MEETING\/HEALTH INSURANCE \/LAWSUIT\/ COMMENTS<\/p>\n
I. PLEASE BE AT MONDAY NIGHT\u2019S MEETING! 7PM at Local 47.
\nII. SUPPORT FMA PRESIDENT LISA HALEY FOR TRUSTEE THIS MONDAY!
\nIII. HEALTH INSURANCE FROM 47 WITHOUT HAVING TO QUALIFY?
\nIV. DUES RETURN LAWSUIT GOES TO FEDERAL COURT
\nV. WHERE DID THIS LAWSUIT REALLY COME FROM
\nVI. WRITE COUNCILMAN ERIC GARCETTI ABOUT CAPITOL STUDIOS
\nVII. EVENTS
\nVIII. COMMENTS\t<\/p>\n
I. PLEASE BE AT MONDAY NIGHT\u2019S MEETING! 7PM at Local 47.<\/p>\n
Colleagues,
\nWe just got this interesting comment from a member:<\/p>\n
Why is there NO mention of an election (for trustee) on the Local
\n47 website? Not even in a “members” section or anything.
\nhttp:\/\/www.promusic47.org\/<\/p>\n
There is a link to a “meeting” on April 28, but that link doesn’t work.<\/p>\n
Here is the Agenda for Monday Night. <\/p>\n
Nowhere else does it mention an election\u2026 Odd.<\/p>\n
FYI, you need to sign in now to see the Overture online. You
\ndidn’t previously to have to do that. Maybe the committee can
\nhave .pdf versions available to email upon request, for those
\nthat no longer have access.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
————<\/p>\n
We checked the site today and found only the most cursory mention
\nof the meeting Monday, with no details of the agenda. But as of this
\nevening, if you look at the actual headlines, there is a link to the
\nagenda. As the member said, the link on Blue section does not work.<\/p>\n
On Friday, an EMAIL from the Local mentioned the meeting,
\nin connection with an email on an unrelated topic. No mention
\nof the trustee or election board elections, only \u201cimportant
\nissues to vote on.\u201d<\/p>\n
There has been a campaign email from Paul Castillo, and several
\nfrom the RMA with specifics and urging their members to attend,
\nbut a lukewarm attempt at best by our own Local.<\/p>\n
The Agenda is as follows:
\n-Presentation of 50-Year Pins
\n-Special Election for Trustee
\n-Election for Election Board
\n-Officer Reports
\n-Referral Service Discussion<\/p>\n
Be there early to get a parking spot in the Local\u2019s parking lot! Come
\nearly and eat dinner at any one of the many places close by.
\nIt any case don\u2019t be late!<\/p>\n
Why they\u2019ve made viewing the Overture as \u2018members only\u2019 is yet
\nanother pointless mystery. It seems to us that letting the public
\nsee and read our paper might gain us a few more members.<\/p>\n
===============<\/p>\n
II. SUPPORT FMA PRESIDENT LISA HALEY FOR TRUSTEE THIS MONDAY!<\/p>\n
We cannot afford a trustee position, one more sensitive than a
\nregular director\u2019s seat, to go to a yes man or political operative
\nfor President Espinosa or the current power structure. The Trustees\u2019
\nintegrity must be unquestionable.<\/p>\n
The COMMITTEE is putting our support behind Freelance Musicians
\nAssociation PRESIDENT and Grammy Nominee Lisa Haley! She has
\nshown time and time again to hold the members, ALL the members
\ninterests paramount. She\u2019s also shown that she will not be cowed or
\nsilenced, and it is her independence we need in a trustee\u2026 or an officer.
\nShe\u2019s also proven herself a successful business woman, running her own
\nbusiness for 25 years. She is eminently qualified to look out for the best
\nfinancial interests of our investments.<\/p>\n
YOUR CHOICE IS SIMPLE<\/p>\n
You can either vote to continue the same political machine, one
\nthat has failed the rank and file again and again; or you can vote
\nto move forward.<\/p>\n
We choose to move forward, but that cannot happen if you don\u2019t
\nshow up! Please be there Monday night, April 28, 2008 at the
\nLocal, 7PM.<\/p>\n
ELECTION BOARD CHOICES <\/p>\n
The longest serving members of the Election Board have proven
\ntheir integrity and honesty and should be retained. They\u2019re long
\nserving members, people who have done a good job at being fair
\nand equal AND NON-PARTISAN.<\/p>\n
We also hear that members Marcy Vaj and Ron Hess will be running
\nand couldn\u2019t be more thrilled. These are people who we know will
\nnot be influenced by or beholden to ANY special interest group.
