Allegro

Executive Board Minutes

May 26, 2009 - July 21, 2009

Volume CIX, No. 9September, 2009

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2009

Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Norrell, Rizzo, Schaffner, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. Financial Vice President Blumenthal excused on union business.

President Landolfi requested approval of standard three percent wage increases for three staff members. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi requested that member Sandra Billingsley be sent to the Cornell Union Leadership Training program utilizing the scholarship being offered by the program for a second 802 participant. (See minutes of May 19, 2009.) Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi requested approval for Local 802’s participation in the Broadway Green Initiative, an effort by the Broadway Theatre League to respond to environmental concerns. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi invited Board members to participate in a visit to the Actors Fund retirement home in Englewood, New Jersey on Friday, May 29 at 11:30 a.m. Discussion held.

Assistant to the President Lefevre appeared before the Board and presented the results of interviews conducted with several political candidates. Motion made and carried unanimously to endorse Councilwoman Diana Reyna (D-34 CD) for re-election to the City Council. Motion made and carried unanimously to endorse Heidi Chain for election to the NY City Council from the 29th Council District. Motion made and carried unanimously to endorse Tulani Kinard for election to the NY City Council from the 41st Council District.

Landolfi reported on a meeting with representatives of Mayor Bloomberg who is running for reelection and on a meeting with New York City Controller Thompson who is also a candidate for mayor. The meetings were attended by Landolfi, Vice Presidents Dennison and Blumenthal, Assistant to the President Lefevre and Political Director Molloy.

Landolfi reported that the producers of the Broadway production of “Hair” had requested permission to allow the Internet streaming of a portion of the show’s exit music during which audience members were to be invited on stage. Motion made and carried unanimously to allow the producers to stream and archive the audience participation segment of the exit music of “Hair” on a non precedential basis and based upon the fact that the segment is less than 15 minutes in length as per the requirements of the recent media agreement reached with the League of American Theatres and Producers.

Lefevre appeared before the Board and requested support for the “Real Rent Reform” legislation currently before the New York State legislature. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Lefevre requested funding of up to $3,000 for staff and Board members’ participation in a Strategic Contract Campaign workshop being offered by Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of May 19, 2009. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended

Meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.


TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2009

Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Johansen, Norrell, Rizzo and Roach. Financial Vice President Blumenthal excused for medical reasons.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of May 26, 2009. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Landolfi reported on the status of negotiations with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts covering the work of the Mostly Mozart Orchestra.

Landolfi reported that AFM Motion Picture and Television film negotiations would resume on June 28, 29 and 30 in Los Angeles and that arrangements were being made for the participation of Local 802 officers and a rank and file representative.

Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens present at 11:20 a.m. Landolfi requested support for an upcoming fundraising event in support of “Inside Broadway.” Motion made and carried unanimously to purchase a half-page ad and two tickets for the “Inside Broadway” fundraising event at a total cost of $1,200.

The Executive Board Finance Committee reported that it concurred with a recommendation from investment advisor Morgan-Stanley regarding rebalancing the investment account of the Emergency Relief Fund. Discussion held. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the Morgan-Stanley recommendation.

Landolfi reported on the status of the AFM’s negotiations with American Public Media.

Landolfi reported on plans for a Health Care Lobby Day in Washington, D.C. on June 25 sponsored by the AFL-CIO and Health Care for America NOW. Landolfi also reported that Local 802 had been in touch with both Actors Equity and Local 1 IATSE about jointly sponsoring buses for participation of union members in that lobby day. Discussion held.

Jazz Representative Weeks appeared before the Board and presented an agreement with Hip Bone Music, Inc. (Michael Davis). Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement.

Weeks presented an agreement with the JOTAS Corporation (Howard LeShaw). Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement.

Dennison presented proposed increases in the Local 802 public services scales. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the new public service scales effective September 1, 2009.

Discussion held on video footage taken in a union caucus at the May 2009 AFM Motion Picture and Television film negotiations and subsequently posted on YouTube. Discussion held. Motion made and carried unanimously to request that AFM president Lee contact YouTube and have the video removed and make clear to participants at future negotiations that such taping should be prohibited in any future union caucus meetings to prevent exposing any rank and file participants.

