Renaissance Orchestras Placed on Unfair List

The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra and the Renaissance Classical Orchestra have been placed on the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) International Unfair List. Members of the AFM are prohibited from rendering musical services to these orchestras. Placement on the Unfair List was requested by South Florida Musicians Association, Local 655 of the AFM.

Claiming that the Renaissance Classical Orchestra is a continuation of the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra, South Florida Musicians Association (SFMA) has filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge against the orchestra with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). On February 7 and 8, SFMA Secretary-Treasurer Jeffrey Apana and Renaissance Chamber Orchestra member Jackie De Los Santos gave affidavits before NLRB representative
Karen Thornton, documenting the relationship between the two orchestras. According to the NLRB, the Renaissance Classical Orchestra will have until approximately February 18 to file a response, and a ruling should follow shortly thereafter.

The Renaissance Chamber Orchestra, led by President and CEO Amichai  Hendel, ceased operations in October of 2005, owing musicians of the orchestra approximately $25,000 in backpay, which SFMA continues to pursue on behalf of the musicians. Hendel resigned as President and CEO, effective October 17, 2005, and on that date he filed with the State of Florida forming a new corporation, Renaissance Classical Enterprises, Inc. The new orchestra, Renaissance Classical Orchestra, has performed or is scheduled to perform eight concerts throughout Florida and Alabama from January through March 2006, concerts for which the Renaissance Chamber Orchestra was originally scheduled to perform.

“Employees have an expectation of being paid for work they perform, and no employer should be able to stiff its employees and walk away, continuing business with new employees, as if nothing every happened,”
says Apana.
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