I.\tJuly 23rd\u2019 MEMBERSHIP MEETING
\nII.\tFMA REPORT
\nIII.\tUPDATE ON PASADENA POPS SITUATION
\nIV.\tUPCOMING MEMBER CONCERTS AND NEWS
\nV.\t MEMBER COMMENTS<\/p>\n
Greetings Local 47 Colleagues!,<\/p>\n
July 23rd\u2019s Local 47 meeting turned out to be somewhat
\nhelpful for the rank and file of our Local though the main
\nthrust of the night was a venting session for the RMALA
\nleadership and their supporters, having been dealt another
\nblow at the last AFM Convention.<\/p>\n
CHANGES FOR THE BETTER<\/p>\n
The COMMITTEE\u2019S activism here at home, along with the
\nactions of the FMA and a more involved rank and file, are
\nstarting to affect some changes, <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On several fronts, our Local is showing the beginnings of being
\nmore useful to the rank and file. <\/p>\n
We must continue to be vigilant however, since we get reports
\nfrom our sources of continued attempts by some board members
\nto keep the status quo. We\u2019re even hearing about further attempts
\nto yet again move our referral service office and board
\nmembers resisting attempts to get more rock and pop
\nmusicians to join.<\/p>\n
PLAN NOW FOR THE OCTOBER MEETING!<\/p>\n
With voting planned for former Secretary-Treasurer Serena
\nWilliams\u2019 replacement at the next meeting, this will be a
\nGOLDEN MOMENT to obtain more balance on our board!
\nThere will be excellent independent candidates for this slot
\nand we will need you there to help the transformation of our
\nLocal continue! <\/p>\n
Keep in mind this is not just a board slot, but one of the
\ntitled officer positions in our Local, Secretary-Treasurer,
\nwith a hefty full time salary and influence to boot.<\/p>\n
———————<\/p>\n
Here is the report on the meeting that the FMA sent out, this
\nwill help give you a picture of some of the positive developments
\nat the meeting.<\/p>\n
Thank you to the brothers and sisters, regardless of affiliation,
\nwho stayed to help us maintain the quorum and effect these
\nchanges! <\/p>\n
BRAVO! Together, we\u2019re moving in the right direction.<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
==============<\/p>\n
II. FMA REPORT ON THE JULY 23rd GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING<\/p>\n
Freelance Musicians Assn-L.A.
\nReport <\/p>\n
Our General Meeting Monday night had a most conciliatory
\ntone.
\nAlthough many members were on tour or vacation, we were
\nable to keep Quorum until past 10pm, to address issues
\naffecting the livelihood of Members. A heartfelt thanks to
\neveryone who gave their time to allow Union business to be
\nresolved.
\n————————————— <\/p>\n
– AGREED TO BY OFFICERS:
\nLocal #47 Bylaws Article V, Section 1 states that Local #47
\nMUST have a budget presented to the Executive Board by
\nMay 1 of each year. No budget is currently in place.
\nPresident Hal Espinosa agreed to have a 2007 budget
\npresented by next Tuesday, July 31, and available to all
\nMembers on request. <\/p>\n
————————————— <\/p>\n
– PASSED:
\n– To regain and then surpass the previous highest activity
\nlevels of the Referral Service and CD Sales\/Radio Airplay
\nDepartments.
\n– Staff and executive board to prepare a report by August
\n14 on the levels of activity for these services since January
\n1, 2005, by six-month totals.
\n– Create a 3-person committee of rank-and-file members who
\nare very familiar with one or both of these services to review
\nthe report and make
\nrecommendations to the October general membership meeting.
\n– Elect the committee. <\/p>\n
This committee must be members who use the referral
\nservice\/CD Sales service, optimum would be someone who
\nremembers the quality level of service provided when Errol,
\nAmie and Barbara Markay ran them. Committee members
\nTBA.
\n————————————— <\/p>\n
– INVESTIGATION: Social Security numbers to be removed
\nfrom Union computers as account numbers. It was revealed
\nthat, contrary to David Schubach’s program of assigning
\nAccount numbers to all members, Social Security numbers
\nwere still highly visible on employees computers, even at
\nthe reception desk.
