President's Report
…Certainly not the most interesting subject, but one of critical concern is the idea of the newsletter as our main means of communication. All of our important notices and deadlines are presented in large, bold typeface in an attempt to bring it to your attention. When we have to constantly answer the same questions just addressed in the most recent newsletter, it’s a disservice to your own hard-earned dues. We have a long way to go in improving our service to the membership, but we do make a huge effort to get you the information you need in a timely manner. PLEASE READ THE NEWSLETTER…
…We have been working with the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra for the past year to help them gain a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). We have just reached a major milestone in the process as their management has voluntarily signed a Recognition Agreement that allows Local 655 to sit with management and negotiate a CBA for the first time in their long history. There is still a lot of hard work ahead, but everyone who has taken part in this process should be very proud of their efforts to date…
…Meanwhile, we continue to work with the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra Committee and the Philharmonic’s new Executive Director, Elizabeth Hare, to clean up a number of existing grievances. More importantly, we are working to establish better communications that will create an environment in which the need for grievances (and arbitration) will hopefully come to an end…
…Finally, I want to discuss the new MPTF allotment procedures. We will be competing (friendly of course) with our fellow Locals within the state of Florida. We have been working with the individual leaders to teach them how to do their own paperwork. It now becomes even more critical that each leader understands the process and the mechanics of procuring these funds. We will schedule two workshops at the Local to assist in MPTF procedures. The first will be during the week of May 10-14; please call for specific times…
…We’ll stay in touch; you do the same…
Write reply
Comments must be approved before being published.
