I.\tPREMATURE SELF-CONGRATULATION
\nII. NOT EVERYTHING IS A CONSPIRACY \u2013 TAFT HARTLEY LETTERS
\nIII. MORE MISDIRECTION FROM LOCAL 47 \u2013 FI CORE CONTRACT FILING
\nIV. CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT
\nV. READER COMMENTS<\/p>\n
Greetings Colleagues!<\/p>\n
Please put the next General Membership meeting on your calendar.
\nIt\u2019s on Monday October 22nd at 7 PM. We understand there will be
\nrefreshments served, so come early and enjoy!
\nSince the RMA has had five meetings before our October 22nd meeting,
\nwe will need you there to help protect the rank and file voice, should
\nit become necessary.<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE<\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
I. PREMATURE SELF-CONGRATULATION<\/p>\n
Did you get President Espinosa\u2019s latest? The Local 47 email reporting
\non how they stopped the New Era scoring session?<\/p>\n
Last week Mr. Espinosa, Mr. Trombetta and the RMA leadership
\nwere so busy patting each other on the back that they didn\u2019t notice the
\nNES session went on as scheduled, albeit in a different location.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This most recent email directly from Mr. Espinosa and the Local
\nis far more insidious than the earlier RMA mailing though. Why? <\/p>\n
\u2022We believe Mr. Espinosa was fully aware that the NES session
\ntook place.
\n\u2022Film Music Magazine published an article about the session last
\nTuesday, September 25th.
\n\u2022The Local wrote a letter to the Film Music Magazine the very
\nnext day, Wednesday, September 26th.
\n\u2022This latest notice from Mr. Espinosa went out a full day later.
\nCertainly Mr. Espinosa would have had to have been informed.<\/p>\n
Further, he refers to the fi-core musicians as \u201cscabs\u201d. Not too long
\nago every single one of those professional musicians was a loyal and
\ndevoted AFM Local 47 member, some for years, many for decades.<\/p>\n
MORTGAGES AND BILLS<\/p>\n
Eventually, the musicians who chose fi-core status had to put paying their
\nmortgages and bills ahead of staying loyal to a Local run by an
\nadministration competent only in genuflecting to the RMA leadership
\nand continuing to turn a blind eye to anyone else\u2019s needs. That\u2019s
\nnot to say there aren\u2019t employees at the Local doing a wonderful
\njob for the entire membership. There are. It\u2019s just that they neither
\nhave offices upstairs, nor a say in policy.<\/p>\n
Espinosa calling these former members, who only left because of
\nhis and others\u2019 incompetence and indifference \u201cscabs\u201d, begs the
\nquestion asked so many years ago of one Sen. Joseph McCarthy:
\n \u201cYou have done enough. Have you no sense of decency, sir? At
\nlong last, have you left no sense of decency?\u201d<\/p>\n
CONDUCT UNBECOMING A UNION OFFICER<\/p>\n
So here we have President Espinosa telling members things we believe
\nhe knows to be untrue in an official Local 47 e-mail. There are lots of
\nother examples we could cite, but chances are you know them already.
\nHis penchant for spin is already well-documented.<\/p>\n
VP TROMBETTA FOLLOWS SUIT<\/p>\n
We also have VP Trombetta\u2019s willful dishonesty to members in
\ntwo Overture columns in a row.
\n\u2022In August, he said he was close to winning a seat on the IEB at
\nthe recent AFM Convention when three others would have had to
\nresign or kick the bucket for him to be \u201cclose\u201d (He lost by 49 votes).
\n\u2022In September\u2019s Overture he says fi-core musicians can have \u201cno
\ncontracts\u201d, a blatant and obvious lie anyone with an internet
\nconnection can expose.<\/p>\n
MORE ABOUT THE SESSION<\/p>\n
On the subject of the NES session-that-wasn\u2019t-but-really-was,
\nwe got much, but not all, of our info from a Film Music Magazine
\narticle. You can access it here, http:\/\/www.filmmusicmag.com<\/p>\n
Why are our Executive officers so selective in their indignation
\nand use of Local muscle (such as it is) in trying to act against NES
\nbut not the PMG? Why do they continue to allow an officer of the PMG
\nto remain as an officer and a part-time employee of the Local AND
\nhave content-confidential meetings with our board on a regular basis?
