News Archives: June 2003
06/16/03 Musicians Receive Strike Fund Benefits
Members of the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra will receive eight weeks of strike fund benefits, courtesy of the American Federation of Musicians Symphony-Opera Strike Fund.
The Florida Philharmonic Orchestra suspended operations and filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy on May 9, leaving 81 musicians, as well as numerous staff personnel, unemployed. The AFM Strike Fund, which was created in 1970 and of which Florida Philharmonic musicians are participants, provides direct payments to musicians in the event of work stoppages such as strikes, lockouts, and bankruptcies.
06/13/03 Local 655 Moves Offices
On June 16, Local 655 officially resumed operations in its new office space. The new location is near Pembroke Road and SR441, just southwest of the former location.
In addition to realizing significant savings in rent, allowing more funds to be spent assisting members and providing numerous services, the new location also has adequate space for hosting membership meetings. Members can now meet in Local 655's new "home" rather than at various locations throughout the Hollywood area, as they have done in the past.
06/11/03 Black Tie Files Union Contract
Local 655 is pleased to announce that a union contract will be filed for the Black Tie July 4 concert. This was accomplished due to the solidarity of Local 655 members, who insisted that a contract be filed before they would agree to perform.
A contract had been filed for the previous Black Tie July 4 concert in 2002. At that performance, there was a dispute over whether a recording had been made and whether additional payments were due to musicians. Local 655 members realize the benefits of the protection offered by union contracts, not only for unauthorized recording, but for disputes over wages and other terms of employment. A filed contract also enables pension contributions to be made to the AFM-Employers' Pension Fund on musicians' behalf.