New York City Opera Committee members Gail Kruvand-Moye, Steven M. Johns, Michael Osrowitz and Mark Shuman appeared before the Board and presented a Memorandum of Agreement with the New York City Opera Company. Discussion held. Board Member Giannini present at 1:10 p.m. Discussion continued. Kruvand-Moye, Johns, Osrowitz and Shuman excused. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the MOA subject to ratification by the bargaining unit and approval of final contract language by the orchestra committee and the Executive Board.

Meeting adjourned at 1:25 p.m.


TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2009

Meeting called to order at 11:30 a.m. Present: Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Johansen, Norrell, Rizzo, Roach and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. President Landolfi excused on union business. Financial Vice President Blumenthal excused for medical reasons. Dennison chaired the meeting. Rizzo took the minutes of the meeting.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of June 2, 2009. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Dennison presented a settlement agreement with the NYC Ballet extending the probationary period for an employee. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the settlement agreement.

Board member Schwartz present at 11:35. Assistant to the President LeFevre appeared before the Board and presented a settlement agreement covering an actor/musician in the Broadway production of “Billy Elliot.” Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the settlement agreement.

LeFevre requested funding for attendance at the 2009 Personal Democracy Forum, a conference on the use of internet technology by unions and other public organizations, for himself and Public Relations Director Paul Molloy to be held on June 29 and 30, 2009 at a total cost of $910. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the expenditure and that the funding request be presented to the CAC for possible co-funding. LeFevre excused.

Controller Goldman appeared before the Board and presented the April 2009 financials, the January to April 2009 financials and the April and May 2009 vouchers. Discussion held. Board member Giannini present at 12:05. Discussion continued. Goldman excused.

Dennison requested payment of Local 802’s annual dues for its membership in U.S. Labor Against the War in the amount of $500. Discussion held. Motion made and carried to approve the request. Opposed: Burridge.

Dennison requested $100 for one ticket to a fundraising event for Tenants and Neighbors PAC to support of their renewed efforts to enact rent reform legislation. Motion made and carried to approve the request. Opposed: Burridge

Meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.


MEMBERSHIP MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2009

Meeting called to order at 5:05 p.m. by President Landolfi having determined that a quorum had been achieved. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice-President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Norrell, Rizzo, Roach, Schwartz, Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens, Trial Board Chairman Price, Trial Board Secretary Goletz, and Trial Board members Bashkow, Blanc, Cutler, Koenig, Reynolds and Schneck. Financial Vice-President Blumenthal excused for medical reasons.

President Landolfi introduced the parliamentarian Dr. Eli Merchant.

Landolfi read the proposed standing rules for the meeting.

Motion was made and seconded to allow voting on the two bylaw proposals by a show of hands rather than by a secret ballot.

Question was called. The motion was adopted.

Member John Babich read bylaw proposal # 1 as printed in the May 2009 Allegro. Discussion held. The question was called. Bylaw proposal #1 was passed by a vote of 182 in favor and 132 opposed.

Member Mairi Dorman-Phaneuf read bylaw proposal #2 as printed in the May 2009 Allegro Discussion held. The question was called. Bylaw proposal # 2 was passed by a vote of 203 – 116.

Landolfi proposed that Trial Board Chairman Price assume the chair of the meeting. Without objection Price assumed the chair of the meeting.

Member David Finck presented charges against President Landolfi, Financial Vice-President Blumenthal, Recording Vice-President Dennison and Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Norrell, Rizzo, Roach, Schaffner and Schwartz.

Motion was made and seconded to dismiss the charges. Discussion held. The question was called. Motion failed by a vote of 95 in favor and 142 against.

A quorum call was made and it was determined that a quorum was not present. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.


TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009

Meeting called to order at 11:10 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Johansen, Norrell, Rizzo, Roach, Schwartz and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. Financial Vice President Blumenthal excused for medical reasons.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of June 9, 2009. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended

Landolfi requested confirmation of a phone poll approving the purchase of a half-page ad in the event journal honoring 802 member Ron Carter and sponsored by Elders Share the Arts. The phone poll was unanimous. Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm the phone poll. Motion made and carried unanimously to purchase of 1 ticket at a cost of $100 to the Elders Share the Arts event.

Landolfi reported on the status of the special situation request submitted by the producers of the upcoming Broadway production of “Memphis” at the Shubert Theatre.