\nRead the EB minutes. RMA or PMG Officials have become frequent
\nattendees of Board meetings, many times in executive session. <\/p>\n
When our Local is being UNJUSTLY criticized we defend them, as
\nwe have in the Taft-Hartley situation below. Unfortunately, such
\nsituations are few and far between.<\/p>\n
============<\/p>\n
II. NOT EVERYTHING IS A CONSPIRACY \u2013 TAFT HARTLEY LETTERS<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve gotten some very angry letters from former members who
\nhave chosen Beck Status (fi-core), accusing the Local of sending Taft\u2013
\nHartley letters to leaders and contractors telling them of specific
\nmusicians who are no longer members and that those musicians
\nmust join the union within 30 days if they want to continue to
\nwork under Union contracts.<\/p>\n
According to the Local 47 Electronic Media Administrator, John
\nAcosta, letters go out automatically if a member resigns then turns
\nup on contracts the Local receives. This system has been in place
\nfor years. He agrees that Taft-Hartley letters should not be sent out
\nfor FEE PAYING Beck\/Fi-Core musicians\u2019 participation, only to non-
\nunion musicians. The hitch seems to be the period between the time
\na member resigns and their Beck Status is established.<\/p>\n
If you are told by a leader that that they received one of these letters
\nconcerning you, you must verify that your change in status has been
\nprocessed.<\/p>\n
Here is a letter received by a member from John Acosta addressing
\nthis concern.:<\/p>\n
————<\/p>\n
From John Acosta:<\/p>\n
Obviously anything that I do that has legal ramifications must be
\nApproved by our Attorney. I am not sure what letter you are referring
\nto but I am guessing it is a Taft Hartley letter. If a musician has
\nresigned from the union or is a non-member these letters go out
\nautomatically, they have been for sometime, I inherited this process.
\nIf the musician elects his Beck rights and is in that process it could be
\nthat the Taft-Hartley process was initiated somewhere in the middle
\nof the transition.<\/p>\n
We do not and have not EVER “outed” a musician for being Beck
\nstatus that would be completely inappropriate. I respect an individual’s
\nright to choose which type of affiliation to the union he or she selects,
\nalways have and always will. As you know I have a fiduciary
\nresponsibility to keep this Local free from litigation.<\/p>\n
Lastly, I feel it is important for your readers to know that I have
\nAlways felt it is a privilege to serve this Local and ALL of its
\nmembers. <\/p>\n
John Acosta
\nElectronic Media Administrator<\/p>\n
==========<\/p>\n
III. THE MISDIRECTION JUST KEEPS ON COMING \u2013
\nFI CORE CONTRACT FILING<\/p>\n
Apparently, people in authority (the ones WE pay for) at our Local, have
\nbeen telling people that FEE PAYING FI-CORE MUSICIANS cannot
\nfile union contracts. This is not true. The Local personnel passing on
\nthese falsehoods are either ignorant of the law or willfully misleading
\nmembers. Some in the Local\u2019s Administration are counting on the membership
\nnot knowing the laws or bylaws to continue to get away with such stunts.<\/p>\n
The arguments for remaining a member are strong enough that the Local
\nshould not have to stoop to intellectual dishonesty to get people to stay, but
\napparently they do. <\/p>\n
From breaking federal labor law to block fi-core musicians from rehearsing with CBA orchestras on the premises to lying about fi-core musicians\u2019 ability to file contracts, this Local, OUR Local, is proving to be as dishonest with what they tell the members as Halliburton or Enron were with their employees. <\/p>\n
Are they purposefully trying to destroy whatever trust the members may
\nhave left?<\/p>\n
Here is a letter we received from a fi-core contractor\/musician, incensed
\nby the Local\u2019s dishonesty. This former full member is as pro-union as
\nanyone, but could not take the Executive Officers\u2019 being mere lackeys
\nfor the RMA leadership any longer.<\/p>\n
———-<\/p>\n
Dear Committee,<\/p>\n
I’ve been filing contracts as a FI CORE BECK STATUS musician for
\nabout six months. I have not been affected in any way as far as filing
\nunion contracts as a leader\/contractor or a sideman.<\/p>\n
I have been able to file: SELA contracts, LA 1 casual contracts, Video
\ngame contracts, Phono, demo contracts with no interference from Local
\n47 or the Federation whatsoever. I suggest anyone who is FI CORE
\nBECK to read the actual language of those SUPREME COURT decisions.<\/p>\n
You are allowed to be protected under any Collective Bargaining
\nAgreements if you are BECK status as long as you continue to pay your
\nyearly membership dues (fees) and monthly work dues (fees). <\/p>\n
You are in fact a DUES paying NON MEMBER allowed to work both
\nsides of the coin without ANY DISCRIMINATION.<\/p>\n
Please pass this on.<\/p>\n
============<\/p>\n
IV. CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT<\/p>\n
DANIEL PEARL WORLD MUSIC DAYS SGI-USA Presents The American Victory Orchestra Conducted by Patrick Scott<\/p>\n
\u2018Handel to Hancock\u2019 Program, with an international flavor, includes: Handel, Bach, Lauridsen, Puccini, Lara, Mozart, Falvo\/Schubach, Hancock Sunday \u2022 October 7, 2007 \u2022 2:00 World Peace Ikeda Auditorium 525 Wilshire Boulevard Santa Monica 90401 Free parking in structure behind 7-11 on Wilshire and 7th Street Admission Free! Featuring Soprano Elise Richel and Special Guests: Loyola Marymount University Consort Singers, with Dr. Mary C. Breden Flamenco Dancer Claudia De La Cruz ; John Simpson, guitarist, & Co. Soka University Indian Dance Club \u2018Ghungroo\u2019
\nDr. Miri Hunter Haruach, Original Songs with the Tar
\n Also Enjoy \u2018From a Culture of Violence to a Culture of Peace: Transforming the \t\t\t Human Spirit\u2019 Exhibit in the Lobby
\nVisit www.musicdays.org For more information \u2022 818-992-8342 or 818-591-0679 \u2022 avorchestra@earthlink.net<\/p>\n
============<\/p>\n
READER COMMENTS<\/p>\n
The views expressed here are those of the participating readers and
\nnot necessarily those of the COMMITTEE.<\/p>\n
———-<\/p>\n
In the recent issue of “The Overture”, our Local 47 President, Vice
\nPresident and Secretary\/Treasurer all published articles pleading
\nwith the Local 47 membership not to assert their Beck Status
\n(Fi-Core) rights. They characterize this as “union-busting”. Having
\nspoken to several current union-members and former union-members,
\nI have reached the conclusion that members would not be asserting
\ntheir Beck Status if the Local 47 and AFM policies and practices didn’t
\ndrive them to do so. Here is what I would call “union-busting”: <\/p>\n
– The threat of a $50,000 fine for trying to make a living by accepting
\nnon-union gigs.
\n– The elimination of valuable union services (for full-union members).
\n– The arrogance of the board during meetings and their preferential
\ntreatment of the union-elite.
\n– The monopolization of the top session gigs by mainly one contractor
\nand the ‘A-List’ musicians, causing the rest of the majority of members
\n to scrounge for what work is left (and has not already left Los Angeles). <\/p>\n
It seems to me that whether a member resigns completely or just asserts
\ntheir Beck Status rights, anything that motivates them to do so (as
\nmentioned above) will weaken the union.<\/p>\n
The record companies have had a similar history of creating one-sided
\nartist contracts with language that puts the artist at a financial disadvantage.