\nThese are the kind of people our Local needs.<\/p>\n
=================<\/p>\n
III. HEALTH INSURANCE FROM 47 WITHOUT HAVING TO QUALIFY?<\/p>\n
At a presentation made in February at the California Conference
\nmeeting in Honolulu a reputable health insurance broker announced
\nthe availability of three different health insurance plans (HealthNet
\nHMO & PPO, and Kaiser HMO) to ALL CALIFORNIA AFM LOCALS
\nwithout having to qualify through the member\u2019s amount of work!<\/p>\n
The meeting was attended by representatives from most California
\nLocals, including President Espinosa, VP Trombetta and John Acosta.<\/p>\n
In order for a Local to qualify to participate, each must have a
\nminimum of 6 members subscribe. While the rates of these plans don’t
\nsubstantially differ from those available to members publicly from
\nthose companies, some of the co-pays and coverages are significantly
\nbetter. <\/p>\n
YOU CANNOT BE TURNED DOWN FOR A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION<\/p>\n
The biggest advantage is the fact that pre-existing conditions are covered
\nwithout question (though there is a 6 month waiting period for pre-existing
\ncondition coverage for those opting for the PPO plan, unless they have been
\ncovered by a similar plan for 6 months prior to the date of enrollment).<\/p>\n
Several California Locals are already holding informational meetings for
\ntheir members, and many of those Locals report a very stronger interest. <\/p>\n
Local 47 has said nothing to members about this option as far as we can tell.
\nWith over 8,500 members, and health insurance in the forefront of most peoples\u2019
\nconcerns, why haven\u2019t the officers jumped at the chance to inform us of plans that
\ncan help those who do not earn sufficient hours to cover their families with a plan
\nthat cannot turn you down for pre-existing conditions and has better co-pays
\nand coverages than they can get in the public marketplace?<\/p>\n
THEIR ARGUMENT AGAINST IT?<\/p>\n
Most likely, their argument will be that if members can simply buy the
\ninsurance, they will buy it and not file SELAs, or do only NON-UNION
\nwork. We don\u2019t buy that argument. Members don\u2019t do union work solely
\nfor the health care, they use it to build their pensions. Further, if members
\ndon\u2019t generally qualify now, they won\u2018t after this coverage is available either,
\nso those taking advantage of the H and W contributions of members who
\ndon\u2019t qualify will still be able to take advantage of the majority of members
\nunused H and W contributions.<\/p>\n
The other program is still there if you get the hours, but this enables others
\nto sign up as well. Having this coverage available could also INCREASE MEMBERSHIP.<\/p>\n
DON\u2019T BLAME THE BOARD<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t waste your energy getting angry at the board for this one.
