Allegro

MAJOR NEGOTATIATIONS ARE IN FULL SWING

President's Report

Volume 126, No. 8September, 2026

Dan Point
dpoint@local802afm.org

Happy September to all, and I hope everyone had a great summer!

Before I begin my report, I want to encourage you right now to RSVP for the annual NYC labor march on Tuesday, Sept. 8 at 4:30pm. In addition to marching to show our strength as a labor movement, we’re honoring the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by meeting downtown on Liberty between Church & Broadway, just north of Wall Street. Please wear your Local 802 swag and look for the 802 group. We’re going to unite with fellow NYC unions at this critical time for our city, country and world – but our voices are loudest only if you show up!  If you marched with us at Pride this year, you’ve already felt the incredible spirit of Local 802 members coming together to speak out, spread joy and stand strong. Please RSVP now.

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE

Now I’d like to discuss our fall negotiations.

First, as Allegro goes to press, we are tentatively hopeful about a possible breakthrough in our negotiations with the NYC Ballet over the orchestra’s contract. The next few days will prove critical, but we will keep you posted on our Instagram page with the latest updates. As always, nothing is completely finalized until both the musicians and the Executive Board vote on any tentative agreement.

Secondly, our current contract with the Met Opera expires on Sept. 6. Stay posted for more updates.

We are also involved in the following ongoing negotiations:

  • Local 802 club date agreement
  • Argyle Theatre
  • Hoff-Barthelson Music School
  • Roundabout Theatre
  • Perelman Arts Center
  • Children’s Orchestra Society
  • Winterjazz Festival
  • American Ballet Theatre accompanists

In addition, please read Karen Fisher’s column for her report on the AFM player conferences as well as a classical negotiations roundup.

LOCAL 802 BUILDING UPDATE

On June 30, 2026, the Local 802 Executive Board passed a resolution with a timeline for restarting the building project. I will deliver a comprehensive update to the membership on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 5pm on Zoom. Register for the meeting here: www.local802afm.org/sept30.

JOSH GROBAN

As Sarah Haines writes in her column this month, we recently had yet another issue come up with Josh Groban’s touring company, and it was a bit of a tangle. We received anonymous tips that musicians had been contracted for a symphonic concert with Groban at Bethel Woods and were being offered as low as $75 per service. I’m happy to report that we ultimately got the job under contract. Read the full story here.

MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The next Local 802 membership meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 5pm in person. The agenda for the meeting includes a proposed bylaw amendment and the Executive Board recommendation for that amendment. All the information — including how to sign up for the meeting, the bylaw amendment, and the Executive Board recommendation — is posted here: www.local802afm.org/event/oct-7-2026

REMEMBERING 9/11

This year we honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Allegro collected reminiscences from Local 802 members and staff, which you can read in this issue here: www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/911-2026/

LABOR POWER 100

I was honored to be featured in this year’s City & State Labor Power 100. The list includes the top union officials and labor advocates in New York. This recognition is an honor for Local 802 as much as it is for me, because it reflects our union’s power and influence in advocating for musicians throughout New York City and beyond.

MIDTERMS

The midterms are approaching fast (election day is Nov. 3) and Local 802 will be working hard to safeguard our democracy and make sure that pro-union and pro-worker candidates prevail. Please reach out to Chief of Staff Rush Perez to learn how you can help out, and please consider contributing to our political action fund. And please make sure you are registered to vote!

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE