802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: Oct. 22, 2014

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LOCAL 802's ENDORSEMENTS FOR NOV. 4 ELECTIONS

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and it is vitally important to make your voice heard. Your vote could make a difference this year, especially since there are several very close races in New York. For more information or to help with election volunteering, click here to contact Maya Kremen, the union's political and communications director.

Local 802 endorsements

Andrew Cuomo for Governor

Kathy Hochul for Lt. Governor

Eric Schneiderman for Attorney General

Thomas DiNapoli for State Comptroller

For Congress:

Tim Bishop, 1^st District

Steve Israel, 3^rd District

Kathleen Rice, 4^th District

Gregory Meeks, 5^th District

Grace Meng, 6^th District

Nydia Velázquez, 7^th District

Hakeem Jeffries, 8^th District

Yvette Clarke, 9^th District

Jerrold Nadler, 10^th District

Domenic Recchia, 11^th District (click here for special campaign events with Local 802)

Carolyn Maloney, 12^th District

Joe Crowley, 14^th District

José Serrano, 15^th District

Eliot Engel, 16^th District

Nita Lowey, 17^th District

Sean Patrick Maloney, 18^th District

For State Senate:

Gustavo Rivera, 33^rd District

Liz Krueger, 28^th District

Leroy Comrie, 14^th District

For State Assembly:

Rebecca Seawright, 76^th Assembly District

To help with Local 802's political efforts, contact Maya Kremen at (212) 245-4802, ext. 176 or click here.

ACTION ALERT: Cablevision workers in Brooklyn have asked for help at their rally tomorrow (Thursday, Oct. 23). For all the details, click here.

JAZZ CAMPAIGN IS IN FULL SWING!

Great news from JUSTICE FOR JAZZ ARTISTS! City Council passed a resolution in support of the campaign. And we received endorsements from Dr. Cornel West and Terence Blanchard. For all the latest, click here.

SCANDAL IN ROME!

The International Federation of Musicians reports that, in an outrageous act of cultural vandalism, the mayor of Rome has announced his decision to dismiss all the artists -- 200 orchestra musicians and choir members -- working for the Rome Opera. This decision cannot stand. The international music community will not let politicians destroy a cultural heritage that they have a duty to protect, preserve and develop. Please express your support by signing this online petition here.

FREE FLU SHOTS FOR MUSICIANS

The Actors Fund is offering free flu shots to musicians and other entertainment professionals this fall and winter. Dates and times of the shots are:

Thursday, Oct. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 3 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 14 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The location is the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, 475 West 57 Street (corner of 10th Avenue). Please bring your union card. Appointments are not necessary. For more info, call (212) 489- 1939 and press option 3.

JOIN LOCAL 802 AT A DISCOUNT!

If you have any colleagues who haven't joined Local 802 yet for whatever reason, now is the time! We are waiving our initiation fee for all new members who join the union between now and Dec. 31. Now there's every reason to join the largest and strongest musicians' union in the world. Call the Membership Department at (212) 245-4802 for more information or to join now. PASS ALONG THIS INFORMATION TO YOUR FRIENDS...CLICK THE LINK BELOW!

MUSICIAN ALERTS: BEFORE YOU TAKE THESE GIGS,
GET THE FACTS!

1. If you get called to play with recording artist Jackie Evancho, please click here!

2. If you get called to play with the Miami Symphony Orchestra, please click here!

3. If you get called to play with the South Florida Symphony (formerly the Key West Symphony), please click here!

Will you help the Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund continue its work on your behalf?

Dear musician,

Your donation to the Local 802 Musicians' ERF supports a unique & dedicated safety net, coming to the aid of your brother and sister members in their times of dire need. The ERF was created for musicians and funded by musicians. We are taking care of our own!

Whether the problem is one of serious illness, homelessness, addiction, alcoholism, family & relationship crises, or the sustained loss of income, the ERF and the office of our Musicians' Assistance Program (MAP) are ready to help.

Completely confidential services for members and their families are available at MAP without charge. Money to directly pay doctors, landlords, utilities, and other creditors comes in the form of grants from the ERF.

It takes a lot of cash to make this all happen and the need has never been greater!

Your tax-deductible donation is critical to our mission.

Any amount you may choose is deeply appreciated. Your generous gift to the ERF will be recognized on our list of supporters (with your permission, of course) on the new ERF website.

Please support us now by clicking here. (Or click on this button below:)

You may also send your check, payable to "Local 802 Musicians' ERF" to: Emergency Relief Fund, Attention: Andy Schwartz, Local 802, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036

Thank you,

Andy Schwartz, Fundraising Coordinator

Local 802 Musicians' Emergency Relief Fund

P.S. Are you planning your estate? Will you please consider the ERF in those plans? Contact us to discuss this important legacy gift!