\nThe board members we talked to said it has never been brought up
\nin the boardroom, and Mr. Acosta is certainly not authorized to
\ntalk about any such possible benefit without permission from the
\nPresident or Vice-President. <\/p>\n
That leaves President Espinosa and VP Trombetta.<\/p>\n
If the President and Vice-President have a good reason for not telling
\nthe members about these new health care plans, let\u2019s hear it. If not,
\nthe membership should demand to be fully informed of the new
\noptions and have the administration we elect put it into action..<\/p>\n
=================<\/p>\n
IV. DUES RETURN LAWSUIT GOES TO FEDERAL COURT<\/p>\n
It seems that the (or one of the) OUTSTANDING LAWSUITS the Local
\nis dealing with is this Lawsuit for work dues filed by three RMA members
\nagainst the AFM and LOCAL 47! That\u2019s right, they\u2019re suing US as well.<\/p>\n
The information below comes from the court documents:
\nYOU CAN DOWNLOAD SOME OF THEM YOURSELF AT
\nhttp:\/\/www.afm143.org\/,…
\nTo download the rest takes a bit more homework.<\/p>\n
All documents involving this case are available to the public.<\/p>\n
1) WHO IS SUING THE LOCAL AND THE AFM? (THE PLAINTIFFS)<\/p>\n
RMA Members
\nDAVID PARMETER,
\nANATOLY ROSINSKY, and
\nANDREW SHULMAN,
\nCASE NO. CV07-07225 MMM (SSx) <\/p>\n
2) WHO IS BEING SUED? (DEFENDANTS)<\/p>\n
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS
\nOF THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA
\nand
\nPROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS LOCAL
\n47, AMERICAN MUSICIANS<\/p>\n
———–<\/p>\n
3) LOCAL 47 TRIES TO BECOME NEUTRAL BY INTERPLEADING<\/p>\n
The Local had a few options. One was to fight the charges full bore on behalf
\nof the AFM, their parent organization. The Local chose to do what is called
\n\u201cinterpleading\u201d, which is where one part of a lawsuit tries to put itself in the
\nmiddle, and not on the side of either of the other 2 parties. This is exactly
\nwhat Local 47 did.<\/p>\n
Part of the Interpleader statement reads:<\/p>\n
\u2026 insofar as Counter-Claimant alleges that Defendant\/Counter Claimant
\nLocal 47 (a) is in possession of certain monies, which are claimed herein
\nby Plaintiffs as well as Defendant AFM; (b) Defendant\/Counter-Claimant
\nLocal 47 is disinterested with regard to whether said monies should be
\ndistributed or awarded to either Plaintiffs or Defendant AFM; (c) Defendant\/
\nCounter-Claimant Local 47 claims no interest in the funds at issue herein,
\nand: (d) this matter involves claims for (i) a breach of fair representation
\nand (ii) breach of Defendant AFM\u2019s Bylaws, jurisdiction for which is invoked,
\npursuant to Section 301(a) of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947\u2026<\/p>\n
———<\/p>\n
In other words, in our opinion, the Local is trying to reduce its role as much
\nas possible to become not much more than an observer. <\/p>\n
Note that the above states the Local is holding MONIES and is disinterested
\nin who it goes to. The Espinosa Administration\u2019s first duty is to the AFM,
\nnot the RMA, yet they are holding monies and is not interested in who gets it?<\/p>\n
———–<\/p>\n
4) WHO IS LISTED AS THE REPRESENTATION FOR LOCAL 47 IN
\nTHIS MATTER?
\nLEWIS LEVY<\/p>\n
5) WHO is also listed on the advisory board of the RMALA, members of
\nwhom are suing us?
\nLEWIS LEVY. (It\u2019s in the RMA membership book.)<\/p>\n
6) IF it was Mr. Levy who counseled our board to \u201cinterplead\u201d in this case,
\nthus making them far less adversarial to the RMA, how can this be proper?
\nCould this be considered a conflict of interest? If so, it should be fully
\ninvestigated, but who will do it?<\/p>\n
IF YOU DO THE WORK YOU PAY THE DUES<\/p>\n
Ironically, it was only a few Local 47 membership meetings ago that, while
\nRMA members were complaining about how the AFM doesn\u2019t deserve those
\n dues, it was Dennis Dreith, administrator for the Film Musicians Secondary
\nMarket Fund himself who said, according to those present: (Paraphrasing)
\n\u201cIf you do the work you pay the dues.\u201d<\/p>\n
Would this lawsuit be happening if the Espinosa\/RMA cabal had taken
\nover the AFM at the last convention? <\/p>\n
Again, you\u2019ll find the story at: http:\/\/www.afm143.org\/<\/p>\n
Please read it for yourself.<\/p>\n
============<\/p>\n
V. WHERE DID THIS LAWSUIT REALLY COME FROM?<\/p>\n
In January 07, a letter written by Jeffrey Freund, Attorney for the AFM,
\nwas sent to Michael Posner, the current lawyer for DAVID
\nPARMETER, ANATOLY ROSINSKY, and ANDREW SHULMAN.
\nThis letter is being described as a smoking gun and a main basis
\nfor their case against the AFM and Local 47 to get over 1 million
\nin dues back.<\/p>\n
However, this was last January, 2007, and Mr. Posner wasn\u2019t the
\nlawyer for the three current litigants at that time. Who was Mr.
\nPosner representing then? RMA International President Phil
\nAyling.<\/p>\n
Here is the closing paragraph from Mr. Freund\u2019s letter (While Mr.
