802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: June 11, 2014

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Photo: Shane Gasteyer

PIG PARTY

Creative jazz rally puts pressure on jazz clubs to do the right thing

Local 802's Justice for Jazz Artists campaign recently staged a creative demonstration and march at the annual Big Apple Barbecue and Block Party, which is sponsored by Madison Square Park Conservancy and receives major funding from Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. The group owns and operates the Jazz Standard nightclub. For the full story, click here.

MUSICIANS NEEDED

NEEDED: Rhythm section players and proficient readers who are former prostate cancer patients for a possible upcoming gig. Call Steve Singer at Local 802 at (212) 245-4802, ext. 156.

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 18 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.

NAVIGATING THE HEALTH CARE MAZE

Are you still confused about the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")? Have you heard about how the Local 802 health plan is changing, but you have no idea what it's about?
Allegro recently published two important articles to answer your questions:

1. Navigating the Health Care Maze, by Renata Marinaro
2. Local 802 Health Plans Get an Overhaul, by Martha Hyde

Also, click on the image below to watch a video explaining the new changes in the Local 802 health care system:

REMINDER: LS1 and Music Service contracts are due by Aug. 15, 2014

IMPORTANT CHANGES:

Please note: Effective Oct. 1, 2014, the Local 802 health plan has undergone major structural changes to comply with the Affordable Care Act. The changes consist of both coverage and costs.
For more information, see the stories above, or click here.

LS1 forms are due no later than Aug. 15, 2014 (for engagements that occurred between Jan. 1, 2014 and June 30, 2014) to be eligible for the Oct. 1, 2014 health benefit coverage period. Please remember to bring in or send in all paperwork, including the signed LS1 form for each separate employer as well as the completed work sheet with all checks. Local 802 advises everyone interested in using the LS1 contract for health benefits to make an appointment to speak with Bettina Covo (212-245-4802, ext. 152) before submitting anything.

IMPORTANT:

Only teaching (private and institutional) and solo/live engagements can be used on with an LS1 (i.e. no theater or electronic media work). Please call to discuss any other exceptions.
Health contributions CAN NOT EXCEED 15 percent of gross wages.
Work dues must be included at the time of submission and you must be a member in good standing (i.e. all past due work dues and membership dues are up-to-date).
Proof of engagement must be included -- copies of contracts, invoices, pay stubs/vouchers, spreadsheets of private students, etc.
No benefits will be processed unless all these criteria are met.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Bettina Covo (212-245-4802, ext. 152).

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!

JOB SEARCH FOR ENTERTAINERS OVER 50

Hear from musicians and other entertainers over 50 who have found meaningful second careers where maturity, life experience and transferable skills have sold them to employers. Learn how and where to market yourself in the current labor market. Thursday, June 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., here at Local 802. Free. No reservations necessary; just show up. For more information, contact Patch Schwadron at (917) 281-5953 or click here.

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.)

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

THE NEXT LOCAL 802 MEMBERSHIP MEETING IS TONIGHT: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 at 5 p.m. at LOCAL 802. There is a bylaw resolution on the agenda: click here to read it.

MET ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS WEB SITE GETS WRITTEN UP IN THE NEW YORK TIMES!

The New York Times hails the MET Orchestra Musicians web site as "a cross between Buzzfeed and Opera News." Visit their web site to sign up for their newsletter, read musicians' profiles, and even discover how opera saved one man and his two sons' lives.

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.

THE MAY 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

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.