I. WELL, THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG
\nII. A DESPERATE MOVE
\nIII. A WAR CHEST FOR LAWSUITS?
\nIV. ANOTHER VIEW
\nV. COMMENTS
\nVI. EVENTS<\/p>\n
…Absolutely guaranteed anonymity – Former Musician’s Union officer
\n…The one voice of reason in a sea of insanity – Nashville ‘first call’
\nscoring musician
\n…Allows us to speak our minds without fear of reprisal – L.A. Symphonic musician
\n…Reporting issues the Musicians Union doesn’t dare to mention – National touring musician<\/p>\n
Name Withheld<\/p>\n
===================================<\/p>\n
I. WELL, THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG<\/p>\n
Two days after the Lawyer’s letter was hand delivered to the
\nBoard of LOCAL 47, the Local’s Counsel sent a letter to
\nthe Lawyer, Robert Hershman, demanding the names of ALL
\nof the members he represents.<\/p>\n
This was exactly why the two main plaintiffs, Helen Crosby
\nand Charles Fernandez, agreed not to share the names
\nof their like minded colleagues with Mr. Hershman<\/p>\n
The Counsel couldn\u2019t refute anything in the letter, so he wants to go
\nafter those members who dare question the Local\u2019s edict.<\/p>\n
The identity of those members who’ve contributed to the costs
\nof the lawyer’s fees and those who haven’t but support the cause in
\nother ways will NEVER be given to the Local. The main plaintiffs
\nconsider those names sacrosanct, and the Local has no right to
\nthem.<\/p>\n
The charges are just as legit whether they represent one member
\nor 200, or 2000.<\/p>\n
We see no need to expose colleagues to the possibility of retaliation
\n for exercising their rights as union members.<\/p>\n
It is that guarantee of anonymity that has helped the COMMITTEE
\nover the last 10 years become the most trusted place for friend
\nand foe alike to express their thoughts without fear of retribution.<\/p>\n
The co-plaintiffs will protect their like minded members
\nwith exactly the same ferocity.<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
===================================<\/p>\n
II. A DESPERATE MOVE?<\/p>\n
It has come to our attention that one of the
\nrealtors is sending letters to their friends in the
\nlocal to elicit a yes vote.<\/p>\n
It appears to be a form letter, but is personalized
\nto the individual.<\/p>\n
The Phrase “I saw your name on a list a week ago or so that you
\nhad not sent in your ballot yet.” is contained in the letter.<\/p>\n
So how did the realtor (member or not) gets access to a list that
\ncontains private information about the voting members? <\/p>\n
The Realtor is:
\n1) Not on the board.
\n2) Not on the election committee.
\n3) Not a member of the administration in any way. <\/p>\n
So who gave them access?<\/p>\n
Yet another inside job by the Local to grease the skids,
\neven if that means giving inappropriate access to private
\ninfo of members voting, or non-voting habits.<\/p>\n
Can those against the sale request and receive the names of
\nthose who’ve not voted? If not, this was totally inappropriate.
\nBut they’ll find some excuse and brush it off, knowing most of
\nthe membership will say nothing and do even less.<\/p>\n
Are you supporters starting to sense a problem yet?<\/p>\n
Is there anything they won’t do? When will the other
\nshoe drop.<\/p>\n
This entire referendum from the start has been a poster child
\nfor the saying, “Better to ask forgiveness than permission”<\/p>\n
The entire letter, received by more than one member,
\nAppears below\u2026.<\/p>\n
From: name redacted
\nSubject: music note
\nDate: January 6, 2016 Time Stamp Redacted
\nTo: Recipient name redacted<\/p>\n
Happy New Year! Please read the following and advise me how to respond.
