Allegro
Currently Browsing: January, 2005
OCB Declares War on Live Music
802 Rallies Against Company's Use of Machine
The battle to save live music is rapidly turning into an all-out war. In total defiance of its own agreement with the union — and a complaint issued by the New York State Employment Relations Board — the Opera Company
NY Pops Sign Deal
First Freelance Orchestra to Renew Contract
On Dec. 13 the New York Pops signed its new contract with Local 802. As Allegro went to press, the union’s Executive Board had approved the deal, which now goes to the musicians for ratification. This leads the way for
2005 — Onward and Upward
Affordable Housing, Education and 802's Fight to Keep Music Live!President's Report
On Dec. 13, Local 802 testified on behalf of the Hudson Yards Affordable Housing Committee before the New York City Council. As Allegro went to press, the council was holding hearings on the redevelopment of the Far West Side of
Advocating the Power of Community
David Lennon (BM ’85, MM ’86, viola) often hears, “You used to play music — now all you do is fight about it.” As president of the largest local musician’s union in the world, American Federation of Musicians (Local 802),
802 Protests Brooklyn Opera Company
802 in the Press
The following article was posted by the Associated Press on Dec. 15, 2004. A Manhattan concert hall stopped the Opera Company of Brooklyn from holding a planned event there Tuesday evening after a musicians’ union scheduled a protest against the
Labor Debates Its Future — And Ours!
Recording Vice-President's Report
A critically important debate has begun in the union movement about its future, its structure and the direction and focus of its activity in the coming period. The debate has been prompted by the continuing decline in union membership and
Organizing Tales From the Front
Organizing Matters
Perhaps this has happened to you. You’re at a wedding or a big corporate party. It’s in one of those swanky Midtown hotels. All the guests are in their finest clothes. The floral centerpieces are the size of your typical
Meet the Contractors!
John Miller, Jill Dell'Abate and Neil Balm
How do you find work in this town? That’s the number-one question asked by new members of Local 802. As musicians quickly discover, the union’s main mission is to help you improve and sustain your work. We do have a
Lights, Camera, Action!
Making More Movies in New York
When you think of making movies, Los Angeles is the first city that probably comes to mind. But Local 802 hopes to make you think of both Los Angeles and New York. A new City Council bill would create a
Jingle Musicians Win 12% Pension
Printed on page 17 are the new jingle rates (also online in the Wage & Contract section of this site). These are rates that apply to musicians playing on TV and radio commercials, like the McDonald’s theme, “I’m Lovin’ It,”
Prescription Changes!
Attention All Members Who Use the Union’s Prescription Plan
Dear Member: Effective Jan. 1, 2005 the Musicians’ Local 802 Health Benefits Plan will be changing its prescription benefit manager from National Medical Health Card (NMHC) to UlliCareRx/Medco Health Solutions, Inc. On or about Dec. 15, 2004 you should have
Jan 31 is Deadline to Apply for Union Plus Scholarship
For more than a decade, the Union Plus Scholarship Program has been helping students from working families achieve their educational goals. Jan. 31 is the deadline to apply for an award in 2005. Local 802 members, their spouses and dependent
Introducing New Concert Rep
Jacob Heyman-Kantor passed his 90-day probation on Nov. 21 and joins the staff of 802 as concert rep. Prior to coming to 802, Heyman-Kantor worked in the political action department of the United Federation of Teachers and studied labor relations
Lucile Lawrence Fund Seeks Donors
On Nov. 7, a concert in memory of Lucile Lawrence, harpist, teacher and long-time member of Local 802 took place at the Manhattan School of Music. At the concert, the school announced the establishment of a scholarship fund in her
Season of Conscience
Guest Commentary
As we finish up our shopping for the holiday season, let’s not forget Wal-Mart, the worst sweatshop abuser in the world today. Each year, the National Labor Committee runs a campaign during the “shopping season” called the Holiday Season of
When You Shop This Year, Avoid These…
Following are some of the national boycotts endorsed by the national AFL-CIO. The boycotts were instituted by and are conducted by the unions noted in the descriptions. For more information, check out www.unionlabel.org BUILDING MATERIALS & TOOLS Jet Equipment &
Club Date Collections Top $100,000
The Contract Administration Department collected just over $100,000 in missing wages, health benefits, pension and work dues for musicians in 2003 in both the club date and hotel fields. Collection amounts are based on grievance settlements, internal and external audits
Sexy Lawsuits Hog the Press
Local 802 Legal Corner
Why is it that certain lawsuits seem to receive a huge amount of media attention while others do not? This is a question I’ve begun to ask since I have found myself enmeshed in a suit that has received a
Marshalling Your Body’s Intelligence
Alexander Technique for Musicians
In a memorable performance, we know when there is a sense of rightness and ease, when we’re buoyed up by the rhythm, the feel of other musicians or the responsive pulse of the audience. But when we don’t have that
New Year’s Greetings from Friends of 802
Actors, Artists, Athletes and Authors: Happy holidays and best wishes for a prosperous New Year. We’re here for your tax and business services needs all year round. By appointment. 1501 Broadway Suite 1607, NYC 10036. (212) 869-0513. thebizside@aol.com. Actors Federal
Musicians Assistance Program Support Group
COOLING DOWN WHEN THE HEAT IS ON: PERFORMANCE ANXIETY 101 Bewitched, bothered and bewildered… Would you like to learn more about what triggers your own performance anxiety, and get some new ideas about how to cope? Join your peers in
Bylaw Proposal
The following proposal will be voted on at the February 2005 membership meeting Whereas: Local 802 has a mandate from the membership to promote live music and, Whereas: A significant portion of 802 dues moneys has been committed to public
The Musicians’ Voice
The Musicians’ Voice is an open forum for discussion about the state of union affairs. The views expressed here do not express the views of Local 802. Please keep all letters to 300 words and send them to Allegro, c/o
Negotiations Roundup & Grievance Corner
NEGOTIATIONS ROUNDUP Irish Repertory Theatre. A two-year agreement was negotiated with the nonprofit Irish Repertory Theatre (Ciaran O’Reilly, producing director), which is the first long term agreement the theatre has signed with Local 802. Its current show is “After the
Executive Board Minutes
September 28, 2004 -- October 12, 2004
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 Meeting called to order at 11:15 a.m. Present: Recording Vice President Dennison, Executive Board members, Babich, Gagliardi, Giannini, Landolfi, Schaffner, Shankin, Whitaker, Controller Bogert, Assistant to the President Delia and Jazz Advisory Committee Liaison Owens. President
Bill Crow’s Band Room
Joe Wilder is such a perfect gentleman that it often comes as a surprise to anyone getting to know him that he has a devilish sense of humor. In its mildest form, it expresses itself in outrageous puns, but in