I. OCTOBER 22nd SPECIAL ELECTION FOR SECRETARY TREASURER
\nDAVID SCHUBACH FOR SECRETARY-TREASURER!
\nII. BOARD CUTS ENTIRE ADVERTISING BUDGET FOR SELECT SERVICES
\nIII. HEARD ABOUT THE RMA MEETINGS
\nIV. COMMENTS<\/p>\n
Greetings Colleagues,<\/p>\n
DON\u2019T FORGET THE OCTOBER 22nd MEETING!<\/p>\n
We have an update on the Local 47 \u201cScuttling\u201d email. As you\u2019ll remember,
\nthe Local sent out an email on September 26th saying they had scuttled the
\nNES session. We now have confirmation that President Espinosa was sent an
\nemail by the publisher of Film Music Magazine on Saturday, September 22nd
\nat 6:41p.m., informing him that the session did indeed happen, and asking for
\nhis comment. This notice was also sent to John Acosta, Electronic Media
\nServices Director and the president of the RMA. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
President Espinosa still sent the \u201cScuttling\u201d email four days later. If you find
\nthis case of dishonestly or incompetence as troubling as we do, please make
\nsure to show up at the October 22nd meeting and let your feelings be known.
\nYou don’t have to make flowery speeches; the numbers of attendees will speak
\nvolumes. <\/p>\n
There should be some accountability for defrauding the membership in our
\nown publications, much less dishonesty toward members at any time.<\/p>\n
I. OCTOBER 22nd SPECIAL ELECTION FOR SECRETARY TREASURER
\nYOU CAN ONLY VOTE IN PERSON! If you cannot make it, please SEND
\nA SUB!<\/p>\n
At the October 22nd general membership meeting, the membership has only
\ntwo choices: The status quo or the future.<\/p>\n
When we heard Ms. Lashinsky was going to be the interim Secretary, we
\nhad high hopes and thought it only fair to reserve judgment until we saw how
\nshe performed her interim duties.<\/p>\n
We were sorely disappointed to find that she has unfortunately adopted and
\ncontinued her predecessor’s practices in obstructing members from receiving
\ninformation due them under very specific bylaws. On point, Ms. Lashinsky
\nplayed exactly the same games to delay and avoid compliance with the by-law
\nthat requires her to produce, for any member “on demand,” the auditor’s report
\non the Local’s finances. <\/p>\n
Ms. Lashinsky has been in step with the Espinosa administration–in fact
\nhas been part of it and at one with it–for years. As a consequence, she has
\nbeen a willing participant in some of the most obviously questionable decisions
\nof the Espinosa administration, from raises in the quorum that cost you members
\nyour voice for over two years, the dismantling of our rank and file services,
\n(including the recent elimination of the advertising budgets for Studio 47,
\nCD\/Radio airplay promotions area and Referral Service,) to the repeated attempts
\nby the Espinosa Administration to go against member-voted mandates and the
\nattempted hijacking of our delegates’ votes at the AFM convention.<\/p>\n
WE HAVE ANOTHER OPTION! THE PATH TO OUR FUTURE IS CLEAR\u2026<\/p>\n
With the announcement of David Schubach\u2019s entrance into the election for
\nSecretary, the path to our Local\u2019s future is perfectly clear.<\/p>\n
We don’t need more yes-people for the current power structure; we need to
\nadvance the re-vitalization and reform of our Local by seizing this opportunity
\nto replace their hand-picked successor to the 22-plus-year retiring cornerstone
\nof the old regime which has, by its incredible inertia, trapped this town and its
\nwork in industrial quicksand. <\/p>\n
The best thing about former Vice-President Schubach\u2019s announcement is that
\nit gives specifics of his qualifications and establishes a clear track record of
\nhelping you, the rank and file, in tangible and concrete ways. This won’t be
\nthe usual lesser-of-two-evils flip-of-the-coin. You can sense exciting change
\nbrewing in the union. David Schubach is EXACTLY the kind of officer we need at this
\nvery crucial time in our Local\u2019s history. Don’t fear change; embrace it.<\/p>\n
In case you missed it, here is his election announcement:<\/p>\n
————-<\/p>\n
Local 47 Friends & Colleagues,
\nAre you better off now than you were three years ago? Is our Union? It is time
\nto restore your voice at Local 47! Your future is being decided right now without
\nyour input. To ensure that our Union works for ALL members, I announce
\nthat I am a candidate for office.<\/p>\n
DAVID SCHUBACH for Secretary-Treasurer!<\/p>\n
Monday, October 22, 7pm. In-Person Voting Only<\/p>\n
Special Election at the membership meeting. Come early to register.
