Official Business
Regular Membership Meeting
Date: Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at 7:30 PM
Location: Local 655 Offices, 5861 SW 21 St., Hollywood
Agenda: Amendments to the Bylaws. Click here for the proposals, click here for the Bylaw Committee report.
Also on the Agenda:
Discussion of creation of a Benevolent Fund. Alternatives to the Life Insurance benefit are being explored, including a self-funded benevolent fund. Member input will be solicited. Details of potential options will be posted on the website. If you do not have access to the Internet and would like more information, please call the Local at (954) 925-1996 or toll-free at (888) 655-4447. Thank you.
Elections Notice
Elections will be held by mail. Ballots will be mailed to members in good standing no later than October 18, 2003. Please note that Inactive Life Members are ineligible to vote and will not receive ballots. Please contact the Election Committee at (954) 989-5105 if you have questions.
RESOLUTION 1 (submitted by the Executive Board)
Whereas, Professional Theater constitutes a significant portion of the musical activities in Local 655’s jurisdiction; and
Whereas, The membership has directed the Executive Board to create a Standing Committee for Theater Musicians; therefore,
Resolved, That the bylaws be amended as follows:
To add Article XI, Section 1, (i)
Article XI Section 1 (i): Theater Musicians Committee. This committee shall be in charge of reviewing matters of interest to musicians playing theater engagements.
In Article VII, Section 5, to insert “Theater” after “Recording.”
Article VII Section 5. Business Representatives for Casual, Recording, Theater, and Symphony may be appointed by the respective Standing Committee, subject to Executive Board approval.
Bylaw Committee “reports unfavorably” on Proposal 1 because theater does not constitute a significant portion of the musical activities in Local 655’s jurisdiction; and should the need arise, a Special Committee can be appointed.
RESOLUTION 2 (submitted by the Executive Board)
Whereas, The Local wishes to continue to expand the range of services and representation provided to its members; and
Whereas, A decline in Local income has an adverse effect on the Local’s ability to provide such services; and
Whereas, Sufficient funding is required for a strong and effective Local that provides value to its members; and
Whereas, Continuing to fund the Local at subsistence levels is counter-productive to supplying effective services; therefore,
Resolved, That the bylaws be amended to increase membership and work dues as follows:
Article V Section 2. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES
(a) Annual dues for Regular, Student, and
Youth Members shall be $125.00 $140.00 per year, plus the yearly
life insurance assessment.
(b) Annual dues for Life Members shall be $75.00
$90.00 per year, plus the yearly life insurance assessment.
(c) Annual dues for Inactive Life Members
shall be $55.00 $70.00 per year, plus the yearly life insurance
assessment.
Article V Section 3. WORK DUES
(a) Members shall pay work dues on musical services performed within the jurisdiction of the Local as follows:
1. Engagements working under a collective
bargaining agreement: 2.5% 2.75% of scale wages.
Bylaw Committee “reports favorably” on increasing dues for Regular, Student, Youth, and Life Member by $15; and “reports unfavorably” on increasing dues for Inactive Life Members by $15 and recommends that dues for Inactive Life Members instead be increased by $5.
RESOLUTION 3 (submitted by Bylaw Committee)
Whereas, Currently no members working under a CBA pay a disproportionate amount of work dues; therefore,
Resolved, That Article V, Section 3, (a), 1. be amended by striking out “2.5%” and inserting “3%.”
RESOLUTION 4 (submitted by Bylaw Committee)
Whereas, Eliminating the Life Insurance Assessment will ease the burden of the proposed dues increases; and
Whereas, The benefits of the life insurance do not justify the expense to the membership; and
Whereas, Providing life insurance benefits is not germane to the mission of the Local, therefore,
Resolved, That the bylaws be amended by striking out Article XV GROUP LIFE INSURANCE in its entirety, and by striking out any other references to life insurance in the bylaws.
Election Candidate Statements
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
I'm Jay Bertolet and I'm running for President. I've been working in Local 655 for 18 years, primarily as Principal Tuba with the FPO.
I offer three reasons to consider me for President. First, my experience in the symphonic field. On the FPO Orchestra Committee for 10 years, I've participated in contract negotiations, representing working musicians.
Second, is leadership experience. As president of Broward Mensa, I worked effectively with diverse personalities. While I don't yet have much experience in the casual and recording areas, I am quick to learn and adapt.
Lastly, I will commit myself fully as your president.
****
Clifford P. Walker For
President
Proactively
Promote and Build
Since graduating the University of Miami School of Music (1981), I’ve been
proactively promoting musicians.
“Symphonic, Casual, Recording Musicians” - Utilizing my existing contacts and developing new ones, I’ll market Local 655 to buyers including corporations, event planners, condos, festival promoters, labels, etc.
“Build Membership, Become
Stronger”- Increased services and
representation will benefit current members and attract new ones.
“Processing
Contracts” – New technology - PC, Mac
or paper – will greatly simplify payment of scales, pensions and dues.
These are my goals. I look forward to your input. I appreciate your vote.
****
DIRECTOR CANDIDATES
I am a transplanted New Yorker here in South Florida since October 1983. As far as the clubs are concerned, collective bargaining doesn't exist as long as there are musicians who will undercut each other as far as regards scale wage. If the South Florida musicians that have built the club scene down here stop selling each other out and cooperate, we can make a decent living wage. I will do everything that I possibly can to increase our membership and to get the good news out there about the Union and our local and our leadership.
Kevin Jefferson
****
To all Local 655 members:
With the sweeping changes occurring in the Music business, it is imperative that we modernize our approach within the music community as well as with each other. If elected to the executive board, I would like to utilize the Internet to save time and money, expand our list of signatories, and revisit a decent group health insurance plan.
I have a bachelor¹s from the University of Miami in Studio/Jazz and Music Business. I am currently touring with Ricky Martin and have been a session drummer since 1991.
Discography at: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=MISS70308122114&sql=R98049#APPEAR
Lee Levin
****
It’s been an honor to serve you on the Executive Board during these times of opportunity. With the challenges facing us in today’s local and global music marketplace, I hope you’ll allow me to carry on this important work.
As chair of the recording committee, I’ll
continue to pursue these goals: to get more work under AFM contract, offer more
services and benefits to our members, and address some pressing national issues.
I look forward to making this a stronger union for all of our members. I welcome
your input and I thank you for your vote.
Sincerely,
Steve Roitstein
****
Dan Warner is a guitarist in South Florida where he was born, raised and educated at UM Jazz School.
He has performed live with many artists including Mark Anthony, Willie Nelson, David Lee Roth, Barry Gibb, Celia Cruz and Arturo Sandoval as well as six years extensively touring with Julio Iglesias.
Some of his recording credits include Celine Dion, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears, Cristina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Gloria Estefan, Ziggy Marley, Jon Secada, Enrique Iglesias, Thalia, Michael Bolton, Paulina Rubio and Alejandro Sanz as well as many soundtracks, national and regional TV programs and jingles.
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