Landolfi requested that members of the Board’s financial subcommittee be added as additional signators for general fund checks issued by the union, given that financial Vice President Blumenthal was expected to be on medical leave for several weeks and that officers Landolfi and Dennison would out of town during the last week of June attending AFM film negotiations. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi reported on her participation in a meeting of trustees of the AFM & Employers Pension Fund.

Landolfi reported on her participation in AFM negotiations regarding a new AFM Pamphlet B Touring Theatrical Agreement.

Dennison reported that Local 802 would be co-sponsoring a bus along with other NYC entertainment industry unions for participation in an AFL-CIO sponsored rally and lobby day for health care reform in Washington, D.C. on June 25th.

Motion made and carried unanimously that a $100 loss of work benefit be paid from the Local 802 Strike Fund to members who are able to participate in the AFL-CIO sponsored rally and lobby day for health care reform in Washington, D.C. on June 25th and who as a result would miss work for which they had previously been engaged.

Landolfi presented a settlement agreement regarding the special situation status agreed to for the Broadway production of “Rock of Ages.” Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the settlement agreement.

Dennison requested that Local 802 participate in co-funding a booth with the AFM at the Latin Alternative Music Conference scheduled to take place in New York City July 7 – 11, 2009 at a cost of $500. Motion made and carried to approve the request. Opposed: Roach.

Political Director Molloy appeared before the Board and reported on his participation in America’s Future Now conference in Washington, D.C. June 1 to 3, 2009. Molloy also reported on several meetings with New York and New Jersey area Congress members regarding their support for performance rights legislation.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve a contribution of $250 to the campaign committee of New York Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

Molloy requested Local 802’s endorsement of Frank Gulluscio for New York City Council from the 32nd Council District in Queens. Motion made and carried unanimously to endorse Frank Gulluscio for New York City Council.

Landolfi reported on upcoming discussions with various freelance orchestras.

Meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.


TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 2009

Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Executive Board members Burridge, Fein, Johansen, Rizzo, Schaffner and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. Recording Vice President Dennison excused on vacation. Financial Vice President Blumenthal excused for medical reasons. Rizzo took the minutes.

Member Joyce Flissler appeared before the Board to discuss health benefit issues. Discussion held. Member Flissler excused. Discussion continued.

Landolfi reported on a communication received from AFM Local 38-398 Secretary Quentin Solano.

Landolfi reported that Allegro had received an award for excellence from the International Labor Press Association.

Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm the phone poll setting the date and location for the October Membership Meeting for Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 3 p.m. to be held at St. Malachy’s Church. The phone poll was unanimous.

Motion made and carried to approve expenses of up to $650 for Board members Fein’s attendance at a Cornell LIR Union leadership training program. Opposed: Burridge.

Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm a phone poll authorizing Local 802 delegates to the Working Families Party (WFP) to cast Local 802’s two votes in favor of a WFP endorsement of Bill Thompson for NY City mayor. The phone poll was unanimous.

Motion made and approved unanimously to fund expenses of up to $1,282.28 for member Tony Scelba’s participation as a delegate at the 2009 conference of the Regional Orchestra Players Association representing the Long Island Philharmonic, with these expenses to be submitted to the Coordinating Advisory Committee for funding.

Landolfi reported on her attendance at negotiations between the AFM and the League of American Theatres and Producers covering touring theatrical productions (Pamphlet B) and that a tentative agreement had been reached.

Controller Goldman appeared before the Board and presented the May 2009 and the January to May 2009 Local 802 financials. Discussion held. Goldman excused.

Landolfi distributed the annual Emergency Relief Fund benefit journal which this year had been produced as a CD-sized booklet along with a CD of Local 802 members performing in a variety of musical genres. The booklet and CD has been sent to all those who contributed to the ERF.

Local 8092 Counsel Mars appeared before the Board and reported on legal issues regarding former Counsel Leibowitz including Leibowitz’s recent indictment for embezzlement from an independent union of dancers. Discussion held. Mars excused.

Jazz Representative Weeks appeared before the Board and presented an agreement with Coup de Cone Music, Inc. (Wycliffe Gordon). Motion made and approved unanimously to approve the agreement. Weeks excused.

