I.\tMEMBERSHIP MEETING JANUARY 28th!
\nII.\tMORE ON THE NEW RS WEBSITE
\nIII.\tYET ANOTHER LOCAL 47 OFFICER ATTACK ON THE COMMITTEE
\nIV.\tEVENTS, CONCERTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS
\nV.\tMEMBER COMMENTS<\/p>\n
===================<\/p>\n
I.\tMEMBERSHIP MEETING, JANUARY 28th<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget the Membership meeting this coming January 28th,
\n7pm at the Union.<\/p>\n
As long as quorum is achieved, it will be a vote of the membership in
\nattendance as intended in a democracy and not the board choosing
\nfor all of us.<\/p>\n
Also, as a reminder. If you\u2019re going to run for the open board
\nseat and want to let everyone know, drop us a line. We\u2019ll get the
\nword out for you. <\/p>\n
===================<\/p>\n
II. MORE ON THE REFERRAL WEBSITE<\/p>\n
We received this further email from the member who has been in
\ncontact with the Local about the RS Website:<\/p>\n
—————<\/p>\n
Committee:<\/p>\n
I received an email from Amie Moore recently about the VP
\nOffice’s reply to my concerns about the limitations of the 47
\nreferral website. (A big thanks to Amie. She’s really on the stick!)<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The site cannot be upgraded because of prohibitive costs. That’s
\nunderstandable and plausible. The fact that the design was
\ninsufficient from the beginning (when there are literally thousands
\nof similar sites in the web) is now so much water under the
\nbridge. Too bad a good idea came out so wrong.<\/p>\n
At least I did get a reply. So maybe they ARE starting to hear
\nMembers. <\/p>\n
Now, if they could only create (enforceable) over-the\/by-the-
\ninternet tracking contracts for international use (at least a part of)
\n47 would be in the 21st century. <\/p>\n
Thank you guys for keeping us all informed.<\/p>\n
———————<\/p>\n
Colleagues,<\/p>\n
Can you believe it? After wasting tens of thousands of members\u2019
\ndues with no contract to guarantee accountability, having to
\nrestart from scratch, and knowing that their job would be
\nwatched, the board oked the creation of another website that
\nwas designed with no forethought to make the infrastructure
\nexpandable!<\/p>\n
Yet another slap in the face to the freelance musicians of our
\nLocal, but as you will see in the comments section the RMALA
\nhas managed to find a way to have multiple links to their site on
\nthe referral page. Now who could the webmaster be? They\u2019re
\nnothing if not shamelessly blatant.<\/p>\n
================<\/p>\n
III. YET ANOTHER LOCAL 47 OFFICER ATTACK ON THE COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
Another Overture, another attack on the COMMITTEE by an officer of
\nour Local. <\/p>\n
You\u2019ll find it not in the Secretary\u2019s column, but in another article
\nwith her by-line on page 11. If you bother to keep track, though
\nthe \u201cwriters\u201d are always different, the tenor and tone of the attacks
\nare always consistent, lending the impression that they spring from the
\nsame source.<\/p>\n
The section of the \u201cPolitical Action\u201d article reads:<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of committees, it seems to me the Committee for a
\nMore Responsible Local 47 is slowly but surely self-destructing.
