Allegro

Executive Board Minutes

December 27, 2005 -- January 24, 2006

Volume CVI, No. 4April, 2006

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2005

Meeting called to order at 11:05 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Babich, Gagliardi, Gale, Landolfi, Shankin, Weiss and Whitaker. Recording Vice President Dennison excused on vacation. Weiss took minutes of the meeting.

President Lennon distributed the minutes of December 20, 2005.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Board member Giannini present at 11:15 a.m.

Lennon reported on a meeting: with representatives of the League of American Theatres and Producers and the Broadway producers of “The Woman in White” regarding the production’s possible designation as a special situation musical under the terms of the Local 802/League collective bargaining agreement. Lennon reported that he advised the League and producers of the union’s position that the production does not qualify and that the issue would be presented to the committee of neutrals as provided for under the Local 802/League collective bargaining agreement.

Jazz advisory Committee Liaison Jimmy Owens present at 11:20 a.m.

Discussion held.

Lennon reported on a meeting with representatives of the League of American Theatres and Producers and the Broadway producers of “The Wedding Singer” regarding that production’s possible designation as a special situation musical under the terms of the Local 802/League collective bargaining agreement. Lennon also reported on the producer’s proposal that 2 actor/musicians be counted as part of their proposed reduced theatre minimum.

Principal Theatre Business Rep Donovan present.

Discussion held.

Donovan excused.

Lennon reported on the status of negotiations with the Metropolitan Opera for a new agreement covering associate musicians.

Discussion held.

Local 802 counsel Mars and Donovan present to present a collective bargaining agreement with City Center covering musicians employed in the Encore Series.

Discussion held.

President Lennon directed Mars and Donovan to address outstanding issues regarding City Center.

Mars and Donovan excused.

Lennon reported that Jamal Ibrahim had been hired to assume the position of MIS director. Lennon reported that Heather Beaudoin has submitted her resignation as Public Relations Director and recommended that she continue to serve as Local 802’s Political and Legislative Director on a consulting basis at a fee of $4,000/month. Sunshine Associates would serve as Local 802’s public relations agent.

Discussion held.

Board members Babich excused at 1:15 p.m.

Board member Giannini excused at 1:20 p.m.

Motion made and carried to retain Beaudoin as Local 802 Political and Legislative Director on a consulting basis at a fee of $4,000/month. Landolfi opposed.

Financial Vice President Blumenthal reported on the status of negotiations with the New York City Ballet.

Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2006

Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice-President Dennison, Financial Vice-President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Babich, Gagliardi, Gale, Giannini, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin, Weiss and Whitaker.

Recording Vice-President Dennison distributed the minutes of December 27, 2005.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Lennon reported that a meeting regarding the special situation status of the Broadway production of “The Wedding Singer” had been rescheduled.

Lennon reported that the trustees of the American Federation of Musicians & Employers Pension Fund had commissioned a new actuarial study that was to be completed not later than October 2006.

Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens present at 11:40 a.m.

Lennon initiated a discussion regarding Broadway contractors.

Discussion held.

Lennon requested a contribution of $250 to the American Guild of Musical Artists Emergency Relief Fund.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Lennon directed the Public Relations Sub-committee of the Executive Board to elect a chair and meet as necessary to prepare a report and recommendation regarding the union’s ongoing public relations work.

Financial Vice-President Blumenthal reported on the status of the New York City Ballet negotiations.

Discussion held.

Management Information Systems (MIS) consultant Jennifer Cronin, newly hired MIS Director Jimil Ibrahim and newly hired Jazz Representative Essie Hayes present.

Ibrahim and Hayes were introduced to the board.

Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2006

Meeting called to order at 12:15 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice President Dennison, Financial Vice President Blumenthal, Executive Board members, Babich, Gagliardi, Gale, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin, Weiss, Whitaker and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens.

President Lennon requested an Executive Session of the board. Owens excused.

Lennon distributed the following motion:

“The undersigned members of the Local 802 Executive Board have become aware of uncooperative and obstructionist behavior and activities by Recording Vice President William Dennison and Executive Board Member and Supervisor Jay Schaffner, which interferes with the efficient operation of the Union, and the ability of the President and the other officers, supervisors, staff, and others ultimately responsible for the successful operation of the organization, to achieve that goal. Moreover, recently, the Recording Vice President William Dennison together with Executive Board Member and Supervisor Jay Schaffner, have engaged in secret, and what we believe to be subversive, activities during the struggle of the Union with the owners of Radio City Music Hall. This behavior and these activities are clearly inimical to the best interests of the Union and the membership. As a consequence, the undersigned have filed charges against William Dennison and Jay Schaffner, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Local 802 By-laws. Effective immediately, in an effort to halt these activities, the undersigned members of the Local 802 Executive Board hereby move, in accordance with our authority under Sub-section (k) of Section 2, of Article I of the Local 802 By-Laws, to remove certain duties and responsibilities from William Dennison, namely supervision of the Recording Department, Single Engagement Club Dates, Hotels, Nightclubs, the Long Island Office, the Local 802 Referral service, the Jazz Department, Music Education, Building Management, Personnel, Legit, Inc., and any other duties that are not specifically set forth in Section 2 of Article I of the Local 802 By-Laws. Until such time as he determines otherwise, said duties and responsibilities shall be exercised by the President, or his designee(s), as part of his overall authority of all departments of the Union. In addition, the Recording Vice President is directed to cease and desist his denigration of the President, and members of his administration, to members and staff. In addition, he shall limit his activities to those duties and responsibilities specifically set forth in Section 2 of Article I of the Local 802 By-Laws. The undersigned further directs President Lennon to take whatever measures regarding the employment of Jay Schaffner, as he in his sole discretion deems appropriate. Dated: January 14, 2006. Submitted By: Jay Blumenthal, John Babich, Tino Gagliardi, Jack Gale, Bobby Shankin, Art Weiss, Mary Whitaker.”