Any other questions on donating to the ERF? Click here to send us an e-mail.

FREE PILATES CLASSES FOR

MUSICIANS!

DEVELOPING BODY AWARENESS THROUGH EXERCISE: Local 802 offers free, ongoing Pilates classes for musicians. These techniques to build core strength and de-stress the body. Being physically fit is key to a long, pain-free performance career.

Whether you stand or sit to perform, your body takes a beating over time. Do you experience a chronically sore back, "stuck" shoulders, a stiff neck, or maybe shooting pains running down a leg? These are among the most common complaints of hard working musicians. These types of conditions tend to get worse, unless you do something. Join us to get a better body, week by week. You'll start feeling the benefits from the first class.

To learn more and register, click here. (We'll give you the times, dates and locations once you register.)

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

TRIBUTES TO MARY WHITAKER

Read our memorials to Mary Whitaker in the October issue of our union magazine Allegro. Click here for our tributes to Mary and here to read an op-ed against gun violence by Local 802 member Dave Fallo.

CLOTHING RECYCLING AND "COSTUME SWAP!"

Just in time for Halloween, the Broadway Green Alliance announces a clothing recycling day and Halloween costume swap! Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Duffy Square. Click here for details.

Click above to watch a video exposing Guitar Center's union-busting tactics

SUPPORT WORKERS AT THE GUITAR CENTER

Workers at the Guitar Center continue to fight to improve their wages and working conditions. Do you work at Guitar Center or know someone who does? Click here to contact a Guitar Center organizer or call (212) 684-5300 to join the campaign. All responses are confidential. Guitar Center is hiring divide and conquer union busters workers are standing stronger than ever. Check out this video that the workers from Chicago put together on the anti-union tactics that Guitar Center used at their store and share it on social media! Thanks for the continued support!

WANT INFORMATION ON HOW OBAMACARE AFFECTS YOU AS A MUSICIAN

Click here to enroll in a free seminar sponsored by MusiCares.

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.

FREE CONCERT AT CARNEGIE HALL!

Enjoy a free concert by the Local 802 Senior Concert Orchestra on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. at Carnegie Hall (in Zankel Hall). Musical director David Gilbert will conduct a program featuring the top musicians in NYC, including a violin concerto performed by Xiao Wang, who is this year's winner of the Waldo Mayo violin competition. The concert includes music by Beethoven, Rossini, Defalla and Richard Rodgers.

There are three ways to get free tickets to the Nov. 16 concert:

*    If you want your tickets in your hand prior to the concert, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Senior Musicians Association, 322 West 48th Street, New York, NY 10036. In a cover letter, please tell us how many tickets you would like, and please provide your contact info, including name, address, phone number and e-mail address, so we may keep you informed of future concerts.

*    A quicker way to reserve your free tickets is simply to call us (see phone numbers below) or send us an e-mail by clicking here. Include all of your contact info and how many tickets you'd like. We won't send you your tickets ahead of time, but you'll be able to pick up your tickets at the box office on Nov. 16, prior to the concert. Please pick up your tickets on Nov. 16 at the box office by 2:30 p.m., which is 30 minutes before the concert.

*    Free tickets will also be available at the box office, right before the concert, while they last.

For more information, please call Gino Sambuco at
(201) 327-3908 or the office of the Senior Musicians Association at (212) 245-4802, ext. 228.

WATCH OUT FOR AUDITIONS ON BROADWAY!

It has come to the attention of the Theatre Department that some Broadway musicians and substitute musicians are being asked to audition for theatrical productions on Broadway. Auditions are not allowed for Broadway shows without the full cooperation and notification of the Local 802 Executive Board. If you are asked to audition for any position on a Broadway show, contact the union immediately. Auditions have only been allowed in the past under very special circumstances after approval of the Local 802 Executive Board and only if the appropriate wages, including pension and health benefit contributions, are made to the musicians involved. Please let us know immediately if you are asked to audition on Broadway. Your anonymity and confidence will always be respected and ensured. Call (212) 245-4802 and ask for the president's office or the Theatre Department.

THE OCTOBER 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!

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.

Also, if you get called to play with Jackie Evancho, the Miami Symphony or the South Florida Symphony, see warning box elsewhere on this page!

CELEBRATING IMAGES OF WORKING AMERICA

Visual artist Ralph Fasanella (1914-1997) celebrated the common person and tackled complex issues of postwar America in colorful, socially minded paintings. Local 802 has several images by Fasanella on display, including some in the Executive Board room. An exhibit of Fasanella is currently taking place at the American Folk Art Museum, through Dec. 1.

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.

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.