\n————————————— <\/p>\n
– INVESTIGATION: Employee Summer schedules to be clarified
\nand overseen by Rep John Acosta. <\/p>\n
–\tFAILED: Motion to use AFM’s Member website, “GoPro,” as
\nLocal #47’s official work engagement website. Another $30,000
\nhas been contracted for the new Local #47 website. It was argued
\nthat “GoPro (the AFM referral website) isn’t updated often enough”
\nand “Local #47 wants control of its own website.” These expenses
\nwere decided by the Exec
\nBoard.
\n————————————— <\/p>\n
–\tPASSED: Motion for Executive Board meeting minutes to be
\nposted in the Members Only section of the #47 website three
\ndays after minutes are approved\/adopted by the EB.
\n————————————— <\/p>\n
–\tMember Val Ewell called on Members to have compassion
\non those who are struggling to make ends meet, and reminded
\nus that we are a Union. <\/p>\n
FMA agrees with this viewpoint – FMA was organized, and exist
\ntoday, solely in the interest of restoring our Union to what is fair
\nand helpful to all members. We will work together to this end.
\nWe hope that more members will join us. <\/p>\n
————————————— <\/p>\n
Independent Music Conference is coming to Local #47!
\nBe there – improve your career!
\nFor more info, please visit www.imc07.com\/LA <\/p>\n
Fraternally,
\nLisa Haley<\/p>\n
==============<\/p>\n
III. UPDATE ON PASADENA POPS SITUATION<\/p>\n
We recently received a newspaper article concerning the Pasadena
\nPops and a follow-up letter to the editor. If this situation concerns
\nyou as much as us, please write to the paper and the management
\nof the symphony expressing your concern and support for the
\nPops musicians (Some since the inception of the orchestra almost
\ntwo decades ago.) about to be summarily dumped for the benefit
\nof the Pasadena Symphony musicians.<\/p>\n
————-<\/p>\n
Article about the Pasadena Pops… <\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.lacanadaonline.com\/articles\/2007\/07\/19\/news\/lnws-pops719.txt <\/p>\n
Modified Jul 19, 2007 – 10:38:18 PDT <\/p>\n
Pops Musicians Seek Public Support
\nBy Jane Napier Neely <\/p>\n
Officials involved with the recently-announced merger of the
\nPasadena Pops Orchestra with The Pasadena Symphony
\nremained mute this week over claims by outraged musicians
\nthat nothing less than a mass firing is taking place. <\/p>\n
And, results of two preliminary meetings held this week with the
\nProfessional Musicians Local 47 regarding charges of unfair labor
\npractices and grievances against The Pasadena Symphony and
\nthe Pasadena Pops management were not released as of press time. <\/p>\n
In the meantime, the soon-to-be fired musicians have launched
\ntheir own website, www.pasadenapopsmusicians.org, in hopes
\nof building public support. <\/p>\n
The drama began to unfold late last month when the Pops
\nmusicians were informed just prior to their opening concert for
\nthe season at Descanso Gardens that there would be a merger
\nof the two entities and their services would no longer be needed
\nfor the next season because their chairs would be filled by The
\nPasadena Symphony members who had right of first refusal
\nto perform. <\/p>\n
Under the new structure the Pops will officially dissolve on Oct. 1
\nand the name of the orchestra changed to Pasadena Pops
\nSymphony, it was announced to the media. The Pasadena
\nSymphony would still be conducted by Jorge Mester, who has
\nbeen with the symphony for 25 years, and the Pops would
\nstill be conducted by Rachael Worby, who joined the organization
\nin 1999. There was no mention in the announcement that the
\n 65 Pops musicians, 40 of whom are tenured, would lose their
\njobs. <\/p>\n
Attempts to reach Hal Espinosa, president of the Professional
\nMusicians Local 47 executive board, for comment were
\nunsuccessful. Telephone calls made to Worby seeking comment
\nwere not returned. Tom O’Connor, executive director of The
\nPasadena Symphony, was reached, but said that he could
\nnot comment on the subject. <\/p>\n
According to several musicians affiliated with the Pops
\norchestra, the news of their firing came out of the blue.