\nBullying tactics and anonymous attacks and pervasive negativity
\nare weakening their platform and I believe that the Local\u2019s
\nmembership is too smart to fall for such antics. In my opinion,
\nthey have strayed far from their stated mission of providing a
\n\u201cforum for union musicians to exercise their right to speak their
\nconscience, free of retribution (but subject to bounds of taste
\nand prudence),\u2026\u201d A close look at the Committee reveals that
\ntheir e-mail forum has been a platform\/vehicle for expelled and
\nresigned former members and other non-members, including
\nemployers and producers, not to mention national union-busting
\norganizations, all promoting (consciously or not) an anti-union
\nagenda. If the Committee is about a \u2018responsible Local\u201d then
\nwhose side is in on: the Local\u2019s or the National Right to Work
\nCommittee?\u201d<\/p>\n
OUR REACTION<\/p>\n
In the past, when we\u2019ve been attacked by any source, we have
\nconsistently demanded one thing: facts to back up any assertions
\nin the attack. Absent any facts, the attacks are worthless, as our
\nreaders have come to accept. <\/p>\n
In this latest case, the cleverly-worded charge is the question: If
\nthe Committee is about a “responsible Local” then whose side is
\nit on: the Local’s or the National Right to Work Committee? <\/p>\n
Our response is: Neither, as these aren’t the only two players in
\ndrama. Please note that our attacks have never been on the Local,
\njust the questionable actions of those who run it. If the Local is
\nrun to any degree in a manner inconsistent with the best interests
\nof the true majority of its members, then questioning those actions
\nis not attacking the Local, but defending it. <\/p>\n
If we decry a decision of the local’s leadership (relating in this case
\nto Fi-core musicians) which we ethically assert runs counter to
\nFederal labor law court decisions, and the NRWC makes legal
\nthreats using the same position, that does not mean we support
\nthem in any way; we merely have independently reached a
\ncommon single conclusion. Or is anyone suggesting that we
\nmust completely support EVERY action taken by our Local’s
\nleaders, merely because of a coincidental attack by an outside
\nentity? <\/p>\n
Additionally, any attacks on our forum for accepting substantive
\ncomment from readera, regardless of current membership status,
\nbespeaks an arrogance that only current members have any wisdom
\nfrom which the Local or the National can benefit. Apparently
\nthose who are attacking our forum are taking a stand that people
\nwho might be victims of failed Local philosophies or policies
\ncan’t possibly have anything enlightened to say about it. What
\nhubris. Remember, to adopt the Fi-Core status, musicians had
\nto be union members first, in some cases for decades. These
\npeople have a story to tell about why they found it necessary to
\nleave, and it’s amazing and shameful that our Local has no desire
\nor wisdom to hear it. <\/p>\n
Our job at this Committee, taken from “Inherit The Wind,” is “to
\ncomfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” It will, in part,
\nreflect the input and interests of its readers which, quite naturally,
\nebb and flow from time to time. Do not expect the consistent
\ndelivery of a newspaper but, rest assured, we will be out there,
\nwatching our for you, the silenced majority: the rank-and-file.<\/p>\n
ANOTHER ASPECT TO THE ATTACK ON THE COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
Another angle to that last line is to realize that just 6 months ago, the
\n accusation was that the COMMITTEE was an agent of Federation
\nPresident Tom Lee. My, what a testament to our flexibility! Or could
\nit be that we are just a convenient surrogate for any faction they oppose? <\/p>\n
In that tradition, here are a few other opposing positions you can
\nexpect the COMMITTEE to be accused of in the upcoming months.<\/p>\n
-We\u2019re all Democrats; We\u2019re all Republicans
\n -We\u2019re all support HD-DVD; We all support Blu-ray
\n-We all use Mac; We all use PC.
\n-We prefer paper; We prefer plastic
\n-We follow B. F. Skinner; We follow Karl Jung
\n-We\u2019re bloods; We\u2019re crips
\n-We all like Analog; We all like Digital (Actually, we like both)
\n-We all support equal temperament; We all support mean-tone tuning.
\n-We believe it\u2019s more flavor; We believe it\u2019s less filling
\n-We all say Tomayto; We all say Tomahto
\n-We support Democracy, wherever it takes us – Well, that\u2019s true.<\/p>\n
We will print the views and concerns of ANY member, naturally
\nthere will be positions from all perspectives. That\u2019s democracy. <\/p>\n
==============<\/p>\n
IV. EVENTS, CONCERTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS<\/p>\n
JANUARY 25TH<\/p>\n
Notice from Kim Richmond:<\/p>\n
Dear fellow L.A. musicians,
\nI want you to know about the 6-piece Kim Richmond
\nEnsemble performance, next Friday at Cafe Metropol.
\nSee below for all the details.
\nThis is on the wake of our critically acclaimed new
\nCD release on the Origin label “Live at Cafe Metropol.”<\/p>\n
WHEN: Friday, January 25, 8 PM to 10
\nWHERE: Caf\u00e9 Metropol, 923 E. 3rd St., LA 90013
\nWHO: KIM RICHMOND Ensemble
\nJohn Daversa, trumpet
\nJoey Seller, trombone
\nRich Eames, piano
\nKristin Korb, bass
\nErik Klass, drums
\nKim Richmond, alto and soprano saxophones
\n(all the same personnel as on the recording)
\nCOVER: $10
\nGreat food, by the way.<\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
JANUARY 31ST<\/p>\n
Suezenne Fordham Chamber Jazz LA
\nThursday, January 31, 08
\nSteinway Hall at Fields Pianos
\n12121 West Pico Blvd at Bundy
\nWest LA, CA
\n818 371 7735<\/p>\n
Complimentary Admission
\nWe are a fusion of Bop, Classical Avant Garde with Tibetan Overtones.
