Bruce Ridge, Brian Rood, Laura Ross, Michael Moore, Richard
Levine, Matt Comerford,
Paul Gunther, Cathy Payne, Meredith Snow, Mike Okun
(beginning of call)
1. Discussion with Mike Okun – there was discussion about a variety of privileged legal issues.
2. Orchestra Reports
- Chicago Lyric – there has been a call with Bruce and Brian and the committee. Bruce has written a letter to the orchestra that will be distributed next week to the musicians. The General Director has sent a response to the orchestra and supporters regarding The Chicago Reader article Matt sent to Orchestra-L. The GD takes issue with information included in that article. The orchestra is in a ‘play and talk’ at this point although they have had no discussion since late September. Bruce will be unable to visit them in the near future but might be able to schedule something later, if needed.
- Phoenix – the musicians have asked for Bruce’s assistance overseeing a meeting. Bruce recently visited a few months ago so the board agrees that the Local needs to cover his expenses on this visit. Bruce will follow up.
- Others – Bruce and Brian continue to keep in constant contact with Carla Lehmeier about New Mexico. There were also some questions about the status of Detroit and Cleveland negotiations. Atlanta has lost their very competent Executive Director to Philadelphia. Laura reported that Nashville and Michigan Opera Theater are in the process of ratifying the Integrated Media Agreement.
3. Mid-winter prep
- Chris Durham attendance – we will invite him and provide him with an agenda.
- PCC meeting – A meeting of the PCC is being planned, potentially during the same week as the Governing Board’s mid-winter meeting.
4. Senza Sordino
- Questions surrounding new postal rates – if the newsletter is more than 12 pages, it cannot be mailed out in the folded format, it must be mailed flat and significantly increases the cost of postage. There was discussion about retaining content by decreasing font size or leaving some things out.
- Next issue content - Bruce will be writing an article and hopes for an article
from Baltimore about his recent visit. MALs are asked to reach out to orchestras
for information and articles.
There has been a suggestion to include an article/interview about Robert Coleman (first editor of Senza); everyone agreed it is a good idea for a future issue, perhaps the first in 2010.
5. Conductor evaluation program – Michael had previously e-mailed the GB that the evaluation forms are running out and with usage down, what should be the plan going forward? We need to raise this issue at the conference but right now there are enough orchestras that are still participating that we need to re-print more forms. Michael will investigate whether they can print fewer forms and whether we need to use their printer if they insist on printing so many forms.
6. Houston '10 preparations – Michael sent some questions to Eric Arbiter and Lovie Smith-Wright about connections with the Central Labor Council. The board agreed that it would be fine if Michael thinks he should visit Houston.
7. SSD issues
- wage chart meeting – Brian will attend the meeting on October 25. Paul reported that Chris seems very eager to implement the wage chart cost out and comparison program.
- Opus '09 discs – they are still not completed; the contract administrator position is open and being advertised. Brian will follow up when he’s in Chicago to put the files up in a password protected area on the website.
- other – Meredith reported that the LA Opera has voted to apply for membership in ICSOM. They need to contact Laura, as head of the membership committee.
(Meredith left the call)
8. AFM-EPF - The multiplier has been reduced to $1 as of January 1, 2010. The AFM trustees bypassed the arbitration (which is reported would have cost millions of dollars), believing they would have been required to reduce the multiplier anyway. Of additional concern is the prohibition on reducing pension percentages in collective bargaining agreements after October 16, 2009, which may have taken away a key bargaining chip. We will investigate these changes and encourage The Fund to notify participants and employers immediately.
9. Star Wars in Concert – It has come to our attention that there is concern about a Star Wars traveling concert that will replace an AFM freelance orchestra with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic. While we are not sure what ICSOM can do, we support their efforts to protect freelance work in the US.
10. Mark Lindsay follow-up – Bruce, with Paul’s assistance will work on a draft letter.
11. Directory update – Paul reports Richard has done everything to set up the data-entry process. Delegates have been notified that it is time for updates. Richard has discussed the printing and shipping schedule with the printer.
Scheduling of next call: Sunday Nov. 29 @9PM EST/8PM CST/6PM PST