I. ROPA RESOLUTION RE: PASADENA POPS
II. FREE CONCERT BY MEMBERS OF THE PASADENA POPS THIS SUNDAY!
III. MORE VIDEO GAME INFO
IV. UPCOMING MEMBER CONCERTS AND NEWS
V. READER COMMENTS
Greetings Local 47 Colleagues!
We’ve received copies of the ROPA resolution concerning the Pasadena
Pops from many directions in the last few days: the Local, members
of the Pasadena Pops themselves and even the RMA.
The Local stated in their mailing a couple of days ago that they support
the ROPA resolution. Well, who wouldn’t? The fact is the Local 47
administration did little until members started making waves and going
to the press.
At the recent AFM convention President Espinosa told Local 47 member
Charles Fernandez that he had been called by orchestra management and
asked if the Local would have a problem with “merging” the orchestras.
According to President Espinosa, he told them, “It’s your organization,
you can do what you like”. President Espinosa then said he called Local 47
legal counsel Louis Levy, who he said had the same opinion.
Mr. Fernandez took the time to confirm what the President said, repeating
his statement back to him.
Later that day, President Espinosa confronted Mr. Fernandez, asking
if he’d been misrepresenting what had been relayed to him. Again
Mr. Fernandez repeated back what had been told to him by the President
and Mr. Espinosa admitted that he had quoted him correctly.
Though it was originally presented to President Espinosa as a merger,
a term he used at the convention, he is now saying, just today in
a “clarification” email from the Local that it’s not a merger but a
dissolution. Did Mr. Espinosa know it was a dissolution then?
Here is the resolution passed by the ROPA Convention.
I. RESOLUTION PASSED AT THE ROPA CONVENTION ON BEHALF OF PASADENA POPS MUSICIANS
ROPA Executive Board
Recommendation No. 4
to the ROPA Conference of 2007
Pasadena Pops Orchestra
Whereas, Solidarity with our fellow Union orchestral musicians is
critical to all our livelihoods; and
Whereas, The Pops Orchestra is an orchestra of the highest caliber;
and Whereas, The Boards and Managements of the Pasadena
Symphony and Pasadena Pops Orchestra have decided to merge
their orchestras into the Pasadena Symphony;
and
Whereas, The proposed merger will result in the unfair layoff of
all of the Pasadena Pops Musicians;
and
Whereas Union musicians should not allow orchestra managements
to take unfair advantage of the underemployment in our field by
offering new work to musicians in such a manner as to deprive
another group of their right to the work historically due them;
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the ROPA Conference of 2007 of the American
Federation of Musicians calls on the Pasadena Symphony and/or
any successor organization – in the strongest terms possible –
to continue to hire the musicians of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra
and to grant them tenure; and be it
Resolved, That the ROPA Conference of 2007 of the American
Federation of Musicians calls on the Pasadena Symphony and/or
any successor organization to immediately begin to bargain in
good faith with the Professional Musicians Local 47, of the American
Federation of Musicians to use the Pasadena Pops Musicians for
the work that will be produced as part of their “Pops” services;
and be it
Resolved, That ROPA shall present a copy of this Resolution to
the Pasadena Symphony Musicians and its Players’ Committee,
and to the Executive Board of Professional Musicians Local 47,
and urges those bodies to provide their unconditional support of
the Pasadena Pops Musicians; and be it further
Resolved, That the ROPA leadership present this Resolution to
the 2007 ICSOM Conference and urge the adoption of similar
legislation in support of the Pasadena Pops Musicians.
============
II. FREE CONCERT BY MEMBERS OF THE PASADENA POPS!
This Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 at 7pm, members of the
Pasadena Pops will present a free concert at the Pasadena
Presbyterian Church. The church is located at 585 E. Colorado.
(Colorado Blvd. at Madison).
The concert is being called an “informance” concert (We thought
“informance performance” would have been more catchy).
The concert will be conducted by members Barry Socher and Ray
Burkhart and will feature piano soloists Susan Svrcek and Delores
Stevens. The program will include Vivaldi, Sibelius, Carnival of the
Animals and Peter and the Wolf with new texts by Peter Schickele
narrated by special guest Rich Capparela.
Please come out and support these wonderful musicians whose jobs
are at risk and find out how you can help!
Donations will be accepted.
============
III. MORE RECENT INFO ABOUT VIDEO GAMES
Recently the RMA sent out a “Video Game Alert” saying members
should call the AFM and ask for the specifics of the sessions when
they’re called. The fact is, it’s the CONTRACTORS’ responsibility to
know these details and anyone called for those sessions should call
the contractor first. The RMALA leadership is simply trying to make
it more difficult to do that business here and basically whine because
they’re not controlling it.
