With humility and a great sense of responsibility, I am honored to present my first report as Local 802’s new Recording Vice President. I was appointed by the Executive Board on July 15, 2025 to finish out the current term. I will also retain the role of political director for the union.

My current front-burner projects include assisting the president’s office with the Broadway negotiations as well as several other negotiations that are either ongoing or starting soon, including the Big Apple Circus, New School, 54 Below, Winter Jazzfest, the John Engeman Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Midori and Friends, to name just a few.

As the officer overseeing our organizing department, I encourage any member who isn’t being paid the wages and benefits they deserve to contact me personally at dpoint@local802afm.org or contact the union confidentially at www.local802afm.org/hotline.

The only way we can help musicians unionize their gigs and win great contracts is by standing together — and especially communicating with each other. As President Suttmann writes in this issue of Allegro, solidarity is our strength. Case in point: our Broadway negotiations are getting an incredible infusion of power by both the AFM and Actors’ Equity, both of whom attended our first day of negotiations. A few weeks later, we showed up for Equity at their bargaining kickoff rally in Times Square (see photo at the top of page) and a few days later, we showed up at their first day of negotiations.

For the balance of my report, I would like to share the remarks I made at Equity’s rally, because this kind of coming together in solidarity is the key for Local 802 to achieve any organizing victories of any kind.

“WHEN WORKERS UNITE, WE WIN!”

My remarks at the Actors’ Equity rally on Aug. 20, 2025

It’s so inspiring to see so many committed working people and labor leaders coming together to stand up for our rights and our future.

We know that workers across all industries today are facing unprecedented challenges. Workers are getting screwed over from rising costs of living and skyrocketing prices for essentials like rent, food, healthcare and transportation. Everything is going up but wages are not keeping pace.

This isn’t just a problem for the few. It’s a problem for all of us.

We have to fight back. We have to stand up and demand the fair treatment, fair wages and dignity that workers deserve.

Even though our work may look different, we all share a common challenge. It’s incredibly hard to sustain a career on Broadway or even in the arts overall.

We’ve all felt that struggle to make ends meet while doing the work that we so passionately love.That’s why fights like these are so vital.

Whether it’s at the bargaining table with the musicians and the Broadway League, or the negotiations that Actors’ Equity is about to commence, what we’re fighting for is simple but essential: a voice in the workplace, fair compensation and dignity for all workers.

Your unions are critical in these negotiations. Our members are the backbone of this industry. The stronger our collective voice, the better our chances of winning the protections and pay we deserve. That’s why union solidarity matters so much.

Our unions are strongest when we stand united as one union across industries and across communities.

Today’s rally is more than just a show of force. It’s a declaration that Broadway creative workers and crews are united in our fight for fair treatment.

We’re here to say that workers — regardless of our specific roles — deserve dignity on the job and the opportunity to make a good living.

We face tough times, but together we have the power to turn the tide. This is a fight for all working people. To those of us in the arts and in every sector struggling to get by: now is the time to stand up, now is the time to speak out and now is the time to fight for the future that we all deserve. Because when workers unite, we win!

Before I sign off this month, two more important things…

MARCH WITH US AT THE LABOR PARADE

We urge you to show the solidarity and strength of musicians by marching with Local 802 in the annual NYC Labor Parade. This year’s theme is Power in Unity. Gather with Local 802 at 9 am on Sept. 6 on East 44th between Fifth and Madison. Please RSVP here.

NEXT LOCAL 802 MEMBERSHIP MEETING & BYLAW RESOLUTIONS

Save the date: the next Local 802 membership meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 22. Details will be posted here once available. The agenda includes bylaw resolutions (click here) and a Local 802 building report.