\nEmphasis on fiery virtuosity and musicality. Ambience is arty. hip
\ncomfortable, historic. The Concert Experience with Jazz Passion.
\nThe music is readily accessible and totally absorbing.<\/p>\n
Suezenne Fordham, Steinway,
\nGu Zheng, Darren Ross, Drums and Percussion
\nNoah Garabedian, Contrabass
\nEnsemble plays Tibetan Instruments<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
DEADLINE JANUARY 31ST<\/p>\n
ATTENTION MUSIC STUDENTS AND TEACHERS!\u2028
\n$10,000 Scholarship Award\u2028 \u2028The MusicLink Foundation seeks
\ntalented music students ages 8-18 for\u2028the Jack Kent Cooke Young
\nArtist Award.\u2028
\n \u2028The MusicLink Foundation, working as a pipeline organization
\nfor the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, is seeking talented music
\nstudents in financial need who may qualify for the Jack Kent
\nCooke Young ArtistAward. The goal of the Jack Kent Cooke
\nYoung Artist Award is to identify and nurture talented young
\nmusicians whose lack of financial resources might otherwise
\nhinder their progress. <\/p>\n
Approximately twenty-five student musicians will be selected
\nannually to receive Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Awards. Each
\nof these students will: \u2028
\n1. Receive $10,000 to support his\/her education and artistic
\ndevelopment (including tuition, training, or equipment);\u2028
\n2. Perform on a live taping of \u201cFrom the Top’s\u201d National Public
\nRadio\u2028show; and\u2028
\n3. Participate in a Cultural Leadership workshop in order to create\u2028
\nand implement his\/her own performance outreach activity.\u2028 \u2028<\/p>\n
Eligibility is limited to pre-college classical musicians (ages 8-18).
\nStudent applicants must be interested in appearing on \u201cFrom the Top’s\u201d
\npopular National Public Radio show, and demonstrate:\u20281. Exceptional
\nmusical talent;\u20282. Unmet financial need; and\u20283. Strong academic
\nachievement.\u2028 \u2028<\/p>\n
FINAL DEADLINE: January 31, 2008\u2028 \u2028<\/p>\n
Application Process:\u2028 \u2028Students interested in this Award should fill
\nout both the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award application
\nand the From the Top Soloist application. Both applications can
\nbe found on From the Top’s website – www.fromthetop.org. Just
\nclick on the “Young Artist Award” link at the bottom of the page.
\nYou can also find additional information about the scholarship on
\nthis website including answers\u2028to frequently asked questions.\u2028 \u2028<\/p>\n
If you know of a student who may apply for this award or a teacher
\nwho may be working with talented students in financial need, please
\nforward this on. Please also send their names and email addresses to
\nJennifer Kitchin at singoutjen@verizon.net.\u2028 \u2028Please indicate on the
\napplication that you heard about the award through the MusicLink
\nFoundation (Student Application, Part IV, Question 5 =96 check the
\nbox for “MusicLink Foundation.”)\u2028 \u2028For more information, please
\ncontact:\u2028 \u2028Jennifer Kitchin\u2028singoutjen@verizon.net\u2028
\nhttp:\/\/www.musiclinkfoundation.org<\/p>\n
=====================<\/p>\n
V. MEMBER COMMENTS<\/p>\n
The comments below represent only the views of the members
\nand not necessarily the views of the COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
—————————<\/p>\n
Hello Committee,<\/p>\n
I just did a casual with a pretty large group. As required, the
\ncontractor sent in a list of all the musicians on the job. A fellow
\nplayer told me that in response, Local 7 sent the contractor not
\nonly a list of the core status people on the job, but a list that
\nincluded all the core status people. I don\u2019t know if it was all the
\nones from just Local 7 or the entire area including Local 47, but
\nisn\u2019t that illegal? Aren\u2019t they inviting lawsuits? , The notice also
\ntold the contractor not to use any agency fee people if the job
\nwasn\u2019t on a CBA.<\/p>\n
The whole point of core-status is to be able to do union and non-
\nunion. As long as a standard AFM contract is used, don\u2019t the
\nsame rules apply?<\/p>\n
[Editor\u2019s comment – We suggest you write or call the local and
\nask those specific questions, then let us know what the Local
\nsays. Our understanding is it\u2019s illegal for the Local to hand out
\nlists of all the fi-core folks to contractors, though the contractors
\ncan be informed of any fi-core musicians they have on their
\ncontracts. It\u2019s also against federal labor law for contractors to out
\nfi-core people to the other musicians on the job.<\/p>\n
It seems to us that the Local is going out of their way to affect the
\nability of these players to make a living in their chosen profession.
\nThose who have gone fi-core are not fly-by-night musicians. They
\nare veterans of our union, many for decades, who left because
\nthey felt they were not getting what they were paying for.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve also been told that Local 7 was complaining that Local 47
\nwas making it too easy for people to re-instate to full membership.
\nOdd position for a group that should welcome \u201creturning\u201d as well
\nas new members.]<\/p>\n
——————–<\/p>\n
YOUR UNION HARDLY AT WORK AND HARDLY MAKING IT WORK <\/p>\n
I don’t do the Desert Symphony, but I understand that while
\nHal Espinosa was negotiating with Marilyn and Ben, he had John
\nAcosta EMD (not the cellist John Acosta) call up the Art Garfunkel
\nmanagement several times and tell them, in so many words, not to
\nshow up because there was not going to be an orchestra. I also
\nunderstand that these calls to the Art Garfunkels management
\nresulted in the Desert Symphonies’ lawyers threat of a 10 million
\ndollar lawsuit against the union AND the union having to call the
\nmanagement company and apoloigize to them AND that the
\nDesert Symphony contract was subsequently ratified with lamentable
\ngains for the musicians as a result of the unions ‘brilliant’ negotiating
\nskills. I am sure the huge pay raise that was “won” after the debacle
\nof our administrations not-so-intelligent tactical blunders can be
\nmade up for with one less concert or hiring a few less musicians. <\/p>\n
——————–<\/p>\n
Dear Committee:<\/p>\n
I am absolutely amazed to see Mr. RMA Pete Anthony doing non-AFM union work
\n(conducting) in London on “The Water Horse.” Whether it’s Seattle or London,
\nit’s all the same and it’s non-union, non-AFM work. It’s an outrageous
\ndouble-standard for him to speak critically of others who do non-union work
\nand go out and do it himself, no doubt handsomely paid.<\/p>\n
Until the RMA elite start leading by example by NOT DOING NON-AFM WORK, they
\nhave NO PLACE criticizing ANYBODY who works non-union, whether it’s NES,
\nSeattle, London, Prague or any other non-union venue. If Pete Anthony, who
\nsays he’s a union supporter, is willing to so blatantly do non-union work,
\nthat speaks volumes about the RMA’s true lack of commitment to the concept
\nof unionism. Funny how these guys can be so critical of others, yet they now
\nare guilty of exactly the same thing – doing nonunion work – that they
\ncriticize others so much for. Complete and utter hypocrisy.<\/p>\n
And let’s not start with the “but it’s London, and that’s outside the US”
\nbaloney. That’s a completely false excuse – either it’s AFM or it’s not AFM.
\nPete Anthony and other AFM people like him working in London and elsewhere
\nare ENABLING the loss of work from LA musicians. The “free pass for London
\njobs” is nothing more than an excuse cooked up so some of the AFM’s top
\ncomposer and orchestrator members wouldn’t be criticized for doing non-AFM
\nwork. Amazing.<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
As quoted by Tom in the ” Fines” release last year, AFM Bylaws.
\nArticle 15, Section 3 provides: 3(a) No AFM member may perform
\nservices (whether as composer, arranger, copyist, proofreader,
\ninstrumentalist, leader, contractor, cutter, editor, or in any other
\ncapacity): (1) where the product of the services is intended to result in,
\nor be embodied in, recorded music made outside of the United Sates and
\nCanada and the possessions of either; or (2) for the purpose of producing,
\nediting, or dubbing recorded music except where expressly authorized and
\ncovered by a contract with the AFM or when expressly authorized by
\nthe AFM. 3(b) Any member violating Section 3(a) shall be subject to a \ufb01ne
\nnot exceeding $50,000 and\/or expulsion.<\/p>\n
I don’t see any language that provides a free pass for London…. Do you??<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Will the Officers’ bogus attacks on the COMMITTEE never end?