We recently spoke with someone from the Eastwood Stage at Warner
Brothers. He informed us that, though things have been OK, within a
week of the introduction of the new AFM Video Game agreement they
had six new calls to book Video Game sessions! The action by the AFM has
made a measurable difference here. If we can keep the RMALA leadership
from trying to undermine that work things will continue to improve.
In the interest of full disclosure, we will now include the RMA’s mailing
and a response from an active and experienced contractor in the San
Francisco area.
——
RMA VIDEO GAME ALERT
The AFM is putting together multiple individual contracts to cover
videogame scoring. It seems that each videogame scoring call that
goes out has different wages, terms and conditions. This practice is
causing endless confusion for musicians, contractors and composers
– even the answering services.
Musicians don’t know what they are going to be paid when they are
offered these calls. The AFM has withheld information from Local 47
as well. John Acosta is our Electronic Media Administrator at Local 47;
he can’t answer your questions when the AFM hides the ball. These
deals are being arranged by the AFM, not Local 47 (or the contractor).
Legally, the AFM is obligated to tell you the wages and terms and
conditions of your employment. Logically, since the AFM is creating
these deals in secrecy, they are the only ones who actually know the
details of each contract. Only the AFM can give you answers.
The AFM is handling this industry in a way that causes confusion and
denies us straightforward rights. We are concerned about the many
reports we are receiving from musicians who feel they are not being
protected by the AFM. The RMA is both pursuing this issue within the
union and looking at potential external legal remedies.
While working together as a community is our greatest strength, RMA
fully recognizes and respects each member’s right to handle business
in their own way, and has no desire to dictate anybody’s decisions. With
that in mind, we suggest that you please consider the following course of
action:
When you get a call for a videogame session, please
-Explain to the service or the contractor that you need to put the call
on hold briefly.
-Then, both place a phone call and send an email to the American
Federation of Musicians and request a copy of the contract covering
the work you have been offered . The person to contact is Savina
Ciaramella. Her email is [email protected] (you may copy the RMA
at [email protected]). and her phone number is (213) 251-4510
ext. 202.
-Please let her know by both phone and email that you need an
immediate response, as hanging up a contractor is inconvenient to
all and potentially threatening to future employment.
It is our hope that the AFM will provide real information to members
about their employment. It is also our hope that they will stop making
secret sweetheart deals, and allow the musicians who do the work to
participate in their own livelihoods. In the meantime, following the
procedure outlined above will help us protect ourselves
——-
CONTRACTOR RESPONSE TO THE RMA
Dear Committee: I have a response to the RMALA article re: video game
scoring sessions. Please feel free to disseminate and /or print this response.
It’s up to the contractor of the video game session to notify the musicians
about the rates and terms of the video game scoring sessions that they’re
contracting. Every contractor knows this information and it’s their
responsibility to notify the players when offering work and to give the players
the option of playing or not. I do this by email which makes it incredibly easy.
My players are fully aware of what they’re being engaged for and, incidentally,
not one musician has refused work due to terms or wages. The order of
command for disseminating information to the musicians is thus:
1. The contractor
2. Your local union
3. AFM
If John Acosta doesn’t have the information, he can call the AFM or the
contractor and find out. Or better yet, the contractor should have an
open dialog with your Local. I, personally, prefer to have Savina Ciaramella
at the AFM continue to pursue work by cementing relationships with the
video game industry and composers…. as she has been doing very effectively…,
rather than answer your phone calls which should be directed to your
contractor or local union. It difficult to imagine that RMALA wouldn’t see this
as the obvious solution. We don’t seem to have these problems in San
Francisco.
Janet Ketchum, contractor, San Francisco
=============
IV. UPCOMING MEMBER CONCERTS AND NEWS
From Local 47 member James Domine
Dear Friends,
After a lot of time and trouble, my book the Naked Man is finally
available. Check it out at www.LuLu.com, Regards,
JD
Relevant links: www.sfvsymphony.com
www.maestrojamesdomine.com
———–
Notice from Marcy Vaj
I am inviting you to attend a premiere concert of a men’s chamber
ensemble of nineteen voices who have been recruited from Angeles
Chorale, UCLA Music Department, Gay Men’s Chorale, Jouyessence
Early Music Ensemble, Mansfield Chamber Singers, Angel City Chorale
and Westwood Presbyterian Choir.