\nIt took some time, but look where they are now – more and more artists
\nhave gone independent and the record companies are suffering due to
\ntheir own arrogance and predatory business practices. As long as our
\nunion leadership keeps trying to sell the myth that they are helping ALL
\nmembers and instead maintain policies that do not – and in fact, threaten
\nour financial well-being, their words will fall on deaf ears.<\/p>\n
—————–<\/p>\n
Regarding this fi-core rehearsals mess. <\/p>\n
Thinking “logically,” as you put it, musicians
\nhave the right to refuse to join the union, but
\nwhat is happening with the rehearsal rooms is a
\ngreat example of the problems that can arise from
\nthis refusal. I suggest you involved musicians
\ntake the blinders off and look around you. The
\nunion is “us;” it is not “them.” I suggest that
\nit is more cost effective in both time and money,
\nin the long run, to work with the system instead
\nof against it. It might have appeared easier to
\ndelude yourselves in thinking that the union
\nadministration “drove you” to choose to pay
\nagency fees, but that is a childish response.
\nYou affected musicians now have to spend valuable
\ntime in knee-jerk response, fighting this problem
\nas well as the Pasadena POPS problem and the
\ndwindling membership problem. You might consider
\nspending that valuable time working within the
\nunion instead – such as showing up at meetings
\nand doing what adult union members do, ORGANIZE.
\nYou have plenty of support from the rest of us.
\nLook at the huge turnout when the vote on bylaws
\nchanges happened. An effectively worded email
\ncan effect changes drastically. Otherwise, you
\nare just spinning your wheels for nothing. <\/p>\n
In the past it was hard to organize opposition in
\nthese cases. Not any more. The internet gives
\nus the power of communication. For example, we
\nsubscribers of KPFK and Pacifica Radio saved the
\nstations from being taken over and sold off by
\ncorporate predators only because of this powerful
\ncommunication tool Unlike the musicians, we
\ndidn’t expect the Pacifica board of directors to
\nact in the best interests of the station without
\nkeeping an eye on them. So, when the board went
\nastray, we didn’t just wait and whine, we
\norganized and used our time effectively. It took
\nus two years; democracy is not fast. Of course,
\nwe succeeded so well because, unlike most of the
\nmusicians, Pacifica subcribers are also activists
\nused to being a pain-in-the neck in the first
\nplace. <\/p>\n
I strongly suggest that you use this platform you
\nhave created with these emails to be proactive
\nwhere it will be the most effective instead of
\nreactive with this string of knee-jerk responses
\nafter the damage is done. (You might also have
\nsomeone review your writings for grammar and
\neffective writing.) <\/p>\n
Complacency is usually rewarded with being
\nshafted. <\/p>\n
The so-called “merger” with the Pasadena POPS,
\nfor example. No one was paying attention or that
\nwould not have progressed so far. The union
\nofficers “approved!!!???” the so-called merger
\nwithout even looking into it because no one was
\nwatching over them. The orchestra musicians have
\nno one to blame but themselves for acting like
\ndependent children, stupidly assuming that their
\nunion leaders were parenting them. When no one
\nis watching the store, bad things happen. Stop
\nwhining. This is whining: quote from your email:
\n“it\u2019s the Espinosa Administration policies and
\nconduct that drove many musicians to choose
\nfi-core status to begin with.” Come on!!! Stop
\nwhining, look in the mirror and put the blame
\nwhere it belongs. No one can “drive you” to do
\nanything without your permission. <\/p>\n
Re: your paragraph III “BOARD STILL PLANNING ON
\nREFERAL LOCATION REMOVAL,” below, this is also
\nreactive whining and, without leadership, severly
\nineffective: “It seems that the only vote of the
\nrank-and-file that they respect is the one that
\nput them in office. Beyond that…” Pay
\nattention to what you wrote. Union officers
\nreading this are laughing at you. <\/p>\n
Start using your valuable, irreplaceable time
\nmore effectively. In other words, grow up and
\nact like adults. <\/p>\n
————-<\/p>\n
Comm Resp 47 reported: <\/p>\n
