Studio Beat

I hope this letter finds you well. After the stormy year we’ve all been through, this holiday season gives us many reasons to reflect. My term as President commences on January 1. I look forward to serving you honorably and effectively during the next 2 years. I will also continue as your Electronic Media Rep.

Several months ago, President Cliff Walker told me he would not seek a second term. With the desire to keep Local 655 moving in the right direction, I decided to run for President of the Local. As the deadline for nominations passed, I found out that not only was I running unopposed, but so was Dan Warner, sole candidate for Vice-President, as well as all six candidates for the positions of Director on the Executive Board. The only contested position was that of Secretary-Treasurer. Incumbent Secretary/Treasurer Jeff Apana was opposed by Lee Levin, whom I supported. Despite the fact that Lee lost the election, I pledge to work closely and cooperatively with Jeff as I always have.

Some have expressed disappointment about the lack of member involvement in our Local. They cite thin attendance at membership meetings, committees with insufficient participation, uncontested officer positions, and less than 30% of members voting in this election.

I sense significant fractures in some areas of our music community. The slim margin of victory in our election makes it clear that we have conflicting opinions. Debate of ideas as to what needs to get done and how to do it is healthy. Apathy is not. The more unified we are, the stronger we will be as we continue to seek to improve our situation as professional musicians. But we can never become stronger if we sit back and let others take action and make decisions for us.

I realize that most members only get involved when there’s an issue that directly affects them. But urgent issues threaten us right now, and without active member participation, we cannot flourish. I have many ideas that I want to implement, and I know that our new board will as well. But we need your input. Please contact me with your concerns. I promise that I will do everything in my power to address the issues that are important to you.

It’s been a very busy couple of months in the recording department. In addition to the normal avalanche of paperwork involved in administering the recording sessions in our jurisdiction, a couple of important projects have been receiving a lot of our focus.

 A couple of major recording projects that would have otherwise been non-union were turned around. I was able to help get these sessions covered under AFM single project agreements. This means that the musicians who played the sessions will get their full pension, H&W, and Special Payments associated with these sessions, and they will also be protected for any New Use that may come. This was only possible due to great communication and cooperation with the musicians.

 From October 27 to November 3, I was in New York representing our Local for the Sound Recording Labor Agreement negotiations. We came into the negotiations with the desire to address many proposals from all over the AFM. I am happy to report that our proposals received generous consideration and many of them became AFM proposals that were ultimately presented to the recording industry. Unfortunately, the time allotted was insufficient to complete the negotiations, and they will be continued in early January.   Suffice it to say that I learned a lot, and that every time our Local is well represented at a national negotiation, our profile with the AFM and the industry is strengthened.

 The recording committee is developing some interesting concepts that will involve information and education. The idea is to offer a seminar that will provide a needed service to our members while reaching out to the recording community in hopes of attracting new members. Please contact me to get involved!

 Have a happy and healthy holiday season!

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