Two concert will be presented on September 8th and 9th.
CANTANTES HOMINES
Men’s Chamber Ensemble
Premier Concert: VOX VIRTUS
Arian Khaefi, Conductor
Dr. Namhee Han, Keyboardist
Mark Popeney, Guest Composer
Marcy Vaj, Violin soloist on Fauré, Critique de Jean Racine
Saturday, September 8th at 6 PM
St. Augustine’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church
1227 4th St. (1/2 block south of Wilshire Blvd.)
Santa Monica, 90401 – 1(310)399-8321
$10 adults and $5 seniors/students.
Sunday, September 9 at 6 PM
Westwood Presbyterian Church
10822 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, 90024 – 1(310)474-4535
Tickets – $10 Parking on site
Proceeds to benefit Westwood Presbyterian Church
Works by Fauré, Ruffo, Hanawait, Burleigh, Hassler, Cagle, Wagner,
Whitacre, Randall Thompson, and Tormis. Lyric works by poets Robert
Frost, Edwad Esch and Edgar Allan Poe are in the program. The concert
will feature a new work by Mark Popenay, UCLA PhD student in
Composition.
————
Leslie Lashinsky and Stan Ayeroff announce the next concert of
BOBBI AND THE STAN BAND
At BOULEVARD MUSIC
4316 Sepulveda Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90230
(Sepulveda near Culver Blvd.)
September 8, 2007 at 8pm (doors open at 7:30 PM)
The Stan Band featured:
Bobbi Page – Vocals
Stan Ayeroff – Guitar
Sid Page – Violin
Paula Hochhalter – Cello
Leslie Lashinsky – Bassoon
Dave Stone – Bass
Brian Kilgore – Percussion
For tickets and info call (310) 398-2583
————
Note from Dan Redfeld
Hey there!
I’m music directing and conducting a 27-piece orchestra on Sept. 17th at
the Ford Amphitheatre in a single night performance of the musical Chess.
Lyrics by Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Beauty & the Beast….etc…)
and music by Benny Andersson & Bjorn Ulvaeus (the guys from ABBA). You
can get tickets at the Ford website or check or Goldstar Tickets for discounts.
The show’s selling out fast.
Not only will you get to see an amazing show, but you’ll hear some new
orchestrations by yours truly. And the best part is: the version we’re doing is
about 98% London score, which has NEVER been seen or heard in North
America!
The cast includes Susan Egan (Tony nominee for Beauty & the Best), Kevin Earley
(Broadway: Les Miz & Thoroughly Modern Millie), Cindy Robinson (Broadway:
Peter Pan, Into the Woods, Carousel), Matt Morrison (Broadway: Hairspray, Light
in the Piazza), etc. There is a 20-person ensemble on stage backed by an 18-
piece choir.
This is a once in a lifetime experience! And the best part, a portion of the
proceeds goes to Actors Equity Fights AIDS.
Also, check out the following links for more info, including photos, etc.
Official website: http://www.themusicalchess.com/Index.html
Myspace page: www.myspace.com/chess2007
============
V. READER COMMENTS
The views expressed here are those of the participating readers and not
necessarily those of the COMMITTEE.
12 or more years ago when Seattle reared it’s ugly head and decided to offer
recordings for cash and carry, It was then that the AFM and local 47 had to
address the reasons why Seattle would become successful, and it was then that
we had to look for ways to KEEP employers & composers in LA recording. But
that didn’t happen because a small but mighty group (RMALA-elite) decided it
was THEIR way or the highway – and that small but mighty group owned the local
47 elected officials who were on the International Executive Board of the AFM.
Things have recently changed AFM wise. The AFM is now at a crossroads but
unfortunately it may be too late. Now, we are in complete chaos and turmoil
because the recording scene has the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
The fact that the AFM and local 47 did not listen to employers needs and preferences
goes against ALL reality business techniques and practices. Globalization is a
horrible reality, but it does need to be reckoned with one way or another.
Technology never reverses itself…when you can drive to a guys studio in Santa
Monica and watch the Prague Orchestra record your score for about 2 grand an
hour…..the old way of doing business is OVER. Adapt or die is what needs to
happen and from what I hear the AFM is NOW ready to do that. Move over RMALA
elite and let the work come back to town with front end benefits – period….(and
since when is PENSION not considered a form of BACK END)? You do not have to
do it and if you stand in the way of those choosing to do it be prepared for the
consequences. You had a good run from 1966 (when special payments fund was
established) till about ten years ago, so don’t complain. Things have changed and
hopefully it’s not too late for LA recording community to regain the title of Recording
capitol of the world. Sad that we are even in a “place” like we are right now.