\nEvery vote is crucial! Only full members with their dues current can vote. <\/p>\n
You must attend the membership meeting to vote. No absentee ballots.<\/p>\n
Visit: www.davidschubach.com<\/p>\n
ABOUT DAVID SCHUBACH\u2026<\/p>\n
1. 2-term Local 47 Vice President
\n -A strong advocate for all members – recording, symphony, theater & freelance
\n– Expanded the Referral Service, Recording Studio & CD Sales departments<\/p>\n
2. Proven independent and experienced leadership
\n-Fought against corruption and waste
\n-Guarded members’ info by changing social security numbers to account #s
\n-Instituted written jobs descriptions and accountability for Local 47 staff<\/p>\n
3. Helped thousands of members gain employment
\n-Brought the Network Referral Service to its highest level
\n-The Network was widely-regarded as the best referral service in the AFM<\/p>\n
4. Developed & championed the SELA contract
\n-Helped freelance musicians receive health & pension benefits
\n-A 1\u00bd year project strongly resisted by the board & trustees<\/p>\n
5. Strongly advocated making private teaching Union work
\n-More members could qualify for health & pension benefits<\/p>\n
6. Built alliances with other entertainment unions & industry organizations
\n-Lobbied state legislators with the Recording Artists Coalition
\n-Past chairman of the Entertainment Industry Business Council<\/p>\n
7. Successful owner\/operator of a retail music store
\n-Proven entrepreneurial business expertise<\/p>\n
Change is happening. Be part of it!
\nIf you only come to one membership meeting in 2 years, this must be the
\none! Elect an officer who has shown he will be responsible to you – all of
\nyou! See you on October 22!<\/p>\n
David Schubach<\/p>\n
The candidate you can trust to get the job done!<\/p>\n
————<\/p>\n
COLLEGUES! IT\u2019S YOUR JOB!<\/p>\n
The COMMITTEE fully endorsed David Schubach for Secretary.
\nIf you were one of those who didn\u2018t bother to vote in the last election
\nbecause you figured it was a shoe-in, only to be shocked and dismayed
\nat the outcome, now\u2019s the time to make up for that mistake!<\/p>\n
We need you at the October 22nd meeting to continue our re-assertion
\nof the rank and file\u2019s rights and voice!<\/p>\n
Voting requires your presence. If you cannot be at the meeting, you\u2019re not
\noff the hook. This is as important as any gig so please SEND A SUB! The
\nmore people we turn out, the closer we get to an unambiguous statement of
\nwhat we all want. <\/p>\n
Our future is in your hands, please take part.<\/p>\n
============<\/p>\n
II. LOCAL 47 CUTS ENTIRE ADVERTISING BUDGET FOR SELECT SERVICES<\/p>\n
No one can say this board doesn\u2019t have chutzpa. The Executive Officers have cut the
\nENTIRE advertising budget for:
\n1)\tThe Referral Service
\n2)\tThe CD Sales and Radio Airplay Department
\n3)\tStudio 47<\/p>\n
One of our sources at the Local tells us the Officers\u2019 intended excuse
\nwill be that they expect the website will make up for the total lack of
\nany advertising dollars.<\/p>\n
Those trying to work in those areas are exceptional and dedicated employees
\nand members, trying their best to serve the membership in an atmosphere
\nbeing made more and more difficult by having the very tools of their
\nsuccess undermined and crippled by Executive Officers with an agenda,\u2026
\nand strong puppet strings attached.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s only one of the boards\u2019 most obvious lapses in logic: Once this
\nwebsite (only YEARS late) is available, how will anyone know it\u2019s there?
