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Sign The Petition! Justice for Jazz Artists! |
For the last three years Local 802 AFM has been actively working on a campaign to achieve benefits contributions for jazz artists who work in area clubs.
Jazz musicians who work in NY clubs receive no benefits, no pension or health contributions. Many are forced to retire with no income to fall back on in their later years. Some are forced to go on public assistance. This is shameful in a country that has recognized jazz as a "National Treasure."
Please read on for more details. To assist this campaign please reply to this e-mail and say "Yes! Add my name."(please include your name). Check out Justice For Jazz Artists! on the web for more information. |
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 To New York Jazz Clubs including:
Birdland, Gianni Valenti; The Blue Note, Steve Bensusan; Iridium, Ron Sturm; Jazz Standard, James Polsky; Kitano, Gino Moretti; Le Poisson Rouge, Art D'Lugoff; Smoke, Paul Stash; Sweet Rhythm, James Brown; The Village Vanguard, Lorraine Gordon:
Over the past two years, Local 802 and the Local 802 Jazz Advisory Committee worked hard to convince New York State to eliminate the sales tax on admission to Jazz Clubs. They succeeded with the expectation of State Legislators that the Union and the Clubs would use this tax relief money for the benefit of the performing jazz artists. Like millions of other working people, musicians need the security of a pension. Those of us signed below urge you, the club owners, to work with the union to put this tax relief money to the best use possible. Pension contributions through the American Federation of Musicians and Employers' Pension Fund, on behalf of performing musicians, is not only the best use of the funds, but also a great show of appreciation for those who perform this vital American art form-Jazz!
FOR ALL MUSICIANS - PLEASE HELP!
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Please add your name to this petition calling for justice in the Jazz Clubs. Just reply to this e-mail saying "yes" or send an email to the jazzdept@local802afm.org with your name.
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NEW YORK STATE SALES TAX HISTORY
The sales tax on admission to "musical and theatrical events" was eliminated in 1963 to help resolve benefits issues for those who work in commercial Broadway Theatres. Jazz clubs were not covered by the 1963 tax waiver. In 2007, the waiver of the current sales tax (8.375%) was extended to admission charges to all live music venues, including Jazz Clubs.
HOW TAX RELIEF CAN BE UTILIZED FOR MUSICIANS' BENEFITS
The tax previously paid to New York State would instead be collected, monitored and forwarded to the American Federation of Musicians and Employers' Pension Fund by a Certified Public Accounting Firm, just as it is currently being done for the tax relief extended to Broadway Theatres in 1963.
Band Leader and/or Club would be required to prepare and submit to the union and benefit fund(s) a report containing relevant information about the musicians who performed. The AFM & EPF would credit musicians with the pension contributions proportional to their scale earnings.
CLUB - UNION RELATIONSHIP
The Club would be required to sign an agreement with Local 802 allowing for the tax relief funds to be paid to the union benefit fund(s) on behalf of musicians.
There would be no change in how the Clubs operate their business. Find out more
IMPACT ON CLUBS, BANDLEADERS AND SIDEMUSICIANS
There would be no change in the relationship between the club and bandleader. The Bandleader would be paid by the Club on the same basis as in the past. Likewise there is no change in the relationship between the bandleader and side musicians. Side musicians would be paid in the same way and on the same schedule as in the past.
JUSTICE FOR JAZZ ARTISTS COALITION SPONSORS: Local 802 American Federation of Musicians, Local 802 Jazz Advisory Committee, Jazz Foundation of America, American Federation of Musicians, St. Peters Church Jazz Ministry, Faculty Committee New School University Jazz and Contemporary Music Program, New York City Central Labor Council AFL-CIO, Andy Kirk Research Foundation, Rutgers-Newark Master's Program in Jazz History and Research, Dr. Lewis Porter, Dan Morgenstern, author-journalist Gary Giddins, author-journalist Nat Hentoff (list in formation) | |
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| Make Your Voice Heard Pension News |
Entertainment unions in New York will be lobbying members of Congress on June 25 in Washington DC to achieve Universal health coverage. It's time fo fix our broken Health Care system. June 25th is a Thursday, if you are scheduled to work but would like to join us in Washington you will be eligible for a $100 lost wage payment approved by the 802 Executuive Board. Send an e-mail to 802 Political Directior Paul Molloy pmolloy@local802afm.org to reserve your seat on the bus.
Did you know that you can now check your information on file on the AFM-EPF through the pension fund website? Simply register and enter the site to check and update your information. You'll need a copy of you annual AFM-EPF statement to input the id number on the form.
Sincerely,
802 Notes |
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Associated Musicians of Greater New York
Local 802, AFM 
New York, New York 10036
212 245-4802 Local 802 website | |
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