10/01 Message from the President

My Fellow Musicians,

I wish to thank you for electing me President of our AFM Local 655.

The task at hand is difficult but not impossible.  Not just with the current contractual struggles with FGO, but with all the contract negotiations coming up in the near future.  It is time for all the local's members to stand up and be counted.  We all need to unite in support of each other's concerns.

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10/01 Board Adopts Ethics Policy

In recognition of the trust members have placed in their elected Officers, and of the responsibilities Local Officers have toward the membership, the Local Executive Board has adopted a Code of Ethics Policy to help clarify their responsibilities when conflicts of interest arise. The policy is published below.

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10/01 Local Creates Contract Guarantee Fund

The Local 655 Executive Board has adopted a resolution creating the Contact Guarantee Fund, a service to help ensure that local musicians are paid for their work, regardless of if the purchaser defaults.

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10/01 Double Times

Local Issues Several Warnings About Nonunion Gigs

Please be advised that members have issued complaints about the following organizations, which have failed to pay them:

• Disc Jockey Company (Steve Terry, owner, Delray Beach FL)
• Greater Hollywood Philharmonic (Ron Zapen, conductor)

Please also note that the Madison (WI) Chamber Orchestra is in contentious negotiations, and you should contact the Local if you are approached to perform chamber orchestra events in Madison, Wisconsin.

Sunshine Pops Imposes Eight Percent Pay Cut

We have been informed that the Sunshine Pops no longer intends to make AFM-EPF pension contributions for its musicians, effectively giving its musicians an eight-percent pay cut. For a musician performing just one season season, that could result in a loss of over $1000 in pension benefits paid during the course of their retirement years. Also, please note that the Pension Fund has not yet received pension contributions from Sunset Entertainment/Sunshine Pops for most of the 2007-2008 season and will soon be escalating their collection efforts.