In the words of recently deceased local 47 member HARVEY COHEN
“Last one left in LA’s studio scene turn the lights out”
boy was he ever right……..
—————-
Comments concerning the Local’s support of the ROPA resolution
and the Pasadena Pops….
It is very interesting that Local 47 is happy to endorse other groups’
support for the Pasadena Pops musicians. Why hasn’t Local 47 written
a strong statement in behalf of their own members at any point? And
why did they not sound the alarm and take action the moment they
knew jobs were in jeopardy? In fact they gave approval of the merger
until a frustrated musician was interviewed by the press, and miraculously
Local 47 immediately filed two Unfair Labor Practices with the Department
of Labor. (One of the ULPs has already been dropped.)
It all started when the Pasadena Pops Orchestra announced that, even though
they were doing just fine, they were going out of business and selling all
assets to the Pasadena Symphony “for the good of the community”. It was
much more about the Pops conductor getting rid of a bunch of musicians
that she didn’t particularly care for, which is against labor law. (And she is
already lobbying to get a large chunk of the Pasadena Symphony conductor’s
gig.) Musical organizations are now jumping on the bandwagon to support
saving the Pops musicians’ jobs. It is probably too little too late already,
and what is going on is just posturing. The Pasadena Pops musicians
themselves have organized a “consciousness-raising” concert this Sunday
evening. Many of these fine musicians have performed with the Pops for
more than 20 years. The sincere hope is that the concert is not just a musical
farewell, and that some action can be generated. Local 47 officers have stated
that there is nothing more to be done until management responds to an
information request made in the ULP, which undoubtedly will not happen
until after the last Pops concert. Fait accompli, done deal, 65 jobs vanish.
Pops musicians have filed many grievances over the years, and with good
reason. There are those who believe that Local 47 officers may also want
the Pops to go away. How else can you explain such a dismal response
from our local. For years there have been rumors about a cozy relationship
with the orchestra next door in San Gabriel. Makes you wonder if our president
is still playing golf with influential members of the Pasadena Pops Board. The
only leverage that our union has at this late date is to call a strike on the last
Pops concerts of the season on the second weekend of September. Let’s see
if just this once our union officials will be leaders, even if we have to
embarrass them into it.
————
Seems very simple to me. The season didn’t go away….the venue didn’t
go away….the playing positions didn’t go away…in lay terms, the factory
did not close or relocate, nor did the manufacturer re-tool. The only
change, is that the same Pops positions will be filled by another group of
workers. Still trying to understand why the Union has not insisted that
the current Pops (tenured) workforce be given the right of first refusal
for their summer Pops positions under the “merger” agreement. While
the Union cannot stop the business transaction between the two
orchestras, it surely has the power to negotiate for the players involved.
Doesn’t it?
I tend to agree with many of the musicians not involved with this directly.
The Union has known about this since before the current season started
and has only now, only one week prior to the end of the summer season,
made some kind of “look what we are doing for those musicians” effort.
Quite frankly, if any of those Pops musicians find themselves working
next summer, they will not have their Union to thank. Wonder who they
will be?
————–
Dear Committee:
I receive your emails both at the office and at home, and always read
them. While I don’t agree with many of the comments, and while I dislike
the way in which (what I may consider) opinion, misinformation or downright
lies are sometimes put forward as TRUTH, I do respect the right of free
speech and the email forum the committee provides. I have spoken to —
——- and others, criticizing what I find to be a lack of journalistic due
diligence in researching and confirming information before it’s published as
fact. In our litigious land, such scrutiny is not only courteous, but prudent.
This is my first email to the Committee. I expected at some point to be
referred to by name (or expletives!) in your emails, and that just occurred
in the August 23, 2007 Blast/Issue/Transmission. What should I call your
email enterprise? Why “Committee Communication”, of course, ’cause I’m
always into alliteration. Anyway, you posted a “Forward of a letter sent to
the appointed Secretary, Leslie Lashinsky”, and since that’s me, I’ll respond.
I don’t remember receiving it, so I’ll look through the letters on file from those
musicians resigning and asserting their “Beck” rights, or other folders/piles
where it may be sleeping or breeding. It’s a good letter – straight and to the
point. I don’t agree with some of its assumptions, but understand its sense of
urgency and frustration. I am committed to communication and dialogue.