\nPosner was representing Phil Ayling and not the three current
\nlitigants):<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make two further points in closing. First, as your letter
\nappears to be a ” lawyers’ letter” contemplating litigation, it seems
\nappropriate for me to remind you of the provisions of Rule 11 of
\nthe Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. I have successfully recovered
\nsanctions against lawyers whose submissions have violated that Rule
\nand I can assure you that I would advise the AFM to request Rule 11
\nsanctions in the event you choose to tile what, in my view, would
\nbe an entirely baseless lawsuit. Second, I would like your guidance
\non the scope of my ability to communicate directly with Phil Ayling
\nregarding electronic media issues generally during whatever period
\nof time that you represent him in connection with both this matter
\nand his information request ( a subject I am still reviewing). In the
\nnormal course of my representation of the AFM, I regularly consult
\nwith Phil and find his input on electronic media issues to be quite
\nhelpful. However, I am reluctant to discuss any electronic media
\nissues with him while he is represented by counsel unless I can have
\nsome precise assurance that you authorize those discussions. I regret
\nthis, but I am afraid that the Rules of Professional Conduct leave us
\nwith no other choice given the fact that both of your letters written
\non his behalf touch on issues central to the AFM’ s electronic media
\njurisdiction.\u201d<\/p>\n
So there it is colleagues, the link is clear and incontrovertible, Mr.
\nAyling is thus far not one of the litigants, but may be soon (Read
\nbelow about class action). Further, it seems Mr. Ayling also made
\na visit on his recent jaunt to the east coast to Boston, where he reportedly
\nvisited the person who runs the blog that posted the Lawsuit info.
\nIt certainly is not improper in any way, shape or form, but it does
\nfurther confirm Mr. Ayling\u2019s connection to the lawsuit.<\/p>\n
————-<\/p>\n
This poses a few questions:
\nWho has been paying for Mr. Ayling\u2019s trips?
\nWho is paying for the current dues lawsuit for the three litigants?<\/p>\n
Hopefully this will all be revealed in the trial, and then we\u2019ll let you know.<\/p>\n
How long before the RMA rank and file wake up and demand that Mr.
\nAnthony rein in Mr. Ayling? <\/p>\n
—————<\/p>\n
CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT<\/p>\n
According to the RMA member\u2019s Lawyer, they are considering filing
\nthe papers to make their case a class action lawsuit on behalf of all
\nrecording musicians who\u2019ve recorded under particular recording
\nagreements.<\/p>\n
In the original papers, the three litigants make clear that they are
\nthe only ones who are part of the lawsuit. If that is the case, then
\nthis action goes directly against their stated intent.<\/p>\n
A class action lawsuit will cost FAR MORE! Who is going to
\npay for it?. It would seem the radical arm of the RMA is simply
\nnot going to stop until the AFM is destroyed for its tens of
\nthousands of members, and perhaps themselves as well.<\/p>\n
You can read more about this at:
\nhttp:\/\/www.filmmusicmag.com\/?p=997<\/p>\n
You can read the Jeffrey Freund letter here:
\nhttp:\/\/www.filmmusicmag.com\/nref\/AFM042208-1.pdf <\/p>\n
=================<\/p>\n
VI. WRITE COUNCILMAN ERIC GARCETTI ABOUT CAPITOL STUDIOS<\/p>\n
In case you didn\u2019t read the latest from Local 47 you should.
\nCapitol Studios could be in danger. This is from John Acosta:<\/p>\n
Our Capitol Studios at Risk
\nJohn Acosta, Local 47 EMD Administrator<\/p>\n
This past Tuesday afternoon found me in unfamiliar territory;
\nLos Angeles City Council chambers. My job was to represent
\nLocal 47 members in a hearing that could impact our community
\nof musicians deeply \u2013 the preservation of Capitol Studios
\nrecording facilities.<\/p>\n
We have recently learned that our beloved Capitol Studios is at
\nrisk of being severely impacted by a developer\u2019s plan for new
\nconstruction. Apparently, developer David Jordan has plans
\nunderway to develop underground parking very close to Capitol\u2019s
\nunderground echo chambers, designed by Legendary Guitarist
\nand AFM member Les Paul. The echo chambers would be severely
\nimpacted by noise during construction, with increased potential
\nfor permanent damage. The risk of allowing this construction to
\nproceed may lead to a SHUT DOWN OF CAPITOL STUDIOS for
\nmonths, if not years. The closure of Capitol would have a
\nsignificantly negative impact on hundreds if not thousands of
\nAFM members.<\/p>\n
Tuesday I attended the hearing by a subcommittee of the Los
\nAngeles City Council on the permit required for the construction.