\nWill they ADVERTISE it? But there\u2019s no budget for that, is there? <\/p>\n
It is obvious that the Executive Officers are redoubling their efforts to
\nrender these member services useless, thus potentially causing other
\nmembers to quit. We defy you to come up with a reasonable explanation
\nas to how this helps you fellow members<\/p>\n
============<\/p>\n
III. HEARD ABOUT THE RMA MEETINGS?<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve talked to several of those who\u2019ve attended one of the five RMA
\nmeetings last month. The gist was that they\u2019re going ahead with their
\nattempt to bilk the AFM for over a million dollars with an absurd charge
\nconcerning dues collected on promulgated agreements. Our research tells us
\nthat the moment an employer accepts and signs a contract for a particular
\njob that contract is confirmed and totally legit. End of story.<\/p>\n
But get this. At the meetings a Powerpoint presentation was presented,
\nthen fliers were passed out, actually soliciting donations to help pay for
\nthe RMA leadership\u2019s little project. <\/p>\n
Trouble is, most aren\u2019t buying it. Some of the members attending have
\nsaid, “HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT THERE’S MORE WORK NOW
\nWHEN I AND MANY OF MY FRIENDS ARE NOTICING THE
\nOPPOSITE?”<\/p>\n
Also at one of the meetings, the question was asked, \u201cWhat happens if
\nthe money runs out before the case is finished, as has happened so many
\ntimes?\u201d<\/p>\n
After paying their Annual RMA Dues, and soliciting members to join the
\nPMG (Another $100), they actually have the gall to ask those showing up
\nto the meetings for EVEN MORE MONEY to help in the RMA leadership\u2019s
\nlatest attempt to ruin that which they no longer control: the AFM.<\/p>\n
AN ALMOST UNIMAGINABLE ARROGANCE AND GREED<\/p>\n
Think for a moment. Can you imagine a small group so self-centered that
\nwhen they didn\u2019t get their way at the AFM convention, they trump up
\nany excuse to attack our Federation.<\/p>\n
Because the AFM no longer has the supple spine to bow to their every
\nbullying tactic, this small cabal is now trying to destroy the AFM, an
\norganization that is over 100 years old and with still over 90,000 members.<\/p>\n
=============<\/p>\n
V. COMMENTS<\/p>\n
The views expressed here are those of the participating readers
\nand not necessarily those of the COMMITTEE.<\/p>\n
——————————————-<\/p>\n
Dear Committee,<\/p>\n
Leslie Lashinsky’s “Campaign email” – shocking by what it says – more
\nshocking by what it doesn’t say!<\/p>\n
PLAYING ON EMOTIONS – THE BEST PLATFORM LESLIE COULD COME
\nUP WITH <\/p>\n
“Save the Secretary” indeed! Leslie is INTERIM Secretary, not
\nSecretary.<\/p>\n
Leslie’s tone is “help me keep my gig.” “HELP ME, OBIWAN!” <\/p>\n
Why? because that’s the best she could come up with regarding why she
\nshould win the election! “I need to be elected…” “My fate will be determined…”
\n“My future depends on you…” “please be there for me…”<\/p>\n
(You notice she doesn’t actually say, “Please vote for me.”)
\nShe’s asking to be rescued!! Everybody come and save the Damsel in
\ndistress from losing “her gig!”<\/p>\n
NO EXPERIENCE, NO RESUME
\nThis is OUR MONEY we’re talking about!
\n“musical and leadership skills and experience needed to serve with
\nstrength, compassion and creativity” – this is only an exercise in
\ncreative writing, not a resume! – You’ll notice she HAS NO RESUME
\nto present for this kind of work. She HAS no “experience” in this
\nkind of job. We don’t need someone with “music skills” to be Secretary\/
\nTreasurer.
