Executive Board Meeting Number 99-1, Monday 15 February 1999

Meeting called to order at 10:25am. All Officers and Board members were in attendance except Guy Scafati and Rene Barge; Lisa Fox was called out at the last minute.

Minutes of 12/9/98 meeting read and approved.

New member applications since 12/9/98 (9 new and 11 reinstated) read and approved.

Treasurers report: Budget for fiscal 1999 was presented to the board. It was noted that the Local operated at a $16,000 surplus for 1998 and should have c. $35,000 in the FPO escrow account before the next FPO negotiation($12000 has been set aside to date). Ballard mentioned that we should have a "garage sale" fund-raiser or consider a 1-time assessment to get the Local on better financial footing.

Recording Department report presented by Peter Graves. He noted that we were able to get some non-signatory labels to be paid under the Sony signatory agreement, thus enabling Special Payment Fund, etc. contributions for the musicians playing the recording.

Symphonic Department Report by Graves. Paul Frank has met with PBO on a continuing basis; a recognition letter has been sent to management and they have until 2/17 to respond. Only 1 PBO member has rescinded her card. We are requesting letters of support from other orchestras. Graves has had a second meeting with SOA and informed them of the correct Local 655 scales. Graves noted that the pension fund has no record of receiving any payments ever for SOA services. Graves mentioned that we might wish to consider a tiered scale for symphonic services based on orchestra budget, etc.

Under old business, 2 candidates have expressed interest in the office assistant position. We may wish to consider splitting this position into 2 part-time positions to allow for more flexibility.

Workers Compensation rates will increase c. $600 if we reclassify President and VP as business agents rather than office workers and they do not elect to waive coverage.

Coconut Grove Playhouse has decided to contract services on their own and we are discussing a CBA with them.

The Federation has charged us $2,000 in late fees from 1994; we are disputing these charges.

Under new business, Apana mentioned potential bylaw changes to better involve the Executive Board in the operations of Local 655, including have them approve the budget and serve as committee chairs. Graves discussed forming a "leader Corporation" so that leaders could make pension contributions in their own behalf by a method that is less costly than incorporating individually.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:15am.

Executive Board met with Denise Perry and Paul Frank. Frank presented Perry as a potential candidate for a Federation-paid Union Organizer for Local 655. Board voted to engage Perry subject to being able to dismiss her should she not serve our purposes.