Executive Board Meeting Number 00-8, 22 September 2000

Meeting called to order at 10:15 am.  In attendance: Graves, Fox, Apana, Ballard, Barnes; Barge on leave of absence; Bahler and Scafati excused due to previous commitment.  Reading of Minutes and report of new members. MSC to approve minutes and new members.

VP Fox reported that over $757,000 in wages YTD on recording contracts has come through the Local; this summer was a very busy time for recording projects and many were on contract.

Treasurer’s Report: Discussion of depleted financial reserves due to increased legal expenses for FPO negotiations and grievances.

President’s Report: Discussion of FGO contracts and FPO negotiations (copy of latest proposal from management presented to Board); PBO grievance deferred due to appointment of new Executive Director; meetings set with PBO and BPO orchestra committees; SFX has filed NLRB charge and Local is awaiting response; Atlanta Ballet strike has ended.

Old Business: Discussion of FPO potential strike; discussion of financial support from AFM in the event of a strike; discussion of Local 655 operations in the event of a strike. Discussion of Local's liability regarding FPO members playing community tours concerts in the event of a strike. Discussion of long-range financial implications to the Local in the event of a strike; agreement that the Local will not be able to service any members if a strike bankrupts the Local. Discussion of ways to reduce negotiation and grievance costs. Discussion of returning the FPO to OSP. Discussion of opening lines of communication so that the Board, Orchestra Committees, and SSD are all in agreement before actions are taken and that hasty decisions are prevented. MSC to call strike subject to SSD approval of community concerts to be performed in the event of a strike. MSC to request $5000 in aid from the AFM and to cap the amount of this sum used for FPO negotiations (William Thompson consulting fees) to $4000.

New Business: Discussion of Local's obligation to service all members equally; a disproportionate amount is currently being spent on the Florida Philharmonic and this needs to be resolved or it will impact our ability to service other groups such as PBO, BPO, recording and casual musicians, etc. MSC to amend Public Service Scale by adding rates for 2-hour engagement ($70), 4-hour Saturday night engagement ($143), and to require Executive Board approval prior to using this category for non-MPTF jobs. Request for Low Budget Symphonic Scale presented by Gold Coast Opera.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:05 pm.