Let’s problem solve. Talk to me. I’m not much of a computer correspondent,
but rather prefer meeting in person or by phone (ONLY at Local 47, please
(323) 993-3159 or (323) 993-3160 or [email protected]).
There aren’t enough hours in the day to respond to every issue or duty or letter
I’m charged with in my professional and personal lives, but I do my best. I like the
process, I like people and I LOVE MUSIC, and truly want musicians to succeed.
Sincerely,
Leslie Lashinsky
Secretary/Treasurer AFM Local 47
[COMMITTEE RESPONSE:
Ms. Lashinsky, the content we offer always contains one or more of four elements:
1.) Factual news which directly or indirectly concerns our Local’s membership,
2.) Informed editorial content,
3.) Uncensored reaction from our readers, and
4.) Reader-submitted announcements.
They fulfill four different functions, and are subject to four different levels and
standards of handling.
The first is factual, the second is reasonable, and the other two are referred content
from readers as a public service, and for which we always publicly decline
responsibility. To fulfill our vision of providing a forum for union musicians to
exercise their right to speak their conscience, free of retribution (but subject o the
bounds of taste and prudence,) we don’t censor our readers.
It is absolutely critical that you keep this in mind as you become a subject of
public interest in your acting position as a Local officer.
The unprecedented, wide-ranging, and ever-growing interest and support of our
efforts is only due to our readers’ recognition that what we report and comment
on is factual, reasonable and, foremost, of vital interest. We sprang into being,
unpaid and in good faith, when our Local experienced several historic failures in
its duty to serve and protect its members. Our credibility is our only asset, and it
serves us and our Local not at all to jeopardize it by frivolously trafficking in
“downright lies” as you put it. That’s why it has always been our policy, within the
time limits available to us as volunteers, to verify what we report and promptly
correct any inadvertent errors that may be reported to us.
For the sake of your own credibility, if you want to accuse anyone of spreading
“downright lies,” you would do well to specify WHAT lies and then make the case
for WHY they are lies. To date, despite making the request many times, we have
yet to receive substantive challenges to what we have reported.
Your name only became an issue as part of a letter submitted by a reader – not
as part of a Committee-generated editorial.
Also, please note, Ms. Lashinsky, that regardless of your attack on the Committee,
we printed the advertisement for your upcoming concert – free of charge, as is
our custom.
Additionally, there’s a rumor going around that the COMMITTEE is not removing
names when requested. Buffalo bagels. Every mailing includes an unsubscribe
link. The process usually unfolds in one of three ways:
1) Most of the time the process is totally automatic. We simply receive the notice
that a name has been removed.
2) Occasionally, the process doesn’t work, so the reader informs us that they were
unsuccessful. In those cases we go in manually and unsubscribe the reader.
Barring notice from a reader, we cannot know of the malfunction, but perhaps it
will work on the next mailing.
3) In rare cases (Two so far,) the reader will inform us that the remove link does
not work. We must then go into the system to remove the name, but when we attempt
to do so the system reports that the name cannot be found. In such cases, we need to
look at the entire list and find the name, which we are willing to do.
If you hear any such rumors, please let us know so we can address them. We are here
for any member who wants the whole story and not just what the Local administration
wants you to know.
Anyone preferring to stay in the dark is more than welcome to do so.
THE COMMITTEE
Sincerely,
COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47]
————
Please remind the union members and Leslie Lashinsky that going Financial Core and
or Beck status is a protected SUPREME COURT right to all union members. Those
members cannot be legally DISCRIMINATED against whatsoever for exercising
their rights.
————
…. Concerning our comments on VP Trombetta’s column
VERY well done!
I try to understand why our Officers continue to think that they can print
false information and have it pass for facts.
Every false move ends up in print in the Committee blog.
We need EVERYONE to vote on Union issues, and this deceptive mindset would
cease.
————
yes..i did see that…and thought it was pathetic…and pretty much knew who it
was directed at…
very sad…
see you oct 22…
Wow, Vince can go to HAL Tooo
————
thanks for printing – hope all are reading – jesus help us –
————
Hi,
Is it true the case re: Errol Henry was settled in January?
How much did that cost us?
(Editor’s note: Yes, we hear Mr. Henry’s case was settled. We do not know
what the final settlement was. The Local is still facing legal action from
fired CD SALES/RADIO AIRPLAY Department head Barbara Markay.)
============
Don’t forget the General Membership Meeting on October 22. WE NEED
YOUR PARTICIPATION!
Until next time,
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47