\nOrchestra members were in shock and disbelief, followed
\nby anger that their orchestra would be taken over and they
\nwere losing their jobs without any forewarning, they said. <\/p>\n
Letters to musicians <\/p>\n
What made the sting of losing their jobs even more
\nintense for the Pops musicians was that a letter was
\nsent first to The Pasadena Symphony orchestra members
\ntelling them of the disbanding of the Pops orchestra and
\nthat they (The Pasadena Symphony) would be playing the
\nnext summer season. <\/p>\n
According to Michelle Byrne, former chair of the Pops’
\nmusician’s committee, after the Pasadena Symphony
\nmembers received their letters, Henry Reed, acting executive
\ndirector of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra, entered the Pops’
\nrehearsal room saying that he had some letters for the
\nmusicians to read at their break. <\/p>\n
Byrne said that after Reed put the papers on a table and
\nwas about to walk out the door, one of the musicians asked
\nif he could read the letter to them immediately, which he did.
\nThe letter told of the merger and also mentioned that the entire
\norchestra was fired, according to Byrne. Another musician
\nasked if there would be any severance pay for the musicians
\nand Reed answered in the negative. <\/p>\n
“The public needs to know this is not a merger but a takeover \u2014
\na mass firing. I, along with many others, stand to lose our health
\ninsurance if we are fired from the Pops,” Byrne said. “We have
\nplayed our hearts out for this community, we hoped that we
\nnourished [the audience’s] summer souls. Please, don’t let
\nus disappear.” <\/p>\n
Many of the Pops musicians are founding members who
\nhave played with the orchestra for nearly 20 years, according
\nto Byrne. The musicians in the orchestra dedicated most of
\ntheir summers to playing at the Descanso Gardens venue,
\noften turning down higher paying jobs with other orchestras
\nbecause they felt loyalty to the Pops. <\/p>\n
Paul Castillo, chair of the Pops’ musicians’ orchestra
\ncommittee, said this week that he looks at the firing of
\nthe entire orchestra as a social injustice. <\/p>\n
“It is an injustice to the community where we have played
\nfor nearly 20 years and to the subscribers who have been
\nloyal to our orchestra,” Castillo said. “I also feel it is not
\nonly an injustice to the musicians who put their heart and
\nsoul into the music, but to the institution itself. I think the
\nbottom line is that we are trying to keep this orchestra together
\nand we hope the community will support us in this effort.” <\/p>\n
Grievances filed <\/p>\n
Since Worby has been onboard as conductor, problems
\nwithin the Pasadena Pops organization have escalated,
\naccording to numerous musicians who declined to be identified
\nfor fear of retribution. <\/p>\n
They say that in recent years they have filed more than 30
\ngrievances through the union against Pops management for
\ndemoting or dismissing people without cause or not following
\nproper procedures. <\/p>\n
Although the union’s leader, Espinosa, could not be reached
\nfor comment for this article, he did say in a letter to musicians
\nthat the National Labor Relations Act and the master agreement
\nbetween the Pasadena Symphony and the union require the
\norchestra to bargain with the union before implementing any
\nnew terms of employment for its musicians or those of the
\nPops. No bargaining took place, Espinosa wrote. <\/p>\n
According to Espinosa’s statement, Local 47 issued a written
\ndemand after receiving news of the merger through a Pasadena
\nSymphony press release, that the Pops Orchestra immediately
\nbegin bargaining with the union over its decision to dissolve Oct.