Meeting recessed at 12:25 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 12:40 p.m.

Discussion held.

Giannini present at 1:00 p.m.

Motion passed. Opposed, Dennison, Giannini, Landolfi and Schaffner.

Motion made and carried unanimously to affirm an e-mail poll of board members regarding authorization of a strike by music instructors at Midori and Friends.

Meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.


TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2006

Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: President Lennon, Recording Vice-President Dennison, Financial Vice-President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Gagliardi, Gale, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin, Whitaker, Assistant to the President Delia and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens.

Recording Vice-President Dennison distributed the minutes of January 3, 2005.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

Recording Vice-President Dennison distributed the minutes of January 17, 2005.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as amended.

President Lennon reported that Recording Department Supervisor Schaffner’s access to the Local 802 computer system had been restored as of Saturday, January 21st. He also reported that Recording Vice-President Dennison would retain supervision of the Jazz Department.

Lennon proposed that he call a special membership meeting at which the first order of business would be the charges filed by President Lennon, Financial Vice-President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Babich, Gagliardi, Gale, Shankin, Weiss and Whitaker against Recording Vice President Dennison and Executive Board member Schaffner.

Discussion held.

Board member Weiss present at 11:25 a.m.

Lennon reported on his attendance at a meeting of the AFM International Executive Board, a part of which was also attended by Recording Department Supervisor Schaffner.

Board member Giannini present at 11:45 p.m.

Discussion held.

Lennon reported on a request from Recording Vice-President Dennison for an accounting of the personal use of the Local 802 credit card by President Lennon.

Discussion held.

Motion made and carried unanimously to request a report from controller Milne on all personal use of Local 802 credit cards.

Financial Vice-President Blumenthal reported on a tentative settlement with the New York City Ballet.

Discussion held.

Blumenthal reported that former controller Jon Bogert would be invited at Local 802’s expense to participate in the upcoming audit of Local 802’s finances.

Blumenthal requested the expenditure of $500 to continue a restraining notice and information subpoena on the bank accounts of employer Jordon Belkin and Archer Lyon Entertainment for outstanding wages and benefits owed to Local 802 members.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the request.

Blumenthal distributed correspondence between Music Performance Fund Trustee John C. Hall, Jr. and League of American Theatres and Producers President Jed Bernstein regarding the annual Broadway on Broadway event. (See minutes of September 27, 2005.)

Delia reported on a request from the Broadway producer of “Hot Feet” to allow a tape to be utilized in combination with rehearsal musicians during a 4-week period of the cast rehearsals.

Delia was requested to review the issue with the Broadway Theatre committee.

Blumenthal reported that members of the New York Pops orchestra had voted to perform without compensation at a memorial concert for NY Pops founder and artistic director Skitch Henderson. (See minutes of December 20, 2005.) Musicians who substitute for regular orchestra members would be paid but could contribute their earnings back to the event through a blind account at Local 802.

Meeting recessed at 12:45 p.m.

Meeting resumed at 2:00 p.m. Present: Lennon, Blumenthal, Dennison, Gagliardi, Gale, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin, Weiss, Whitaker, Delia and Owens.

Lennon reported on discussions with Local 802 counsel Mars regarding sections of the Local 802 bylaws applicable to the calling of membership meetings.

Discussion held.

Local 802 counsel Leibowitz, Senior Organizer Smith and Organizer Cage present for a discussion of the Midori and Friends negotiation and strike.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve $20 per hour in strike benefits for those on strike and picketing at Midori and Friends up to a cap of $200 per week per musician. This amount was approved for the next two weeks and was to be paid from the Local 802 Strike Fund.

Mars present for a discussion regarding sections of the Local 802 bylaws applicable to the calling of membership meetings.

Discussion held.

Mars excused.

Lennon excused at 3:20 p.m.

Schaffner reported on the AFM Sound Recording Labor Agreement negotiations held in New York City January 9 through January 13, 2006.

Lennon present at 3:30 p.m.

Discussion held.

Lennon announced that he would call a special membership meeting at 3 p.m. on May 16, 2006 at which the first order of business would be the charges filed by President Lennon, Financial Vice-President Blumenthal, Executive Board members Babich, Gagliardi, Gale, Shankin, Weiss and Whitaker against Recording Vice President Dennison and Executive Board member Schaffner.

Concert Representative Heyman-Kantor appeared before the Board to present an agreement with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players.

Motion made and carried unanimously to approve the agreement subject to ratification by the bargaining unit.

Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.