GREETINGS Fellow Local 47 Colleagues!,<\/p>\n
Following our printing of the letter of the Local\u2019s Secretary
\nTreasurer Serena Kay Williams, we got a number of
\nresponses we wanted to share with you.<\/p>\n
To Recap, here is the letter Serena sent:<\/p>\n
To; Committee for a More Responsible 47
\nFrom: Serena Kay Williams, Secretary-Treasurer
\nRe: Your Email Correspondence of June 9, 2005
\nDate: June 9, 2005<\/p>\n
Having read and re-read the collection of emails attributed to
\nyour committee, I find I must alter my original belief that your
\nCommittee was claiming to \u201crepresent Local 47\u201d. Upon
\nre-reading your series of emails, it has become clear that
\nyou never intended to represent the Local, but that you are,
\ninstead, a group of members who are sharing their concerns
\nwith one another.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Now that I have a clearer understanding of who you are, I want
\nto let you know that I have decided to refrain from directing
\nLocal 47\u2019s attorney to take any action regarding your
\ncommunications.<\/p>\n
Your letter of June 9 makes clear an undeniable point:
\nall Local 47 members deserve the right to freely express
\nthemselves. Please know that I will continue to respect this
\nright, and that I will continue to do the work that Local 47
\nmembers have elected me to do for two decades.<\/p>\n
As stated in my previous message, I offer you an invitation
\nto meet with me, face-to-face. I have found that clear, open
\ncommunication is the best way to foster unity, clarify problems,
\nand craft solutions. Of course, if you choose to remain
\nanonymous, I will respect your wishes.<\/p>\n
Thanks for your time and continued support!<\/p>\n
Serena Kay Williams
\n\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
Here are the comments that letter that this episode generated,
\nif any of these happen to be repeats we apologize:<\/p>\n
Dear Serena, after having read your letter to the committee,
\nit again becomes quite clear why you have been re-elected to
\nyour post time after time. You are even handed, articulate,
\nfair, honest, considerate, and so obviously have the welfare of
\nthe union membership always utmost in mind.
\nI am proud to know you.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
Dear Serena Kay Williams,<\/p>\n
As to your letter in which you state “Now that I have a clearer
\nunderstanding of who you are, I want to let you know that I have
\ndecided to refrain from directing Local 47\u2019s attorney to take
\nany action regarding your communications.”:<\/p>\n
I think it’s mighty big of you to “decide to refrain” on an
\nissue you created in your head without proper research. We
\nmembers can really count on you to keep a clear, open dialogue
\nwithout intimidation tactics at the fore. In sum, what a
\ncolossal nerve you have. Clearly you have been taking lessons
\nfrom our repressive Republican white house.<\/p>\n
Signed, a member in good standing for at least the same last two
\ndecades you’ve been in office.<\/p>\n
(EDITOR\u2019S NOTE: We did find it rather ironic that she would
\n do us the FAVOR of refraining, since we had done nothing
\nwrong and would only waste the union\u2019s money. It DID
\nhowever, enable her to not actually apologize, which we
\nnoticed but thought it best and more mature to simply move on.)<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
Bravo Serena!<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
I read with interest your email from Serena Williams
\nand your response. It seems to be the typical
\nresponse from the local when anyone poses an
\nalternative to the status quo is to call out the
\nlawyers. This is one reason why no one really wants
\nto voice their real opinion. I’m all for a strong
\nunion to protect film\/tv musicians from the studios
\nwho would abuse the musicians if giving half a chance.
\nBut I, like you, would like to see more equity among
\nALL the recording musicians. The union has no
\nincentive to change. Those who aren’t on the “A-list”
\nstill pay their dues. And who could blame them for not
\nwanting to change. They have a good thing going and
\nany change threatens that. Quite frankly, I don’t even
\nknow why musicians come to L.A. anymore. In Seattle
\nthey have a much better chance of working. <\/p>\n
If you really want to get the union in an uproar, ask
\nabout “core status.” Apparently it is an option that
\nis available to all union members but, of course the
\nunion doesn’t mention it. The way I understand it,
\ncore status allows people to work union AND non union
\njobs without any penalty. Plus you pay less in annual
\ndues and maybe even less in work dues. Of course you
\nwould run the risk of being blacklisted if word got
\nout you were core status. You probably would never
\nwork on the big projects if people knew you were core.