\n1, so that the merger could take place. <\/p>\n
The union says that it had no knowledge that the consolidation
\nof the two groups was imminent. <\/p>\n
Espinosa said that he had participated in a meeting with
\nPasadena Symphony representatives on May 21, during
\nwhich time he was advised that the orchestra was only
\nresearching a potential purchase of
\nthe Pops’ assets. <\/p>\n
Espinosa also said that the orchestra would negotiate with
\nthe union over the effect the deal would have on both symphony
\n and Pops musicians. The Pops charges filed with the National
\nLabor Relations Board aimed to ensure that the final resolution
\nregarding the staffing of future Pops concerts is the product
\nof collective bargaining. <\/p>\n
This weekend the Pasadena Pops will hold its second concert
\nseries in Descanso. The Pops musicians say they are committed
\nto playing their best because they are professionals, but the
\nsadness of what has happened to them remains. <\/p>\n
“I believe that our orchestra has a distinctive voice and we
\nrespond to the joy that the audience gives back to us. I feel
\nhurt that all of us have been asked to leave. It makes me even
\nsadder that management doesn’t recognize or acknowledge
\nour commitment over the years and the hurt we are now feeling,”
\nsaid Phoebe Ray, a member of the Pops’ musicians’ committee. <\/p>\n
Barry Socher, concertmaster, is very concerned about the fate
\nof the orchestra. “The news of the orchestra being fired came
\nwithout warning, we are still reeling. Everyone feels so
\nunsettled,” Socher said. <\/p>\n
Steve Kaminsky, a longtime orchestra member, says that he
\nloves this orchestra and it seems to him that the musicians
\nseem to just get better and better. “Right now there are a lot
\nof bad feelings among the orchestra members. I don’t understand
\nwhy Pops management would want to fire this orchestra that
\nhas worked so well together for so many years. I can’t help
\nbut think if it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it,” Kaminsky said. <\/p>\n
“It seems to me that there must be some hidden agenda
\nsomewhere that we (the orchestra) don’t know about. It
\nmakes no economic sense to me to change out the orchestra
\nsince the pay scale for the Pops orchestra players is lower
\nthan that of The Pasadena Symphony. Not only doesn’t it
\nmake any money sense to me but it also doesn’t make any
\nartistic sense either because the Pops players are
\nseasoned professionals,” said Kaminsky. <\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
Letter in opinion section about the Pasadena Pops <\/p>\n
http:\/\/www.lacanadaonline.com\/articles\/2007\/07\/19\/commentary\/lco-letters719.
\ntxt <\/p>\n
Pasadena Pops <\/p>\n
Several issues need to be brought to the attention of the
\nPasadena Pops Orchestra’s viewing public. <\/p>\n
1. The Pops Orchestra (with essentially the same players)
\nhas been playing as an orchestra for over 19 years. <\/p>\n
2. The current “merger” between the Pasadena Pops Orchestra
\nand the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra is not a “merger” at all,
\nit is essentially a take-over as the Symphony players have
\nbeen given the right to take over all of the dates and all of
\nthe concerts that are currently being played by the Pops players. <\/p>\n
3. Most of the Pops players will be losing their jobs as of this
\nSeptember. <\/p>\n
4. All of the musical players for these two groups are represented
\nby a union. Does the union represent ALL of the players? How
\ncan the union allow the Pasadena Symphony players to take
\n jobs away from the Pops players when all of the players are
\na part of the same union? (I’m sure that if some bus drivers from
\nL.A. tried to take the jobs away from the OC bus drivers, the
\nunion would not allow this to happen.) <\/p>\n
5. Rachael Worby, when asked about why she did not support or
\nfight for the players of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra, was silent
\n(the players of the Pasadena Symphony should take note). <\/p>\n
6. Contrary to the quote from Mr. O’Connor (representative of
\nthe symphony), most of the players in the Pops playing these
\nconcerts during the summer rely on this job to qualify them for
\nhealth insurance through the Union. <\/p>\n
The issues surrounding this story have been reported to the
\npublic, but the complete story has not been written. The side
\nof the actual individual musicians has not been told. Most of
\nthe players in this orchestra are highly educated. Collectively
\nthere is literally thousands of years of experience being
\nrepresented by the players of the Pops. Still, they are
\nessentially being dismissed through no fault or consequence
\nof their doing. <\/p>\n
The Pops orchestra had to add a Sunday night concert at
\nDescanso Gardens this season due to demand from the
\npublic while Symphony concert attendance has been in a
\nsteady decline. <\/p>\n
This take-over “merger” is being touted by the managements
\nof both the orchestras as being good for the community as a
\nwhole. But is it really a good thing when we take away
\ncompetition? The players of the Pops orchestra actually make
\nless than the players of the Symphony orchestra so this
\n“merger” is not money related. <\/p>\n
Because the Symphony players are paid more money, it will
\ncost the newly formed orchestra\/management more money over
\nthe course of a year to play all of the venues that are played by
\nthe now separate orchestras. <\/p>\n
The only individual from the Pasadena Pops organization who
\nis being guaranteed to keep a job is the conductor Rachael
\nWorby (and this includes the Pasadena Pops Board of Directors).