\nI have been harassed by the VP’s secretary, who had the balls to ask
\nwhich way I was voting!?~~ Now this….<\/p>\n
——<\/p>\n
Dear, Recipient name Redacted<\/p>\n
I hope the New Year finds you well. I of course am the Union
\nmember Realtor handling the upcoming sale of the Musician’s
\nUnion. I saw your name on a list a week ago or so that you had
\nnot sent in your ballot yet. We are getting very close to the
\nballots necessary but I would hate to not make the quota and
\nhave to waste time and Union money starting over, etc.<\/p>\n
In case you haven’t been following, in short, the Union wants to
\nsell it’s building (about 24 million) and buy and modernize another
\nbuilding (10-14 million). Keeping a similar sized building and all
\nthe amenities we have now plus a few new ones. So we would put
\nabout 10 million into a safe investment and could use the interest
\n to promote musical activities and more work!<\/p>\n
A Yes vote means the Union is allowed to sell the building for
\n22 million or more. A No vote means there will be no sale.<\/p>\n
Please vote! I am writing you instead of Union phone bank
\ncontacting you time after time, I figured you would appreciate
\nthat.<\/p>\n
IF you have misplaced or lost your ballot, NO PROBLEM,
\nplease let me know I and will direct you to a way to get a new one.<\/p>\n
I know because I am often guilty of not taking a minute or two
\nto fill out a ballot, but I believe this is important for the future
\nof our Musician’s Union and our livelihood.<\/p>\n
So could you just reply back to me and let me know you got
\nmy email and whether you wish to vote or not. We have to
\ncontact over 6,000 members and I don’t want to keep
\ncontacting you over and over if you have sent in or are
\nin the process of sending in ballot.<\/p>\n
Thanks<\/p>\n
[EC: According to the person who received the letter,
\nthey had not heard from him since college and now wants
\nsupport to get thousands of dollars in commissions. <\/p>\n
While the realtor does not lose his right as a member to voice
\nhis support or to solicit…he should have recused himself in
\nthis instance. \u00a0Except to perhaps his actual friends in his sphere.<\/p>\n
But again, the use of the members private voting status (Supplied by
\nsomeone at the Local) to us is egregious.]<\/p>\n
===================================<\/p>\n
III. ANOTHER VIEW<\/p>\n
Hi Committee<\/p>\n
I wanted to clarify one part of the voting procedure used in
\nthe sale of the building. \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
The voting procedure for election of officers does not necessarily
\nhave to be used in other instances where a vote of the membership
\nis required. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Federal law requires that In an election, all measures must be
\ntaken to ensure that no candidate has an unfair advantage over
\nanother. Therefore, no candidate may use union funds (newsletters,
\nunion phones, union website, union logo or letterhead, union
\ncredit card, etc) to promote their candidacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Similarly, no union officer or candidate for election should have
\naccess to the balloting process which includes the creation or
\nprinting of the ballot, distribution of the ballot or collection
\nand tabulation of the ballots.\u00a0 Most locals have a mechanism
\nfor the creation of an election committee which has the responsibility
\nof conducting the election which includes all of the items previously
\nmentioned. \u00a0<\/p>\n
I don’t believe there is a legal requirement that all non-election issues
\nfollow the same procedure in terms of the membership voting an
\nissue up or down.\u00a0 So under Local 47 bylaws, there may not be a
\nprocedure in place for non-election membership voting which means
\nany decisions regarding a membership vote would be entirely at the
\ndiscretion of the board. \u00a0<\/p>\n
While the attorney seems to imply differently, I don’t think there is a
\nlegal bar for the Officers or board of Local 47 to use the local newsletter
\nin support of a yes vote on the sale and I doubt if there is a legal
\nrequirement to allow those in opposition to be given space in the
\nnewsletter. \u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Mr. Hirshman raises a terrific moral point in terms of the
\nvoting process in that he ties this important decision of a lifetime
\nfor the members of Local 47 to the transparency that is apparent
\nwhen the election voting procedures are utilized. And transparency
\nis needed in all matters that affect the membership.<\/p>\n
Wishing everyone the best for 2016.<\/p>\n
==============================================<\/p>\n
IV. A WAR CHEST FOR LAWSUITS?- MEMBER COMMENT<\/p>\n
In doing a web search, it looks like the AFM has been
\nbusy filing lawsuits against major industry players in 2015.<\/p>\n
April 27, 2015 Variety (US edition)
\nCase filed 4\/24\/15. Levy, Ford & Wallach\/Bredhoff & Kaiser
\nAFM v. Warner Bros. Paramount, and MGM<\/p>\n
May 7, 2015, Hollywood Reporter…Case Filed 5\/26\/15. Levy,
\nFord & Wallach… AFM v. Columbia, Paramount, Twentieth
\nCentury Fox,Universal City, Walt Disney Pictures, and Warner Bros.<\/p>\n
July 8, 2015, Variety ….AFM v.Sony …Michael Jackson’s “This Is It”
\nCase filed in New York.<\/p>\n
Aug. 11, 2015, Hollywood Reporter…”The American Federation
\nof Musicians of the United States and Canada continues on
\nits aggressive legal campaign …..”
