NLRB Ruling Is Right on Key to Musicians’ Ears
Musicians in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Texas can play a happy tune following a Dec. 27 ruling by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) that says musicians in symphony orchestras are employees with the freedom to join unions—not independent contractors.
Members of the Lancaster (Pa.) Symphony Orchestra sought to join the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM) and the union filed a petition for an election. But an NLRB regional director ruled the musicians were independent contractors and thus ineligible for union representation.
The board’s 2-1 decision reversed that ruling and sent the case back to the region for further action. Citing the Lancaster ruling, the NLRB issued decisions the following day that the musicians in the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra and the Plano Symphony Orchestra are also employees with the right to join a union.
For more on the cases, visit the NLRB here and the Bureau of National Affairs’ Daily Labor Report (subscription required) here.
AFM Musicians Talk Career Benefits of Union Membership
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Most of the time here at AFL-CIO Now we deal with serious subjects like workers’ rights, health care, economic inequality to sometimes even wonkish matters such as currency manipulation and corporate governance rules.
But we thought if you are visiting us today in the middle of holiday season and just a couple of days before News Year’s celebrations get underway, we’d give you something different courtesy of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM).
Each month the union’s magazine—International Musician—features one of their better known members who talk about how they got started in the music business and what their union membership means to them.
Violin superstar Rachel Barton Pine told the magazine:
As a home-school assignment, I had to write a paper about the AFL-CIO, and as I was learning about the history of unions in America, I was seeing on a daily basis how the AFM was protecting us. To this day, I feel a sense of solidarity with my brothers and sisters that I’m playing with every night.
300 Join Labor College Fundraising Gala
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Lara Manzione of the National Labor College reports on last night’s “Time to Build” fundraising gala at the college.
Following the first day of the AFL-CIO Executive Council meeting held at the National Labor College (NLC) in Silver Spring, Md., the college hosted a “A Time to Build” gala last night. The gala honored Mark Ayers, president of the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), and the presidents of five entertainment unions: Ray Hair, American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM); Ken Howard, Screen Actors (SAG); Matthew Loeb, Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE); Roberta Reardon, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA); and Nick Wyman, Actors’ Equity (AEA).
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka says he selected the NLC as the location for this Executive Council meeting because “education is such an important part of the future of the labor movement, and a key way for us to transmit labor’s values during a time of change in our economy and our society.”
Help Musicians in Need and Win a Pete Seeger Signed Banjo
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Local 1000, aka the Traveling Musicians Union/AFM, is holding a unique musical raffle to raise funds for musicians in need and to boost organizing efforts. Legendary activist, agitator and American folk music icon Pete Seeger autographed one of his signature long-necked banjos–and for just $20 a ticket, or six tickets for $100, you can have chance to win.
The odds aren’t too bad either because Local 1000 will sell only 600 tickets. (Click here to purchase.)
All the proceeds will benefit Local 1000’s Emergency Relief Fund, which provides assistance to musicians who fall onto hard times due to illness, natural disaster and economic hardship. It will also help fund the local’s organizing efforts to bring union benefits (such as health care and pensions) to working musicians throughout the acoustic music world.
Local 1000 says that the drawing for the Deering Banjo Co.’s Pete Seeger long neck Vega banjo will take place after all 600 tickets are sold and before the end of the year. Check their website www.local1000.com for raffle updates.
Flight Attendants Ratify Contract with Miami Air—and More Bargaining News
Flight attendants ratify a four-year pact with Miami Air, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
AFA-CWA, Miami Air: Flight attendants at Miami Air last week ratified a four-year deal that improves wages, benefits and work rules. The contract comes after three years of negotiations between the Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) and the charter airline.
Machinists Sue S.C. Gov. Haley for Opposing Unions—and More Bargaining News
The Machinists union is suing South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for remarks she made about keeping unions out of a Boeing plant, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
LEGAL ACTION
IAM, Boeing: The Machinists (IAM) is suing South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for remarks she made last month about keeping unions out of the Boeing Co. plant in North Charleston. IAM, which represents Boeing workers in other states, says it’s trying to protect the constitutional rights of South Carolina workers.
NFL Players File Complaint Against Owners—and More Bargaining News
The NFL Players Association charged team owners with collusion to restrict thelr rights, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
NEGOTIATIONS NFLPA, NFL: The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) confirmed it has filed a complaint with a special master, alleging NFL team owners colluded to restrict the rights of players. Meanwhile, NFLPA members are visiting Capitol Hill this week to discuss with lawmakers the potential lockout by team owners and the devastating economic impact it would have on communities. The NFL is able to negotiate lucrative television deals because Congress granted it an antitrust exemption.
AFT-NEA, Minneapolis School District: After 18 months of negotiations, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers (AFT-NEA) reached a two-year tentative agreement with the school district. While the deal provides no raises, it maintains step increases and health care coverage at no additional cost to teachers.
1,300 Public Employees in Wisconsin Back New Pacts—and More Bargaining News
The 1,300 Dane County, Wis., workers approved new contracts effective through 2014, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily, bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
AFSCME, Dane County: The Dane County Board in Madison, Wis., last week approved contracts covering some 1,300 workers through 2014. The members of AFSCME Council 40 had voted on the contracts earlier that week.
Wisconsin State Workers Approve Contract—and More Bargaining News
Some 22,000 Wisconsin state workers approved a new two-year contract, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
NEGOTIATIONS AFSCME, State of Wisconsin: Wisconsin state workers approved a two-year contract that will run through June 2011 if it is also approved by the state legislature. The contract covers 22,000 members of the Wisconsin State Employees Association/AFSCME and includes a wage freeze and 16 unpaid furlough days. The contract will help the cash-strapped state save more than $100 million over the term.
King County Transit Workers Approve Contract—and More Bargaining News
Some 3,800 transport workers in King County, Wash., approve a new three-year contract, and more news from the “Bargaining Digest Weekly.” The AFL-CIO Collective Bargaining Department delivers daily bargaining-related news and research resources to more than 1,300 subscribers. Union leaders can register for this service through our website, Bargaining@Work.
SETTLEMENTS
ATU, King County Metro: Members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587 in Washington State ratified a three-year contract with King County Metro. The contract eliminates 2011 cost-of-living increases for the 3,800 ATU members but reinstates them in the following two years.
WORK STOPPAGES
AFM, Detroit Symphony Orchestra: The first formal bargaining session in nearly two months between the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Symphony Musicians (DSM)/AFM ended with no agreement. DSM members have been on strike since Oct. 4. DSM says orchestra management barely gave bargaining a chance, going instead to the media to mischaracterize a proposal by the musicians.