\nWhat is wrong with this picture? When one of the players in the
\norchestra who has played with the orchestra for the past 20 years
\nasked if they would be receiving a severance package, they were
\ntold by the Pops acting executive director (Henry Reed) that
\nthey were only part-time employees and were not entitled to
\nany compensation. <\/p>\n
This is just shameful and wrong. <\/p>\n
The management of the Pasadena Pops Orchestra, i.e.,
\nthe Foothill Friends of Music, certainly has the right to conduct
\nbusiness as they see fit. However, do they have the right to
\ntreat longtime, highly- skilled employees who have been faithful
\nand who helped to build this orchestra from its inception (Ms.
\nWorby has only been with the orchestra for the past six years)
\nin this horrible and disgraceful manner? Additionally, should
\nwe as the viewing and paying public continue to support this
\nobvious injustice? Indeed, Ms. Worby is not up on the stage
\nby herself, she needs the support of the players or it will not
\nsound very good despite any of her actions.. <\/p>\n
It is true what they say, there is an educated poor, even in
\nthis country. If music is truly an integrated discipline, something
\nthat we as a culture and society value so highly, then why do we
\nallow the individuals creating the music to be treated so badly? <\/p>\n
There are many injustices that confront each of us on a daily
\nbasis and as individuals we do nothing because it requires some
\ntype of action, however, regarding this injustice we as the viewing
\npublic do have power. We can do nothing. If we refuse to support
\nthe Foothill Friends of Music, i.e., and the Pasadena Pops
\nOrganizations’ blatant and disgraceful mistreatment of their very
\nown musicians perhaps they will receive the message. Please
\nboycott the remainder of any of their concerts. <\/p>\n
Camelle M. Read, La Ca\u00f1ada<\/p>\n
==============<\/p>\n
IV. UPCOMING MEMBER CONCERTS AND NEWS<\/p>\n
Notice from Louis Durra \u2013 <\/p>\n
I’ll be playing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival most of August
\nwith comedian Taylor Negron and violinist\/vocalist Lili Haydn.
\nThe show is called Satellites. Let me know if you will be
\nthere or have friends who will, it would be nice to visit with
\nfriends in that beautiful setting. <\/p>\n
Enjoy your August!<\/p>\n
——————–<\/p>\n
CHRIS WALDEN BIG BAND<\/p>\n
Wed, Aug 8, 2007, 8:30pm
\nCATALINA BAR & GRILL
\n6725 Sunset Blvd.
\nHollywood, CA 90028
\n(323) 466-2210
\nCover: $12<\/p>\n
Advance copies of the new album<\/p>\n
CHRIS WALDEN BIG BAND & ST. JOHN’S CHOIR
\nKURT MARTI SUITE<\/p>\n
available to purchase that night.
