May is Labor History Month, chosen to commemorate the international movement for an eight-hour workday and the 1886 Haymarket Massacre in Chicago. We remember the sacrifices that activists have made over the years for safer working conditions, union rights and fair wages. As always, protecting workers’ rights requires constant vigilance, so let me share with you some of the campaigns that Local 802 has on the front burner.

NEW SCHOOL

First, we are fighting unfair downsizing at the New School, which has rejected a plan put forward by faculty to save the school without resorting to cutbacks. Our jazz instructors (who are represented by a Local 802 contract) are working with their unionized colleagues from ACT-UAW to assert their rights. Please see the opinion piece by Local 802 member Arun Luthra in this issue of Allegro.

ROUNDABOUT THEATRE

We are also advocating for proper pay at the Roundabout Theatre, which by rights should fall under the Broadway agreement since it produces Tony-eligible musicals. Instead, musicians are being paid much less. We are on top of this situation and will keep you posted.

TAX THE RICH, FUND OUR FUTURE

Local 802 has joined a coalition of New York unions representing 300,000 workers to call on Gov. Hochul to deliver a budget that taxes the rich in order to fund pro-worker policies. In a joint letter, the coalition wrote that workers need a budget “that reflects their needs, values and dignity — and that guarantees the ultra-wealthy and most profitable corporations pay what they owe.” Read the press release and letter here.

ARTIST HOUSING BILL

Local 802 is supporting the Artist Housing Bill (Local Law 1470) that aims to protect artist-specific housing. The NYC Department of Cultural Affairs has publicly called the affordability crisis a major threat to the city’s cultural community, and we know that unaffordable housing is one part of the crisis. As President Dan Point said, “Musicians and creative workers are the soul of New York City and the engine that drives our tourist economy. Unfortunately, the ongoing affordability crisis is threatening the livelihoods of these vital artists and forcing many to leave, threatening the cultural vitality of our city. The Artist Housing Bill addresses the need for more housing and allows artists to keep creating world-class music and art in the city they love. We urge the City Council to help artists by passing this bill.”

DO NOT WORK ORDER: MASTERWORK CHORUS INC.

This is an official notice that Local 802 has issued a DO NOT WORK order for Masterwork Chorus Inc., which appears on the AFM International Unfair List. The Masterwork Chorus is currently a nonunion ensemble with no contract protections for fair wages, health and pension contributions, job security, recording payments, streaming payments, or other benefits that come with union contracts. Under Local 802’s bylaws, a member can be reprimanded, fined or expelled for performing for an unfair employer. If you get called to play for the Masterwork Chorus (either as part of its Masterwork Chorus Orchestra or as part of another ensemble) please immediately contact the Local 802 Hotline at hotline@local802afm.org. Their next engagement is Saturday, May 16, at Drew University.

IN SUPPORT OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Local 802 President Dan Point and Local 47 President Marc Sazer recently issued the following joint statement in response to Donald Trump’s personal attacks on AFM member Bruce Springsteen: “We can not remain silent as one of our most celebrated members is singled out and personally attacked by the president of the United States. Bruce Springsteen is not just a brilliant musician; he is a voice for working people, a symbol of American resilience, and an inspiration to millions in this country and around the world. From Nebraska to Born to Run, his music has spoken truth to power for decades, and that is exactly what he is doing now. Musicians have the right to freedom of expression, and we stand in complete solidarity with Bruce and every member who uses their platform to speak their conscience. Local 802 and Local 47 will always defend that right.”  See some of our media coverage here.

LIVE ARTS AGENDA

Politico has reported on our joint NY12 Live Arts Agenda that we prepared with Actors’ Equity Association, IATSE Local 1 and AGMA. It’s the first time that Local 802 and our partner unions have joined forces to create a policy agenda like this. The agenda in part outlines “supporting the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, pushing for $1 per capita in federal arts funding by 2028 and enacting protections against artificial intelligence.” For more, see the article in Politico, which was reposted here.

FREELANCE MUSICIANS GAIN A NEW VOICE

The AFM has recognized the Freelance Musicians Association as an official AFM Player Conference with representation at the 103rd AFM Convention in June. “I am excited to announce the board’s unanimous decision to grant player conference status to the Freelance Musicians Association,” said AFM President Tino Gagliardi. “Freelance musicians are the backbone of our Federation. By formalizing the FMA as a Player Conference, we ensure these members have the structural support necessary to protect their standards and strengthen their voice within our union.” As a binational body of working musicians, the FMA is dedicated to improving the economic security and professional standing of those in self-directed and multi-employer work. In collaboration with Federation leadership, AFM Locals, and allied organizations, the FMA provides a structured space for coordination, problem-solving, and collective action. The FMA joins the AFM’s established Player Conferences: the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM), the Regional Orchestra Players’ Association (ROPA), the Organization of Canadian Symphony Musicians (OCSM), the Recording Musicians Association (RMA), and the Theater Musicians’ Association (TMA). Through this recognition, FMA delegates will participate in the 103rd AFM Convention to represent the interests of freelance musicians in the union’s legislative and decision-making processes. For more information on the FMA, visit: https://afmfreelance.org/