\nThe subcommittee decided to temporarily table the issue, and
\nreschedule it. This gives us time to give the Council your input.<\/p>\n
Your union, with the support of the rank and file members, is
\ntrying to stop the multimillion-dollar project from advancing
\nwithout a plan that incorporates intensive mitigation of the
\nnegative impact to Capitol Studios and the famed echo chambers.
\nCapitol Studios is vital to our community and we have a vested
\ninterest in keeping Capitol open without interruption. From
\nhistoric sessions with Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, Stevie
\nWonder, Ray Charles, Bette Midler, and Barbara Streisand
\n(among a few) to present work being done by Prince, John
\nWilliams, Michael Buble, The Academy Awards, The Grammy\u2019s,
\nand hundreds of others, world-renowned and historic projects
\nhave taken place at the hollowed grounds of Capitol. If we lose
\nCapitol, we lose a legacy, unequalled in the history of music. <\/p>\n
I urge you all to write your City Council Representatives,
\ndemanding that our legacy will not be destroyed. Urge them to
\nSAVE CAPITOL STUDIOS. City Council member addresses and
\ne-mails can be found at: http:\/\/www.lacity.org\/council.htm<\/p>\n
Capitol Studios is located in Eric Garcetti\u2019s District. He is also
\n President of the LA City Council. He can be reached here: <\/p>\n
City Hall Office (213)-473-7013
\n200 N. Spring Street, Rm 470
\nLos Angeles, CA 90012<\/p>\n
councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org<\/p>\n
=====================<\/p>\n
VII. EVENTS, PROGRAMS<\/p>\n
New Music @ DMOA proudly presents<\/p>\n
TODD MILLSTEIN’S CHAMBER JAZZ TRIO<\/p>\n
Thursday, May 1st, at 7:30 p.m.
\nAt the Downey Museum of Art
\n(http:\/\/artscenecal.com\/DowneyMsm.html)<\/p>\n
10419 South Rives Ave., Downey, CA. 90241
\nPhone: (562) 861-0419
\nAdmission: $10, Students\/Seniors $5<\/p>\n
Todd Millstein’s Chamber Jazz Trio features John Daversa on trumpet and
\nflugelhorn, Damon Zick on tenor saxophone and clarinets, and Todd
\nMillstein on guitar. The band’s instrumentation lends a chamber music
\nquality: subtle, light, and spacious. Todd, John, and Damon arrange
\ntheir original jazz, folk, pop, and classical compositions, as well as
\nsome off-the-beaten-path covers, for this unique setting. The group takes
\ninspiration from Jimmy Giuffre’s bassless and drummerless trio from the
\n1950s.<\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
Vocalist Tony Jones and his quartet
\nSunday, May 4, 2008 (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
\n$10 cover <\/p>\n
Tony Jones – vocals & percussion, Andy Langham – piano,
\nChuck Manning – saxes,
\nAdam Cohen – acoustic bass
\nDave Derge – drums <\/p>\n
Vocalist Tony Jones brings his quartet to Rosalie & Alva Performance
\nGallery. Tony Jones brings his experience performing in various styles
\nto create his own voice. His eclectic mix of original jazz and covers of
\nsongs from the 1960’s in a jazz framework is very appealing. <\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.cdbaby.com\/cd\/tonyj
\nhttp:\/\/www.myspace.com\/tonyjonesvocalproject <\/p>\n
Venue Details:
\nRosalie & Alva Performance Gallery
\n1417 W. 8th St
\nSan Pedro, California 90732<\/p>\n
=================<\/p>\n
VIII. COMMENTS<\/p>\n
The comments below in our offerings represent
\nthe uncensored views of the readers and not necessarily those
\nof the COMMITTEE. In the faith that freedom of expression
\nallows for the birth and ascendancy of the most beneficial ideas,
\nall sentiments expressed are welcome, subject to the bounds of
\ngood taste and decorum. If you disagree with an opinion expressed
\n by any contributor, we encourage you to rebut it here.<\/p>\n
—————<\/p>\n
Thank you for continuing to fight the good fight.<\/p>\n
—————<\/p>\n
Paul Castillo WAS a member of the Freelance Musicians Assn for
\nover a year\u2026 Until he revealed that he was two-faced all along,
\ntotally in lock-step with those trying to destroy Freelance work,
\nreporting to the anti-FMA members of the Executive Board on
\ntheir every move. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have seen too much effort toward dividing our membership.\u201d
\n\u2013 What a joke! Paul Castillo divided us even more! Instead of trying
\nto help find the solutions we need, he sat there and pretended to
\nagree with Freelance concerns. <\/p>\n
He bailed on being on David Schubach\u2019s slate (as Vice Presidential
\ncandidate) days before the filing deadline for the General Election \u2013
\nafter brochures with Paul\u2019s name on them were printed and mailed! <\/p>\n
Then suddenly he\u2019s on the Local 47 payroll as \u201cParliamentarian\u201d for
\nHal, but (surprise!) he only points out those Parliamentary errors
\nthat would help the Executive Board\u2019s position, not those that would
\nhelp the rank and file.<\/p>\n
This guy\u2019s out to please whoever he thinks has the power.
\nThis is an attempt to move him up the gravy train.
\nWe don\u2019t need another manipulator!
\nPLEASE just say no!!<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Ok – the Committee blog is great and folks get to vent their opinions
\nanonymously or put their name on it – all good. We have many
\nproblems at hand within the local and the AFM – regarding the
\nloss of work problem – it is all talk at this point and there is no
\nmovement going forward towards any kind of change or implementation
\nof ideas. New Era scoring has made a move and I don’t know if
\nthey are getting any market share. They’ve gone underground. The
\nAFM itself has started some EXPERIMENTAL ideas with employers \u2013
\n with some success.
\nCan we all – (woops – did I say that? -never going to be all) can the
\nconcerned people ready to make a positive change in their careers
\nwith ideas to bring back work start meeting?? SERIOUSLY
\n – obviously under secrecy – the RMALA are meeting to discuss
\ntheir strategy – if you’re not in the RMALA or you could be in the
\nRMALA) and you want to start making changes – meetings need
\nto start happening with local 47 officers and AFM officers – <\/p>\n
at this point venting on a computer brings attention to everything
\nbut we still aren’t changing a damn thing – the work is flooding
\nout of town recording wise and we sit and watch it daily leave.
\nAs a young contractor, all I see is decreasing budgets for composers
\nfor projects with the production co. insisting on NO AFM. Sure
\nbig budgets projects still happen….just not as much. The scales
\nare tipping, have tipped to the other side I think. BUT WE
\nNEED POSITIVE IDEAS TO START AFFECTING CHANGE….
\nand we need a movement – not more blogging. Actual idea
\nmeetings with ideas to present to the AFM, not the local and
\nnot the people that are strangling the last bit of real big recording work.<\/p>\n
—————<\/p>\n
My comment, ditto Rick Blanc. There is no such thing as “runaway
\nscoring”. That would insinuate that these recording sessions were
\nours to begin with. Producers have a right to work with anyone they
\nwish, if this isn’t true, take them to court!
\nTo say that the Seattle Symphony just isn’t as good as we are is
\nsimply irrelevant. They are getting all the work they can handle,
\nthey’re doing something right. <\/p>\n
If the union can’t or is unwilling to offer employers a competitive
\npackage, what good is it? I feel as though the union is actually driving
\nwork away for the benefit of a few. Maybe the majority of us would be
\nbetter off if the union just went away. Believe me no one is going to
\nwork
\nfor less than they really think they are worth. No one here is going
\nto, or be expected to
\nwork for $15 an hour and a bottle of vodka! <\/p>\n
We all need to re-assess what music for film is worth to the employer
\nand the public.
\nI miss the good old days too, but they are gone forever. We are just
\nclinging on the
\nthe last remnants of days gone by.<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Committee, Again.. I was on the Board when I wrote the article
\ne-mail that circulated. “why our union doesn’t work?” Those of you
\nthat remember. I suggested the Freelance Musicians association.
