needs to confront the particular areas members
need at this point in time.
PRESIDENT
DAVID SCHUBACH has served in many capacities at our Local.
Initially, he created a vibrant, active referral service for our
members, one that could easily be called the pride of the
Federation. It has helped the rank and file find thousands of jobs,
and he knew, as he does now, that service to our members, all
our members, is the primary mission of our Local. He went on to
be a very successful Vice-President. He was instrumental in the
creation of the SELA contract and it was during David’s tenure
that the construction of the rehearsal rooms was given the go
ahead. Of course, David would not have allowed music rehearsal
rooms to be constructed WITHOUT SOUND PROOFING as this
administration did, and for which Vince Trombetta is taking great
credit!
Behind the scenes, Schubach has lobbied legislators in Sacramento
for recording artists’ rights with Don Henley and Sheryl Crow. In
Beverly Hills he produced the first State-of-the-Unions seminar
featuring all the entertainment guilds for the Entertainment
Industry Council. He initiated standard business practices at the
Local including the removal of social security numbers from
monthly statements, the rental of vacant second-floor offices,
and the periodic review of employees’ performances with written
job descriptions. Also he created a database of all Local 47 CBAs
that is now available online.
VICE PRESIDENT
PETER QUESADA has had decades of experience in the music
business here. He has created orchestras, he has run orchestras.
He knows the ins and outs of their operation and contracts. He
understands their concerns and has had deep ties to the live
performance arena throughout his career. He knows orchestra
negotiations from a conductor’s AND player’s point of view.
Peter has performed regularly on the Grammys, Latin Grammys
and other shows.
Peter’s message: In a real and true visionary approach to
the future of our Union we ought to do exactly what the word
union signifies, BECOME UNITED in our goals for the well being
and benefit of all our members. In the true sense of a
democracy we are ALL EQUAL. No one ought to be privileged
above any other dues paying and hard working member.
We certainly can have differences of opinion, but the UNITY for
the sake of the whole is what ought to be the first consideration
in all our negotiations.
TRUSTEES and DELEGATES
LISA HALEY has more than proven herself as a successful
businesswoman, musician and bandleader. As head of the FMA
(Freelance Musicians Association) she has helped organize
freelancers of many stripes to work collectively for the benefit of
all. She knows accountability and responsibility and is a uniter.
Lisa understands contracts and the concerns of touring and
traveling musicians intimately and how to get results for them.
ALAN VAVRIN is well regarded as a percussionist and activist.
His expertise spans from orchestral to recording to live theater
to casuals. He understands the ins and outs of serving on
orchestra committees and has served in numerous negotiations.
Alan is also well versed in the concerns and needs of the recording
musician.
DIRECTORS
DR. BOBBY RODRIGUEZ has invaluable experience regarding the
inner workings of entertainment organizations, which can help
us ensure that the ENTIRE membership is represented. He has
served on the Board of Governors of NARAS and the California
Institute for the Preservation of Jazz, giving him an insider’s
knowledge of the concerns of members of the entertainment
community. As do most others on the slate, Bobby has extensive
experience as an educator. He understands the needs and
potential future benefits our local must work towards for our
private teacher members.
DAVID GARFIELD brings to the local his expertise in the inner
working of jingles, recording and records. His experience in the
pop and commercial world will be a great asset in bringing more
of these musicians into the fold of our Local.
TOM GRIFFIN has the advantage of decades of experience with
the life and needs of theater musicians. He has been the pianist
and/or music director of many shows, including a national tour
of My Fair Lady and Music Director and Conductor of Beauty and
the Beast in Atlanta. His local and touring experience translates
into knowing the needs of those musicians on the road and in
the pit.
HARRIET KATZ is a veteran of the casual world and the freelance
classical musician’s world. She has vast experience in running a
successful chamber music business and understands the
particular needs and concerns of those members. She has had a
great deal of experience in the world of California Politics as well.
If you’ll read the last few COMMITTEE e-mails you’ll realize the
lack of consideration and respect that the current administration
shows again and again for the very people who pay their salaries!
In short (way too late, sorry ’bout that.) WE DESERVE BETTER!
——–
II. WHY WE NEED TO CLEAN HOUSE! Let us count only some of the ways…
The recording musicians have their interests well covered by the
RMA and for the past decade or two our Local’s interests have
been far too focused on that small minority, to the detriment of
the vast majority of members. This indifference to, even open
hostility to the needs of the live and freelance players has grown
exponentially over the last two years, frankly, since Vince
Trombetta got into office and he, Hal and/or the Board have
used a hatchetman, the former Office Manager, to do their dirty
work. This to the point where a complete change of the guard is
desperately needed and vital to our future as a local.