\nAFM v. Sony, Universal Music Group,Warner Music branches
\nWarner Bros. Records and Atlantic, and Disney’s Hollywood Records.<\/p>\n
International Musician September 22, 2015…AFM files suit
\nagainst the French company KIDAM.<\/p>\n
Seems like the AFM would love to access that 10 million war
\nchest the Local would get if they get the votes to sell….
\nAnd who would get any small amount of work that is gotten
\nthrough lawsuits? The RMA of course. Nothing ever changes
\nfor the Local’s true masters.<\/p>\n
Nice big paycheck for the counsel too. What a surprise.<\/p>\n
===================================<\/p>\n
V. COMMENTS<\/p>\n
A beautiful expose on the attitude of the union to be like
\na government and to manipulate the vote of its constituents
\n\/members.<\/p>\n
It was never easy to answer the call of the union to sell
\nthe building as they set up their strategy to not allow
\nequal time to members that opposed the sale. <\/p>\n
A sad commentary on equality.<\/p>\n
It is time for the union to wake up and stop is myopic
\nvision of our business and also change legal council
\nthat panders to the union view and never considers the
\nmember view.<\/p>\n
Shame on the Officers and Directors. You all can do better
\nthan that. Such a wishy washy rubber stamp on our future.<\/p>\n
——————————–<\/p>\n
Useful information. Fortunate me I found your website by
\nchance, and I am surprised why this coincidence did not
\nhappened earlier! I bookmarked it.<\/p>\n
\n========================================<\/p>\n
VI. EVENTS<\/p>\n
DEAN AND RICHARD<\/p>\n
DEAN AND RICHARD are now playing every third Friday
\nat Culver City Elks 7:30pm-10;30pm,
\n11160 Washington Pl.
\nCulver City, 90232
\n310-839-8891<\/p>\n
————————————-<\/p>\n
LA WINDS JAZZ KATS 584<\/p>\n
NO COVER, NO MINIMUM.
\nEvery 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at Viva Cantina
\n7:30-10:00.
\n900 Riverside Drive, Burbank.<\/p>\n
Free parking across the street at Pickwick Bowl.