\nWell now that I have been out of it for some time. It’s interesting
\nto see that everything I said has come to fruition and become
\ndamaging. Yes I tried. No one listened. I suggest again!! Term
\nLimits. Draw up the legislation for it and let’s do it. It’s the only
\nway to make things right. Believe me. Trust me.
\nAnybody game? <\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
UPI recently reported that 50 percent of the LA workforce are
\nimmigrants. “Right now we’re headed toward becoming a Third
\nWorld City,” said Ernesto Cortes Jr., Southwest regional director
\nof the Industrial Areas Foundation. He described a Third World
\nCity as one with an elite group on top and the majority at poverty
\nor near poverty wages. (What does that remind you of?)
\nI mention this not because of any antipathy toward immigrants
\nbut rather to emphasize the magnitude of change that is upon us.
\nMusician union members (which I no longer am, having resigned
\nin protest) may want to ponder the implications of a changing city
\nand a changing music industry. Most Local 47 funding today comes
\nfrom 1) baby boomers and older, the majority of whom do very little,
\n if any, union work, and 2) what can be siphoned off of what recording
\nis left.
\nPrognosis: As the boomers retire and leave this earthly paradise Local
\n47 will likely collapse. This will happen in part through attrition and
\nin part through its inability to reform.
\nIf there is any recording left the recording musicians could quite
\npossibly welcome the demise of the union; it would save them money.
\nIf the potential for reform exists at all it should happen sooner rather
\nthan later. Read: NOW. Humpty Dumpty, once fallen, may not be
\nable to be put back together again.
\nRick Blanc (please attach name)<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
Please wake up RMALA and listen to this proposition. <\/p>\n
Some (some) recording projects are never going to generate
\na back end or new uses for alot of different reasons – for
\nexample – too small of a production budget to hire “big”
\nactors so therefore the product got direct to DVD…..boom. <\/p>\n
Examination on a case by case basis by the AFM is a pain in
\nthe ass but at least is a step for some FRONT END work.
\nToo bad SAN FRAN is enjoying some of it now. <\/p>\n
BOTTOM LINE –
\nFront end work translates into to wages who are desperate
\nfor them now, benefits, work dues for the local and the
\nFederation and the BIG ONE….money in your PENSION.
\nSINCE WHEN is that NOT a form of back end – and
\nguess what? <\/p>\n
– it\u2019s better than nothing at this point. Sure the Secondary
\nmarket funds are great….BUT…….if you work more front
\nend with benefits your pension fund will go up and up
\n(DAH)……..sure if you start working less with no secondary
\nmarkets those current checks will go down….BUT YOUR
\nPENSION IS GOING UP – and when you retire your pension
\nwill be there SOLID with cost of living increases……another
\nthing – your secondary market funds checks WILL GO DOWN
\nwhen you actually retire and have no front end work, whereas
\nyour pension will remain the same and go up with cost of living
\nincreases. Feed your pension LARGELY NOW FELLAS.
\nAt this point the producers of smaller budgeted projects (or
\nproducers that DO NOT buy into the “union philosophy) do
\nnot care about this little 1% tax that comes with union
\ncontracts……they have all found the options. If the RMALA
\ndoesn’t grab onto this……..look out – the ready to work people are. <\/p>\n
==============<\/p>\n
Colleagues,<\/p>\n
We look forward to seeing you this Monday, April 28th, at the General
\nMembership meeting. Come out and Vote for Lisa Haley for Trustee
\n AND an independent election board!<\/p>\n
UNTIL NEXT TIME,<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEETING\/HEALTH INSURANCE \/LAWSUIT\/ COMMENTS I. PLEASE BE AT MONDAY NIGHT\u2019S MEETING! 7PM at Local 47. II. SUPPORT FMA PRESIDENT LISA HALEY FOR TRUSTEE THIS MONDAY! III. HEALTH INSURANCE FROM 47 WITHOUT HAVING TO QUALIFY? IV. DUES RETURN LAWSUIT GOES TO FEDERAL COURT V. WHERE DID THIS LAWSUIT REALLY COME FROM VI. WRITE COUNCILMAN ERIC GARCETTI […]<\/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-32","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\/32","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=32"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}