\nI don\u2019t know the ramifications to the solidarity of
\nthe union if a lot of people chose this status. But I
\nknow the union is fractured as we speak. <\/p>\n
(EDITOR\u2019S NOTE: Core status IS an option for being
\n a member of the union. As we understand it, You
\ncannot vote in union elections and you do not
\nreceive the Overture for free (You have to buy a
\nsubscription), but you can do ANY job, union or
\nnot and the union cannot penalize you, at least
\nnot officially. We do not know whether the union
\nfees are less, we will research it for you. The poster
\nabove IS correct that anyone who goes core status
\nwill probably never see the higher end gigs, unless
\nyour clout is such that your position cannot be
\ncompromised. The less this union does for the
\nmembership the more likely some will see the
\nwriting on the wall and go for this status. )<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
I’ve always found your email messages well-written,
\nthoughtful, fair and (bottom-line) quite clear on the
\nissue of representation. Please continue, without fear
\nof intimidation, along those same lines.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
Greetings.
\n I never responded to one of these before but I think
\nnow it’s time.
\n(Basically I’m down with everything you’re all talking about).
\n I’ve been a 47 member since 1990. I actually had to
\naudition in front of Serena to prove I was a player. Anyway,
\nto make a long story short. I haven’t done a union gig in
\ntwo years. I support myself playing music.
\nHell, I’ve been averaging two sessions a week for the last
\ncouple of years – just none of it union. I think this is a f***ing
\ntravesty. Let\u2019s not even talk about club gigs and casuals. Most
\nof the working players I know could relate the same situation.
\nI don’t really know what my point is other than that I’m feelin’
\nthe brotherhood. Keep up the dialogue.<\/p>\n
(EDITOR\u2019S NOTE: This poster brings up a great point. Please write
\n us and tell if we are mistaken, but you do NOT have to audition
\nto be a member of this union any more. Can you imagine that?
\nTry joining an electrical or machinist union without having to
\nshow skills! <\/p>\n
Of course, this little change in procedure a few years ago
\nworked out quite well in getting a contractor into the union
\nranks to get the union benefits and to build their influence
\nwithout having to actually PLAY an instrument.<\/p>\n
This situation is absurd. It is the committee\u2019s position that
\nif you are going to be a member of this union you should be
\nable to show proficiency in some musical area OTHER than
\ncontracting or management. This is just one of the many areas
\nwhere the local needs to be brought into line.)<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
You just keep on Keeping on.
\nI support you 1000%.
\nPeople who have the guts to take a stand and to try to make a
\ndifference whilst taking all the slings and arrows are truly an
\nasset to this union.<\/p>\n
Something is really funny to me though. Something that most
\n“democracy loving people” seem to forget – A LOT!<\/p>\n
For something to truly be a democracy – that thing is a really
\nephemeral thing. It is an IDEA that lives in the hearts and minds
\nof people and cannot be destroyed by physical means. You can
\ndestroy it’s symbol (burning the flag) but you can’t destroy it,
\nbecause of where it lives and resides – which is in the hearts
\nand minds of people. An ephemeral\/almost spiritual thing
\ncannot be destroyed via physical means. You have to be able
\nto criticize it, poke it, even spit on it for it to truly be something
\nyou can fight for – something that can really stand up to the
\n“heat”. Most Conservative “Christian” Republicans forget about
\nthis and they confuse the act of desecrating a symbol with the
\ndesecration of the idea. (Yet the idea still remains!- funny) <\/p>\n
They see it as extremely distasteful and bad manners. But
\nsomething as bold and as noble as “Democracy” or “Free Speech”
\ncannot be harmed by a mere destruction of it’s symbol.<\/p>\n
Maybe my point will be better illustrated by this anecdote:
\nA Soldier-friend of mine served in Vietnam, was shot at,
\nwounded, sent home and when he returned through customs
\nat LAX in the early seventies there were protests. They were
\nangry sometimes violent protests directed at the Soldiers
\nreturning home. My friend came out of Customs only to be
\nspat upon by a protester and another person who witnessed
\nthat was admonishing the spitter and was going to take physical
\n action when the soldier turned and said to both of them –
\n“You don’t understand, that (and he pointed to the spit and the
\nspitter) is what I was fighting for.”<\/p>\n
Both the Spitter and the guy admonishing the spitter turned
\nand stood dumbstruck for a few moments while the realization
\nof what freedom of expression truly is and both apologized and
\nshook my friend’s hand.<\/p>\n
\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n
That\u2019s all for now. Keep your concert announcements, comments
\nand ideas coming folks.<\/p>\n
Till next time,<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
GREETINGS Fellow Local 47 Colleagues!, Following our printing of the letter of the Local\u2019s Secretary Treasurer Serena Kay Williams, we got a number of responses we wanted to share with you. To Recap, here is the letter Serena sent: To; Committee for a More Responsible 47 From: Serena Kay Williams, Secretary-Treasurer Re: Your Email Correspondence […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-committee-newsletters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/111\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}