\nCome hear your favorite charts played the way they
\nshould be. <\/p>\n
We are in the back room called the Trailside Room. <\/p>\n
Come on down. Guaranteed to swing.<\/p>\n
—————————————–<\/p>\n
1\/16\/15<\/p>\n
SOMEDAY GIRL
\nOpens for Pamela Clay’s Birthday Party Show!<\/p>\n
Please note the Venue change<\/p>\n
Saturday, January 16th 7pm SHARP!<\/p>\n
DOORS OPEN AT 6:30pm SHOW 7-9:30pm<\/p>\n
“3-Shows-in-One” night at Rain – Studio City, CA<\/p>\n
Headed by accredited songwriter\/vocalist Amanda Abizaid and
\ninstrument programmer\/musician Lindsay Gillis, Someday
\nGirl http:\/\/www.somedaygirl.com will perform songs from their
\nlatest release “Someday Girl Vol 2” backed by electronic tracks. <\/p>\n
Special dance performance with actress\/dancer Pamela Adamic
\nand Abel Hernandez.<\/p>\n
All-original 7-piece New Orleans-flavored rock band, Catahoula
\nheadlines (Pamela Clay, Bruce Bermudez, Floyd Van Buskirk,
\nLindsay Gillis, Jon OHara, Coco Roussel + Bob Schoonover) <\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.CatahoulaMusic.com . <\/p>\n
Pamela Clay will also sing a solo set (from Piaf to Janis + more!),
\naccompanied by fellow Catahoula players Lindsay Gillis, Jon O’Hara,
\nCoco Roussel as well as the masterful David Moscoe at the piano.<\/p>\n
Doors open at 6:30pm. Please arrive early to meet Amanda, Lindsay,
\nPamela Clay and the band members.
\n$10 Tickets Online or $15 at the Door
\nhttp:\/\/www.brownpapertickets.com\/event\/2483189<\/p>\n
Location
\n12215 Ventura Blvd, Fl 2nd
\nStudio City, CA
\n(818) 770-0691<\/p>\n
—————————————–<\/p>\n
1\/23\/15<\/p>\n
San Fernando Valley Symphony Orchestra
\nJames Domine, Music Director, Presents\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
In Concert
\nSaturday Evening, January 23, 2016, 8:00 PM<\/p>\n
Tutor Family Center for the Performing Arts\u00a0
\nat Chaminade<\/p>\n
Program:<\/p>\n
Tchaikovsky
\nManfred Symphony<\/p>\n
Tchaikovsky
\nRococo Variations
\nErnest Carbajal, Jr., cellist<\/p>\n
Fernandez – Los Angeles Premier
\nThe Statue, Movement VI: The Lovers<\/p>\n
Tickets are available\u00a0on our website
\n\u00a0http:\/\/www.sfvsymphony.com\/
\nAt the Theater Box Office\u00a0
\nBy calling \u00a0(818) 347- 4807<\/p>\n
—————————————–<\/p>\n
2\/19,20,21\/16<\/p>\n
The EUROPEAN CONCERT TRIO
\n will present the premiere of Paul GIbson’s
\n“The Shepherd’s Lot”
\nin three February concerts.<\/p>\n
Harriet Fraser (soprano),
\nAmanda Walker (clarinet)
\nIrina Bazik (piano)<\/p>\n
Winners of the 2015 Beverly Hills National Auditions<\/p>\n
The European Concert Trio was formed in 2015 by
\nthree European-born, Los Angeles-based professional
\nartists, each having already established successful solo
\ncareers, to fulfill their passion for chamber music and
\nshare it with Southern California audiences.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fri, FEB 19 \u2013 Encinitas \u2013 7:30pm
\nThe City of Encinitas presents
\nMusic by the Sea concert series
\nEncinitas Library
\n540 Cornish Drive
\nTickets: $13, plus fee. Purchase tickets in advance here.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sat, FEB 20 \u2013 Torrance \u2013 3pm
\nClassical Crossroads &
\nFirstServe Community Services present
\nThe Interludes concert series
\nFirst Lutheran Church & School
\n2900 W. Carson Street
\nTickets: FREE, donations appreciated. Information here.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sun, FEB 21 \u2013 Beverly Hills \u2013 2pm
\nMusic in the Mansion concert series
\nGreystone Mansion
\n905 Loma Vista Dr.
\nTickets: $20. Information here.
\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
================================<\/p>\n
You can read all previous offerings at:http:\/\/www.responsible47.com
\nUNTIL NEXT TIME,
\nTHE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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