Don’t take our word for it. For just one example check out Mr.
Trombetta’s Spiel,… in which he says “members should have the
services they need and deserve.” Take him at his word. The
wholesale dismantling, downsizing into uselessness and mixing
of the members services didn’t begin until shortly after Mr.
Trombetta was elected. The damage to our services in the last
year speaks volumes to Mr. Trombetta’s statement that the
members should have the services they “deserve”. He has
publically stated in the past that valuable services to our
Freelance Members “have no place in a Labor Union.”
At the July membership meeting, the VP tried to paint a picture
of conspiracy that got him booed into silence. At the October
23rd meeting, when questioned about his lack of presence at
work at the Local on Wednesdays, (though he’s paid for a
FULL TIME POSITION), the VP snapped, “This is not a real meeting,
I don’t have to answer questions!”
This should tell you all you need to know about his disregard
and lack of respect for the rank and file.
President Espinosa’s credit card was used to create an imposter
email account (which is still active, by the way) to try to discredit
members who dare to speak the truth about their actions. An
independent investigation led to the firing of the employee who
used the President’s credit card and Local 47 resources to do it.
All in house! Officers in other Locals have been fired and fined
for far less, yet simply denying to have authorized the credit
card’s use seemed to be enough for this board to give President
Espinosa a pass. That’s accountability and responsibility?
Our current board stood by and allowed the engineered firings
of two of the most useful and loyal long term employees this
local has ever had – refusing them an opportunity to speak to the
board to defend themselves, on the word of a now discredited
and fired employee. A board that should have known of the
dispicible conduct of the former General Manager toward our
employees and did nothing until forced to act by the membership,
having to have the evidence literally thrust upon them by the
membership.
David Schubach and the rest of his slate understand the
importance of honesty, integrity, and attention to details. He has
learned that musicians come first, unlike President Espinosa, who
has been said by many orchestral members to have “Never met a
management he didn’t like”. Ask members of the players
committees of the Pasadena Pops, Desert or San Bernardino
Symphonies what a lousy job Hal did for them in negotiation.
David has shown repeatedly that he will keep the entirety
of the membership in mind, and their needs paramount.
——–
III. NO MONEY CRUNCH
This present administration has been a disaster for the vast
majority of members. They have claimed that the firing of much
needed employees was because of a budget crunch, among
other excuses.
There is no money crunch at the Local. Our local has millions of
dollars in property and assets and approx. two million in cash,
yet they are trying to cut the hours for many of our employees,
some to the point where they could not afford to stay, as was
the case with the former Studio 47 Administrator.
The former Directory Administrator, refusing to take the bait
from VP Vince Trombetta and the former General Manager to
become an AT-WILL employee, thus creating the situation where
he could be fired on the GM’s whim, was reprimanded and
docked pay for being late, when they knew the Administrator
had a previous agreement with his boss because of parental
obligations.
These actions have been transparent and obvious. The focus of
this local must be returned where it should be, to the rank and
file member.
For the reasons above, among many others, we cannot condone
their continued employment at our Local. The Espinosa ticket,
taken as a group, deserves to be entirely replaced.
A coat of plain gray paint on the building and non-soundproofed
rehearsal rooms cannot make up for the serious damage they
have done to our local.
VOTE FOR THOSE WHO WILL DO THE MOST GOOD FOR THE MOST
MEMBERS, THE INDEPENDANT SLATE HEADED BY DAVID SCHUBACH!
PRESIDENT – DAVID SCHUBACH
VICEPRESIDENT – PETER QUESADA
TRUSTEE/DELEGATE – LISA HALEY
TRUSTEE/DELEGATE – ALAN VAVRIN
DIRECTOR – DR. BOBBY RODRIGUEZ
DIRECTOR – DAVID GARFIELD
DIRECTOR – TOM GRIFFIN
DIRECTOR – HARRIET KATZ
V. SEND IN YOUR ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUEST NOW!
Our local needs your vote, YOUR help if we’re going to get the
local back for the rank and file! Please help our Local return to
helping ALL the membership. We cannot do it without you!
As Always, those who disagree are welcome to rebut anything in
these mailings.
Until next time!
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47