\n(Official release date: Aug 21)<\/p>\n
——————–<\/p>\n
After a very well received performance at the Mid-Europe
\nBand Festival in Schladming, Austria by the LA Winds under
\nthe baton of Local 47 colleague Steve Piazza, Charles
\nFernandez\u2019 \u201cSuite #1\u201d from his ballet, \u201cThe Statue\u201d will have
\nits Walt Disney Concert Hall debut with the Festival
\nWind Ensemble from Idyllwild Arts on August 19tth 2007
\nat 7:30 PM. Tickets are available now.<\/p>\n
——————–<\/p>\n
News from BILLY MITCHELL<\/p>\n
The “Minority Report” <\/p>\n
Go to www.minority-report.net <\/p>\n
Our CD is an experimental project that has been created with
\neasy listening in mind.<\/p>\n
A groove brand of jazz blending contemporary beats with
\nsome ethnic flavors. Our goal being music that feels good.<\/p>\n
We would appreciate your thoughts on this project. Music can be
\naccessed at: www.cdbaby.com\/minorityreport2<\/p>\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n
Minority Report<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
The Billy Mitchell Group <\/p>\n
featuring <\/p>\n
Sandra Booker
\nIn concert at the
\nLevitt Pavilion
\nSunday, August 5th ’07
\n7:00 PM<\/p>\n
Frank Wilson-drums Jacque Lesure-guitar
\nTomas Gargano-bass Munyungo Jackson-percussion
\nBilly Mitchell-keys Sandra Booker-vocals
\nRobert Kyle-sax<\/p>\n
The Levitt Pavilion is located at 85 E. Holly St. in the heart
\n of Old Pasadena at Memorial Park, right off the Fair Oaks
\nexit from the 210 freeway, and on the corner of Walnut
\nand Raymond.<\/p>\n
Parking
\nOld Pasadena offers more than
\n7,800 available parking spaces in public and private
\ngarages throughout the district, some with free time the
\nfirst 90 minutes. The closest parking garage is located on
\nRaymond Ave., directly across the street from the bandshell.
\nAlso, there are 300 metered spaces open on Raymond Ave.
\nTake the Metro
\nThere is a Gold Line Metro Stop at
\nMemorial Park!<\/p>\n
www.levittpavilionpasadena.org<\/p>\n
==============<\/p>\n
V. MEMBER COMMENTS<\/p>\n
The views expressed here are those of the contributing
\nmember and not necessarily the COMMITTEE.<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Great meeting the other night. It was immediately clear
\nthat this was to be a “lick our wounds” night for the
\nRMALA. Okay, that’s fine. They certainly have some
\nto lick. From what I hear, Brother Muggeridge was spot-
\non with his report that every mention of the RMA’s name
\nspiked a reaction from the AFM delegates, mostly negative.
\nUntil they come to grips with why the organized recording
\ncommunity has sunk to this level of esteem, they have
\nno chance of ever again inspiring the AFM to give them
\nthe support and allegiance they used to enjoy. <\/p>\n
Did you pay attention at the meeting when Secondary
\nMarkets Fund Administrator Dennis Dreith stated it rightly
\nwhen he said that the SMF disbursements ARE wages after
\nall? Did you also know that the double- and triple-scale
\nrecording elites only pay work dues on their basic scale?
\nAdd these two factoids together and it becomes immediately
\nclear why the tiny minority of “die-hard” recording artists
\nso aggressively defend their “sweetheart deal,” since the
\nmoney they pay to support the AFM is traditionally and
\ngrotesquely out of proportion, on the LOW side, with the
\nhigh wages they get to earn and keep. AND to the percentages
\nof our wages that the rest of us have to fork over every month
\nin work dues. Is it any wonder that any mention by the AFM
\nto democratize the recording field by introducing new
\ncontracts that will put far more people to work is raising
\ntheir ire?<\/p>\n
Instead of being grateful for the huge advantage they have
\nalways enjoyed, they have a history of throwing their weight
\naround on the national and local levels. They earn the most,
\nthey keep the most, and (because they work in a rigged
\nhiring environment that punishes squeaky wheels) they sure
\nget to whine the most in public. They treated us to over two
\nhours of world-class groaning about how they and this local
\n(hey, guys, there IS a difference!) were no longer represented
\nat the Federation level. Given the history of RMA control and
\narrogance towards the AFM, is this some cosmic surprise?