“New York, NY — In a bold move to capture a greater share of
\nthe Video Game Scoring market, the American Federation of
\nMusicians of the United States and Canada’s International
\nExecutive Board has authorized its Officers to enter into a series
\nof “one-off” agreements with terms that are consistent with current
\nindustry practice. ” <\/p>\n
It seems to me that the Federation is undercutting it’s own CBA on
\nVideo Games. Perhaps the Federation should renegotiate that
\ncontract with the Video Game people and quit making deals that
\ndon’t have the input of the working musicians. That is the appropriate
\nway for a Union to act. <\/p>\n
They did this with the Theatrical Touring Agreements and look
\nwhat happened. Now we have Low Budget Pamphlet B and Virtual
\nOrchestra as part of the deal. <\/p>\n
Perhaps it is time to remember what Gary Mule Dear said.: “If you are
\nin the entertainment business and want to work for a little less money every
\nyear you can work for the rest of your life”
\n ……Gary Mule Dear <\/p>\n
Isn’t it time the Federation and Locals finally decide to quit competing
\nwith the union musicians doing non union work? That is GET OUT
\nOF THE OFFICE and see whats going on and fix it,not sit in the office
\nand negotiate CRUMMY (I wanted to use another word) deals. Or if
\nthe majority of musicians want the CRUMMY deals lets go back and
\nrenegotiate the original deal to be CRUMMY so we all get more lower
\npaying work. <\/p>\n
The idea of the Federation or Local negotiating a deal without member
\nparticipation and then ratifying that deal with IEB or Local Board votes
\nand not member votes is not acceptable. <\/p>\n
Perhaps some of you think your vote is not important, but I think mine
\nis very important and want the opportunity to influence my own work
\nand not leave it up to our WISE, OMNIPOTENT officials.<\/p>\n
(Editor\u2019s comment: In the last year with \u201cthose who do the work\u201d
\ncontrolling the terms, Video Game recording was down to six A YEAR.
\nWhen the new AFM contract began being advertised someone from the
\nEastman Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers reported six requests for
\nVideo Game sessions in ONE MONTH. So then, who gets results?
\nDon\u2019t take our word for it, check the facts yourself.)<\/p>\n
————-<\/p>\n
Hey Guys,<\/p>\n
Thanks for keeping me in the loop.<\/p>\n
———-<\/p>\n
I have spoken directly to a musician who played on the Sept. 22
\nNES recording session. Why is Hal Espinosa saying that this session
\nwas cancelled when in fact it was just moved to another location?
\nThis certainly seems to be deceptive advertising on the union’s part
\nto make it look like they have accomplished something for 47 members
\nwhen they have not. <\/p>\n
————<\/p>\n
\u2026.concerning the Mr. Espinosa email about stopping the NES session:<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not to sure of the law. To me this is officially advocating to keep persons
\nfrom working when they have every right to work, including Fi-Core members.
\nOtherwise, why else would you have a fi-core option?<\/p>\n
I would think that the Union is treading on some thin ice and future law suits
\nfrom preventing and interfering with persons seeking employment. <\/p>\n
Question.
\nAre they really trying to stop NES? Or is their real motive to prevent FI-CORE
\nmembers from seeking employment? <\/p>\n
==============<\/p>\n
Until next time,<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I. PREMATURE SELF-CONGRATULATION II. NOT EVERYTHING IS A CONSPIRACY \u2013 TAFT HARTLEY LETTERS III. MORE MISDIRECTION FROM LOCAL 47 \u2013 FI CORE CONTRACT FILING IV. CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENT V. READER COMMENTS Greetings Colleagues! Please put the next General Membership meeting on your calendar. It\u2019s on Monday October 22nd at 7 PM. We understand there will be […]<\/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-59","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\/59","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=59"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=59"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=59"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=59"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}