\nWe need someone with proven business skills, accounting skills, and
\nLOTS of experience running a business!<\/p>\n
WHAT “LEADERSHIP SKILLS?”
\nDoes the above sound like a person with leadership skills to you?!
\n“great at this job” – what?! she’s only had it for a couple of months!
\nHow could she claim she’s “great” at it? What track record does she
\nhave as an Officer? Zero, zippo, zilch!<\/p>\n
As for “leadership,” so far Leslie does whatever Hal, Vince and Lewis
\ntell her to do. Considering the current Administration’s agenda to close
\ndown all services to Members, do we really need another nail in the coffin?<\/p>\n
PROVEN RESISTANCE TO MEMBERS’ REQUESTS
\nCompassion?
\n– Let’s ask member Charles Fernandez about how much compassion Leslie
\nexpressed in her letter to him, when he requested a financial accounting as
\nallowed in our Bylaws.
\n– Ask Charles if Leslie is still pretending not to have Paul Castillo’s letter in
\nthe minutes, where Paul demands Vince Trombetta’s resignation.
\n– “bridge-builder” – yeah, unless she doesn’t want to give you information,
\nor doesn’t want your letter printed in the Overture.<\/p>\n
Let’s ask Candidate for Secretary\/Treasurer David Schubach how “compassionate”
\nLeslie was, as she pointedly confronted him, unprovoked – in the presence of
\nother members at the Indie Music Conference last weekend – rudely reminding
\nhim that it’s “illegal to campaign on Local #47 property.” As if David didn’t know
\nthe rules! He was VP for four years. He was only there to help man the FMA Booth
\nfor the Conference as a volunteer, and never mentioned his candidacy for Sec\/Treasurer
\nat all!<\/p>\n
I was embarrassed by her belittling of David’s integrity.<\/p>\n
If I were Secretary, and members asked for financials, I hope I would be more
\nagreeable to conforming to the Bylaws. <\/p>\n
Thanks to Hal’s revealing statements at the last General Meeting, at least we
\nnow know that the main reason our Officers are resisting giving us financial
\ninfo is because THEY DON’T HAVE A BUDGET! <\/p>\n
Do we really need one more person with no accounting skills whatsoever
\nin this administration? Should the weak link be the Secretary\/Treasurer?<\/p>\n
I won’t beat this horse any more. We know what color it is. <\/p>\n
Please vote for David Schubach and avoid this nightmare.<\/p>\n
=============<\/p>\n
Dear Comm 47, <\/p>\n
In reading the latest mailing, I think you have lost sight of your mission.
\nThe issue is that the Union leadership has failed to be responsive to its own
\nmembership! In reaction, a few musicians have chosen to declare their Beck
\nrights and become non-members, leaving the Union and all of its membership
\nto the consequences. I am very put off by what appears a kind of promotion
\nof the fi-core musician. The Comm 47, ( in keeping with its watchdog mission),
\nkeep its focus on the failed leadership that has lead to this turn of events that
\ndivides our brotherhood. <\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
Hi,<\/p>\n
I have been receiving your emails for many months and in general have been
\na big supporter of your efforts and views. We do indeed need to take back the
\nlocal for the others of us, away from the elites that control it.<\/p>\n
Having said that, I am dismayed at your support for the non-union fi-core people.
\nI am a union member and will always remain a union member, not a quitter. These
\npeople hurt our cause by quitting the union, no matter for what reason. The right
\nthing to do is to STAY IN THE UNION, vote, organize, and change it. Change doesn’t
\nhappen overnight, it takes time and patience. Being a non-union worker who undercuts
\nunion contracts was something I was taught to be ashamed of and it is still that way.
\nThink of this: If we eventually win our battle to break the monopoly of work by the
\nelite “in-crowd” and start to spread the work around, what have we gained if the
\ncontracts have been broken and we are working for peanuts with no protections.
