802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: May 14, 2014

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INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY

Protect live music in London! A musical theatre production called War Horse is currently playing on stage in multiple countries. The production in London recently fired its musicians and replaced them with a recording! Let's protect live music everywhere in the world. Please help out these members of the British Musicians Union by clicking here.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR ARTISTS

As a musician, how do you find affordable housing in New York City? How do you know if you're eligible? How can you best prepare yourself to apply? And what does "affordable housing" mean anyway? The Actors Fund presents a free seminar on affordable housing for musicians and other artists, including information on government subsidies and rent stabilization. We will also introduce a new affordable housing opportunity for artists and their families in East Harlem called El Barrio's Artspace PS 109. (See artist's rendering above.)

What: Free seminar on affordable housing for musicians and other artists
When: Wednesday, May 28 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Local 802
To RSVP and for more info, click here

NEW SICK PAY LAW HELPS MUSICIANS

Paid sick days will be a reality for many New Yorkers, thanks to a new city law that went into effect on April 1. The new law is extremely good news for musicians and other performing artists, who, as a result of Local 802's lobbying efforts, were specifically included within the scope of the law. For specific examples of the law will affect musicians, see our story in Allegro by clicking here.

IS YOUR BOW CONTRABAND?

THIS IS AN URGENT CALL TO ACTION FROM THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS!

We need your help with an issue of great importance that may have far reaching negative implications for every member of our union who owns and travels abroad with musical instruments in particular containing African elephant ivory and other protected species.

On Feb. 25, 2014, the federal government issued sweeping new restrictions that prohibit the import or export of African elephant ivory into or out of the United States.

Any person traveling into or out of the United States with a musical instrument that contains ivory is subject to increased border scrutiny and enforcement.

The AFM is working with the federal government, members of Congress and other national partners to address this new threat to musicians' ability to travel unimpeded.

Please take a moment to:

1. Sign this petition

2. Take this survey

Thank you!

FREE ORAL CANCER SCREENINGS
ON THURSDAY, MAY 29 FROM 1 TO 4.
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW FOR MORE INFO.

THE BOOK IS HERE!

The new Local 802 Membership Directory has just been released. Members can pick up a free copy on the second floor of the union building. Or for mail delivery, contact the Membership Department by clicking here or call (212) 245-4802. (You must be an active member to get a directory, so be sure to tell us your union card number.)

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

JOB POSTING

Lehman College of The City University of New York is now accepting applications for the position of College Laboratory Technician for the Department of Music. RESPONSIBILITIES: Maintain equipment and assist students in The Electronic Music Studio. Responsible for all departmental electronic equipment; assist with recording, editing, and archiving department performances. PERFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: B.A. in Music, some teaching experience, and knowledge of jazz guitar are all preferred. Visit our Careers webpage at http://lehman.edu/careers-at-lehman/ to learn more about Lehman. How TO APPLY: Visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information. We are committed to enhancing our diverse academic community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply. We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. EO/AA Employer.

Hearing services for musicians: www.EastSideHearing.com

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Musicians: do you have a legal concern? Click the link below to reach Local 802's lawyer Harvey S. Mars:

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

To respond to this newsletter directly or to give any comments, click here

To reach Local 802 by phone, call (212) 245-4802. For more information on our services and departments, see www.Local802afm.org

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. E-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org for more information.

Local 802 AFM

322 West 48th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-4802

Mikael Elsila is the editor of Allegro magazine and the 802 NOTES electronic newsletter. He can be reached at: Allegro@Local802afm.org

STAY CONNECTED WITH THE MUSICIANS OF THE MET OPERA!

Please LIKE the Met musicians' Facebook page by clicking here!

Follow the Met musicians on Twitter by clicking here!

TRIBUTE TO URBIE GREEN

Join us for a celebration to honor Local 802 member and trombone legend Urbie Green on Wednesday, June 25 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. here at Local 802. Space is limited: please RSVP by June 11 to Bob Pawlo by clicking here, or call (212) 245-4802, ext. 191. Personal greetings to Urbie can be sent by posting to Urbie's tribute page on Facebook. Or send a congratulatory e-mail to Urbie by clicking here. Or mail a letter to Bruce Eidem, re: Urbie Green, 15 Marshall Place, Ossining, NY 10562.