\nInstead of getting mad at the Federation, why isn’t anyone
\ngetting mad at them? Greed may be understandable but,
\nwhen it puts fellow union musicians out of work, it sure
\nisn’t forgivable.<\/p>\n
Do us all a favor, everybody. When you hear all the “Prince
\nof Darkness” talk about the AFM and Tom Lee, take just a
\nmoment and consider what may be motivating the speaker:
\ngreed for an unfair spoils system that rewards so very few
\nor concern for the majority left behind so that this few can
\nprofit so much? <\/p>\n
You can only choose one.<\/p>\n
———————-<\/p>\n
Our referral service used to be such a good thing. The jobs have
\n vanished, I don\u2019t care what the vice president says at the union
\nmeeting. I\u2019m glad a motion was made to restore it. My blood began
\nto boil when someone asked about the unions progress on getting
\na referral service website going. It came out that the AFM has a
\nwebsite program available to the locals for FREE. Why aren\u2019t we
\nusing it even just for a little while? Every minute that we don\u2019t have
\na website is losing me money and at this point its been years that
\nthey\u2019ve been dragging their feet on this. I know there\u2019s politics in
\neverything but are they still mad at Schubach for doing a good job
\nwhen he ran the office? Get over it! It came out a meeting or two ago
\nthat the union had paid a computer programmer on the east coast
\n$20,000 to make a referral service website but he totally stiffed the
\nunion and disappeared, and now the union has just signed a contract
\nwith a new company for $30,000. So we\u2019re up to $50,000 and years
\ntoo late for something we could get for free??? This is obscene
\nspending and incompetence worthy of the federal government.<\/p>\n
When Local 47\u2019s webmaster, the authority on the project, got up
\nto explain why we needed a more customized program than the
\nAFM had, it all became clear to me. The project is going at exactly
\nthe speed they want. And why is a man with so many conflicts in
\na position of authority on this project? He is Local 47\u2019s webmaster
\nand the RMA\u2019s webmaster, he is the vice president of the RMA
\nand I hear that he\u2019s also an officer of the Professional Musicians
\nGuild (is that legal?). And he is on the Local 47 hearing board so if
\nthere\u2019s a dispute he sits in judgment. How huge does the conflict
\nof interest have to be before the Local notices? Everyone else notices.<\/p>\n
I hope the new committee can make some good changes in the
\nreferral service. After the meeting I was talking to another member
\nabout the mess and he said something that I just can\u2019t get out of
\nmy head. Maybe the jobs haven\u2019t really vanished!<\/p>\n
[Editor\u2019s note: The actual amount of the first round of spending
\ntoward the referral service website was closer to $12,000, still
\nan obscene amount, but not $20,000. Also the $30,000 is for
\nthe development of a website for the entire local from what we
\nunderstand, not just for the referral service website. However, it
\nseems very clear that this board is so anti-AFM that they would
\nrather spend our members money to build a website of our own
\nrather than be depend on the Federation for anything. Sound
\nfiscally responsible to you?]<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
I attended the membership meeting last week. I admit that I don\u2019t
\nunderstand the recording musicians issues like with the tax on
\n special payments that got so much heated talk. Fair or not it
\napparently was voted in at the convention. What made me very
\nuncomfortable was our Local 47 officers and lawyer practically
\nordering the recording musicians not to pay the tax. \u201cIf you haven\u2019t
\nsigned the card, you don\u2019t have to pay.\u201d Or something like that
\nalong with more AFM bashing. If something is really wrong why
\naren\u2019t our officers going to bat against the AFM for us rather than
\nencouraging our recording musicians to not pay. What if these
\nmembers could get in trouble for not paying? I feel the advice
\nfrom the podium was ill advised to say the least. What is this
\ncard? Can you shed any light?<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
Did I hear Vince right?
\n\u2026. For those of you who do bar mitzvahs and weddings and
\nthose that are doing MORE IMPORTANT work.. or did he say
\nbigger work?
\nSomething like that…please correct me if I misinterpreted that!
\nWasn’t very nice or appropriate…as VP he should pick his
\nwords a bit more carefully!!
\nI will give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn’t realize
\nwhat he was saying???????<\/p>\n
And as far as Jay Rosen, if I understood him properly, he said
\nthere are over 800 who qualify for health and welfare under
\nmotion pictures and one would have to do 24 gigs in a 6 month
\nperiod to qualify. That is about one gig a week on the low end to
\nqualify.
\nThat is not full time employment as a recording musician.<\/p>\n
Only a select group work full time in that arena. That’s show biz!
\nI get to work full time as a live performer and I love it!