\nThat’s what I call throwing the baby out with the bath water. Let’s act like responsible
\nunion musicians and do this the right way, not by quitting the union.<\/p>\n
One final thought. Yes, I have been asked to work fi-core. It almost always seems
\nto be by a contractor or EMPLOYER, in other words someone who would benefit from
\nmy selling out the union. Let’s make sure we think hard about who are our friends
\nand who are really “wolves in sheep’s clothing”<\/p>\n
Please get your newsletter efforts back on track and fight for us WITHIN the union! <\/p>\n
Thank you.<\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
In the last e-mailing I read this:<\/p>\n
“This is whining: quote from your email: “it’s the Espinosa Administration policies and
\nconduct that drove many musicians to choose fi-core status to begin with.” Come on!!!
\nStop whining, look in the mirror and put the blame where it belongs. No one can “drive
\nyou” to do anything without your permission.”<\/p>\n
What does this person think? That we all live off of trust funds and do music for fun?
\nOr maybe we all own our own Fortune 500 companies and have no bills to worry about?
\nReality-check, my friend – if we’re not making enough of a living from music, we are
\ndoing something else to pay the bills; and some of us would rather keep doing music
\nfor a living. Working “within the system” as the reader states earlier in their e-mail is
\nfine if the system ‘works for you’. If it works against you, then nobody is forcing you
\nto eat and pay your rent and bills, but it’s a good idea to find a way to do that without
\nputting yourself in financial jeopardy.<\/p>\n
——————<\/p>\n
In the most recent newsletter was a comment I would like to respond to. The writer did
\nnot sign the comment so I will just call him Mr. Condescension.<\/p>\n
Dear Mr. Condescension:<\/p>\n
You apparently approve of activism (your story about Pacifica Radio) when it is for a
\ncause you support. You make the same mistake as Hal Espinosa et al. by insinuating
\nthat the people who post here are “union busters,” “whiners,” “immature,” etc. presumably
\nbecause they threaten you and your ilk, the status-quotitians.<\/p>\n
The fact is that the vast majority of current dissenters in the Local 47\/RMA saga are
\nprotestors and reformers, not busters. Some believe, with sound logic by the way, that
\nthe cosmology in LA desperately needs reform, and reform is key to the future viability
\nof the union. You may disagree but there is nothing irrational, childish or knee-jerk
\nabout that position.<\/p>\n
Rather than blaming these protestors and reformers for weakening the union why don’t
\nyou consider placing responsibility where many of us think it really belongs, with 47
\nleadership and RMA oligarchy? These people are weakening the union by failing to
\nunderstand that the rank-and-file aren’t necessarily going to simply roll over and accept
\ntheir proclamations of acting in everyone’s best interest, proclamations they have come
\nto disbelieve through their own very real experiences.<\/p>\n
You admonish readers to work within the system and not avail themselves of Fi-Core
\nstatus. Well I’ve got news for you, these musicians ARE working within the system, the
\nAmerican system, which fortunately safeguards the economic rights of its citizens.
\nActivism seems to be something you would support in theory, but not when it threatens
\nyou and your fellow sycophants. That’s the beauty of the system.<\/p>\n
Rick Blanc<\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
Thank you for continuing your great work. <\/p>\n
============<\/p>\n
Colleagues,<\/p>\n
We are depending on you to use your voice and your vote at the October 22nd meeting! <\/p>\n
Survival of our Local requires change, be part of it.<\/p>\n
UNTIL NEXT TIME,<\/p>\n
THE COMMITTEE FOR A MORE RESPONSIBLE LOCAL 47<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I. OCTOBER 22nd SPECIAL ELECTION FOR SECRETARY TREASURER DAVID SCHUBACH FOR SECRETARY-TREASURER! II. BOARD CUTS ENTIRE ADVERTISING BUDGET FOR SELECT SERVICES III. HEARD ABOUT THE RMA MEETINGS IV. COMMENTS Greetings Colleagues, DON\u2019T FORGET THE OCTOBER 22nd MEETING! We have an update on the Local 47 \u201cScuttling\u201d email. As you\u2019ll remember, the Local sent out an […]<\/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-61","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\/61","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=61"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=61"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=61"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.responsible47.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=61"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}