THE APRIL ISSUE OF ALLEGRO IS ONLINE NOW

Great news: Allegro is number one! Our publication won first place for general excellence in its circulation class among all other labor publications in New York City! The annual labor journalism contest is sponsored by the Metropolitan Labor Communications Association.

TAX TIPS FOR MUSICIANS
How do you "depreciate" your instrument to reduce your taxable income? Click here!

This is a graphic of the symbol for health care

LOCAL 802 ANNOUNCES IMPORTANT CHANGES TO ITS HEALTH PLAN

MUSICIANS: GET HEALTH INSURANCE UNDER OBAMACARE?

$30K SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE FOR LABOR STUDIES

The Murphy Institute has launched a new scholarship in labor studies. The scholarship is substantial: up to $30,000 for graduate students and up to $20,000 for undergraduates. Apply now! For more information, click here. (Also, information on a diversity scholarship is available here.)

DO YOU CONTRACT MUSICIANS? IF SO, YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT LOCAL 802'S BRAND-NEW...

CONTRACTOR'S CHECKLIST

Click here to read it now.

CLICK HERE
IF YOU WANT TO HELP KEEP THE UNION STRONG

THE UNFAIR LIST: DO NOT PERFORM FOR THESE EMPLOYERS!

The current AFM UNFAIR LIST can be found here. AFM musicians are prohibited from working for these employers.

HOW OLD IS TOO OLD?

Have you ever lost a gig because your client or bandleader thought you were too old? What can you do about it? Click here to read the article that everyone is talking about, from the February 2013 issue of our union magazine Allegro. Let's blow the lid wide open on one of the most taboo subjects in the music industry: age discrimination. Tell us your story of age discrimination -- or give us feedback -- by sending us a confidential e-mail here .

Have you visited the Local 802 FACEBOOK PAGE yet?

If not, you've missed out on exclusive stories and announcements.

Get special tips, and network with other musicians on our Facebook page. Click here to get started.

ALLEGRO CLASSIFIEDS

Do you want to see the BEST DEALS on used instruments and other services for musicians? Click here to check out the Allegro classifieds. To purchase a classified, click here.

LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

Did you know that there's a housing project for musicians where the rent is only $635 a month? Click here to learn more!

CAN MUSICIANS GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS?

If you are a Broadway musician and your show closes, can you apply for unemployment? Yes. While you are collectingunemployment, can you sub on other Broadway shows, teach lessons, and play other freelance gigs? Yes, but your unemployment check may be reduced.

What if you're a club date musician and your leader or office hasn't booked you on a wedding gig in months? Can you apply for unemployment in that case?

For the answer to that question and more information on musicians and unemployment benefits, click here to read a story written by Local 802's counsel Harvey Mars with the Workers Defense Fund.

WANT TO HELP MUSICIANS, MAKE CONNECTIONS AND HAVE FUN?

Interns at Local 802 make a tremendous impact on the lives of musicians while gaining valuable experience and connections. You or someone you know can help us make a big difference. The union is now accepting applications for interns. Spread the word and click here for more information!

NEED FINANCIAL AID?

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND?

The Emergency Relief Fund helps musicians in need. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a directed grant to the musician's creditors; for example, to a landlord, physician, etc. The eligibility requirements are:

A minimum of two years' membership in the union;
Union membership in good standing, with all dues paid;
"Dire need" as defined by the fund's trustees. This can include: threat of gas, electric or telephone cutoff; eviction; medical debts; costs incurred due to the theft of instruments; auto repairs vital to continued employment; and other emergencies.

To apply, contact the union's social worker Siena Shundi by clicking here or calling (212) 245-4802, ext. 180. Siena can also help you apply for other financial help from sources like the Actors' Fund and other relief organizations.

Click the ad above for info.

JAZZ JAM!

There is a jazz jam on most Mondays at Local 802 (322 West 48th Street), from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Joe Petrucelli at the Jazz Foundation of America at (212) 245-3999, ext. 10, or click here.

DO YOU HAVE MONEY WAITING FOR YOU?

Somtimes the union may have a check in your name, but no way to get it to you because your address is outdated. To see if there's money waiting for you, click here.

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. For more information, click here.

Click the ad above for info.