\nNo, I guess not.
\nTime after time, all their ridiculous, false accusations tell us all:
\nThe committee hits the mark!
\nThe committee is making the difference!
\nThe committee is galvanizing Members to action!<\/p>\n
Listen, You-Know-Who-You-Are, you insult our intelligence with
\nyour tired old “jump on the anti-COMMITTEE bandwagon” rhetoric.
\nGet a new writer… Oops! They’re on strike.<\/p>\n
——————-<\/p>\n
Oops! Caught with our pants down! Seattle Symphony (a non-union
\norchestra) gets a plug from RMALA<\/p>\n
The RMALA has a banner under the “LINKS” menu in the
\nMusicians Referral Service web site. However, the Musicians
\nReferral Service is not honored at all on the RMA web site, even
\nthough the Seattle Symphony (a non-union orchestra) gets a
\nplug from the RMALA, who are listed under the “ORCHESTRAS”
\nmenu. I would also like to note the Film Musicians Secondary
\nMarket Fund is linked to the RMALA on their web site, with no
\nmention of Local 47. Shouldn’t every web site that is affiliated
\nwith the AF of M and Local 47 have the AF of M logo prominently
\ndisplayed as well as a logo for Professional Musicians Local 47?
\n As far as the union erection is concerned, I hope all will vote
\non the basis of what unions were founded upon…. socialistic
\nideas. Share the wealth and success with your fellow musicians.
\n(Referring to the RS Website page) Oh, by the way, this is what the
\nRMALA aka PMG logo looks like on the Musicians Referral Service
\nwebsite. With the click of a mouse, it’s like hitting the side of a
\nbarn. Note there are three ways to link up to the RMALA web site.
\nCan you find them? <\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
It is common knowledge that Gary Lasley is a company man and
\na “go along” personality. He is fine to work for us (on our payroll)
\nas someone who has already demonstrated that he is willing to
\n“carry the water” without questions. Every organization needs a
\ngood soldier. However, I don’t see him as any kind of independent,
\nfree-thinking, considered opinion kind of person we need to
\nMAKE and SHAPE policy.<\/p>\n
————————<\/p>\n
Committee<\/p>\n
the referral website is a joke – it is the most inept attempt by an
\norganization to pass off a job that needs to be done by a human
\nto a website…..a bad website at that.<\/p>\n
You put in you want to look for a jazz band and it pulls up every
\nperson who plays jazz in local 47 that is listed on there. The job
\nneeds and demands a person. I’m pretty sure it worked real well
\nwith Schubach and then Erroll Henry. I haven’t received one job
\nsince both have not been at 47. And i used to get a great deal of
\nreferrals upon which I booked gigs and filed contracts which local
\n47 received work dues on.<\/p>\n
I cannot even log on to my own profile…….<\/p>\n
——————–<\/p>\n
heres an idea…instead of combative – committee against all RMA bad
\npeople – and Gary Lasley being shoved in by RMALA in next meting and how
\nRMALA is monopolizing local 47 –
\n– make the slant – the committee stands for any and all things like
\nmonopolization without mentioning names – and organization names <\/p>\n
I guess what I’m saying is to take an approach that doesn’t pit groups
\nagainst each other – it doesn’t help the over all cause <\/p>\n
we know the are trying and are successful at their way of the highway –
\nlets try to beat them at their own game – <\/p>\n
keep your enemies friends close and your enemies closer <\/p>\n
===================<\/p>\n
Colleagues,<\/p>\n
Once again, Please don\u2019t forget the Monday, January 28th Membership
\nmeeting at Local 47, 7PM. If there\u2019s anything you want changed you
\nhave to participate.
\n… And when you consider what changes you want, consider whether they
\nare changes that will benefit everyone, or just a small minority. Motives
\nmatter, and tell you a great deal about those who forward them.<\/p>\n
Until Next Time,<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I. MEMBERSHIP MEETING JANUARY 28th! II. MORE ON THE NEW RS WEBSITE III. YET ANOTHER LOCAL 47 OFFICER ATTACK ON THE COMMITTEE IV. EVENTS, CONCERTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS V. MEMBER COMMENTS =================== I. MEMBERSHIP MEETING, JANUARY 28th Don\u2019t forget the Membership meeting this coming January 28th, 7pm at the Union. As long as quorum is achieved, […]<\/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-16","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\/16","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=16"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}