\nMaybe if you aren’t getting the kind of work you want, you are
\nnot supposed to be in that line of work?? There are plenty of avenues
\nto pursue in this business, if you really want to make a living as a
\nmusician! As I have seen with my career and many of my friend\u2019s
\ncareers, we head in one direction and a better opportunity comes
\nalong that you never dreamed of! Just stay open to the possibilities!!<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
Bravo to the Committee and their members – yes they have names
\nand the RMALA named names, not nearly all of them of course,
\nbut named names. But I can tell you that the committee is not doing
\nharm but is making the AFM a better democracy than it has ever
\nbeen. LA is going to be a ghost town for recording unless the AFM
\nDOES start making employers want to stay here…hopefully it’s not
\ntoo late…….I say get back the recording work at any cost and get it
\nback now.<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
did you hear – another scoring stage closing possibly…….?
\nTODD AO – closing soon…….do we need anything else to tell us that
\nthe end is near?
\nwe – the AFM musicians, need to embrace all work situations
\nimmediately sorry old guard, recording elite – the writing is on the
\nwall –
\nI plan on going ahead with work any way, any how, in LA \u2013
\nPeriod try to live off your secondary market checks in a few years<\/p>\n
I moved here to be a recording musician in the recording capitol
\nof the world……I think it is still worth saving. Lets fight to keep
\nTODD AO open.<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
I find all of these communiqu\u00e9s to be very well written, with a “Union”
\n-type of spirit that doesn’t pull punches. I do not believe that from
\nwhat I’ve read there is anything that even closely resembles
\n“defamation”. <\/p>\n
I appreciate the insight that you provide apparently to all the locals.
\nIn my opinion the specific issues that are covered in your e-mail
\nblasts have long been an AFM battleground (legislatively for at
\nleast 10 years). I remember when Vic Fuentealba was replaced by
\nMarty’s election – principally due to the efforts of Local 47’s
\nrecording musicians. <\/p>\n
Food for thought: what if during the next round negotiations
\nthe AFM were to insist on changing the definition in its
\nagreements of “Contractor” especially for film work? <\/p>\n
Keep on shining that light brother,<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Some positive news! One of our great talents, Lalo Schifrin,
\nrecently scored some of the best music ever for the next Jackie
\nChan movie, Rush Hour 3! Kudos to Maestro Schifrin and to Frankie
\nCapp for putting together a ‘top notch’ Union orchestra recorded here
\nin good ole L.A.! I firmly believe that the ‘best’ stay in the U.S.A
\nand more specifically, in Los Angeles to record ’cause they know
\nit is the Entertainment Capital of the World. When you have the
\nclass and the talents of both Schifrin and Capp, they know it is a
\n‘no-brainer’ to get the job done at the highest level, witht he very
\nbest musicians, in L.A. Stay tuned to see and hear this new
\nmovie and compare it to what you have heard in other parts of
\nthe country and the world. I rest my case! <\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
I am happy that you all see that Tom Lee is a worker for all
\nmusicians ever where. Lets get on with the business of working
\nfor the AFM and continue to press for each of our concerns.
\nThey will give you the answer in a timely fashion. This Union
\nmust trust it’s leaders ( we put them there to work for us) let
\nthem do the job. There should not be end fighting but working
\ntogether to improve the Union.<\/p>\n
I read it all and hope we can move. forward.<\/p>\n
Thanks for the information (It helps us all to understand what
\nis going on)<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Colleagues!,<\/p>\n
Please plan now for the October meeting,. It can mean a huge
\nleap forward in making sure this Local works for ALL members
\nwithout favoritism.<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I. July 23rd\u2019 MEMBERSHIP MEETING II. FMA REPORT III. UPDATE ON PASADENA POPS SITUATION IV. UPCOMING MEMBER CONCERTS AND NEWS V. MEMBER COMMENTS Greetings Local 47 Colleagues!, July 23rd\u2019s Local 47 meeting turned out to be somewhat helpful for the rank and file of our Local though the main thrust of the night was a […]<\/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-53","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\/53","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=53"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/53\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=53"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=53"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=53"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}