Landolfi presented a memorandum of agreement with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts covering the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit. Motion made and carried unanimously that the eligibility for ratification would be established on the same basis as prior ratifications as per the recommendation of the negotiating committee.

Landolfi presented a memorandum of agreement with the American Ballet Theatre. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Landolfi reported that the Westchester Philharmonic had requested permission to hold an audition for an open position in the orchestra on a one-time non-precedential basis. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi presented an agreement for a reading production of a show titled “The Addams Family.” Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement.

Landolfi reported on the status of AFM Film negotiations. Discussion held.

Landolfi reported on new scholarship program offered by Lehman College, which would be made available to Local 802 members and their children.

Assistant to the President Lefevre appeared before the Board and presented a preliminary budget for the 2009 New York Musical Theatre Festival totaling $3,070. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the budget of up to $3,070. Lefevre excused.

Landolfi requested the purchase of an ad in the event journal for the annual Father Moore Dinner at St. Malachy’s church honoring Local 1 IATSE President James Claffey, in the amount of $5,000. Motion made and carried to approve the request. Opposed: Burridge.

Meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.


TUESDAY, JULY 21, 2009

Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Landolfi, Recording Vice -President Dennison, Board members Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Norrell, Rizzo, Roach, Schaffner and Schwartz. Financial Vice President Blumenthal excused for medical reasons.

Recording Vice President Dennison distributed the minutes of June 22, 2009. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

President Landolfi requested approval of the May and June 2009 vouchers. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi requested approval for an additional reimbursement of a travel expense in the amount of $50 for member Roy Williams incurred for his participation as the rank and file representative in the recent AFM film negotiations and for which a receipt had been lost. Motion made and carried to approve the request based on the written explanation submitted by member Williams.

Landolfi requested funding for Public Relations and Political Action Director Molloy to participate in a three day seminar on political organizing at Camp Wellstone at a total cost of $200. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Landolfi reported on a joint Coalition of Broadway Unions and Guilds and League of American Theatres and Producers project to recognize long-term Broadway Theatre employees including musicians.

Dennison reported on the results of extensive research that had been done by staff and Counsel regarding the various changes in local bylaws from 1982 to the present, specifically the bylaws regarding Charges Against Officers. Dennison also distributed to the Board copies of the misprinted version and the corrected version of the Charges Against Officers bylaw section of the Local 802 Constitution and Bylaws along with extensive documentary evidence verifying the content of the corrected bylaw. Discussion held.

Motion made and seconded to make the report, its findings and all of the supporting documentary evidence, including digital copies of Allegro available on line for the membership to review, to inform the member who recently filed charges against Local 802 officers about the results of this historical review and to proceed to arbitration as required by the corrected bylaw. Discussion held.

Substitute motion made and defeated to delay any action until board members review the material. Opposed: Dennison, Fein, Giannini, Norrell, Rizzo, Roach and Schaffner.

Meeting recessed for lunch at 12:55 p.m. Meeting resumed at 1:30 p.m. Present: Landolfi, Dennison, Burridge, Fein, Giannini, Norrell, Rizzo, Roach, Schaffner and Schwartz. Discussion resumed. Original motion carried unanimously.

Dennison presented a budget for Local 802’s participation in the 2009 NY City Labor Day parade at a total cost of $5,100. It was noted that the proposed 2009 budget was more than $2,000 less than the 2008 Labor Day budget. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the proposed Labor Day budget.

Dennison requested that Recording Representative Cohn be promoted to Senior Business Rep according to the terms of the Local 802 agreement with the Organization of Union Representatives. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Dennison presented the terms of a Letter of Agreement with the Children’s Orchestra Society modifying and extending the current collective bargaining agreement. Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Dennison reported on the status of the Justice For Jazz Artists campaign, noting that more than 800 musicians have signed petitions in support of the campaign and that the coalition of supporters now includes the NY City Central Labor Council, the Jazz Ministry at St. Peter’s Church, the Jazz Foundation of America, the NY Labor Religion Coalition and a list of more than 25 other prominent organizations and individuals. Discussion held.

Public Relations and Political Action Director Molloy appeared before the Board for a discussion of political endorsements. Motion made and carried unanimously to endorse William Thompson for New York City Mayor.

Meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.