Category Archives: Musician Issues

Musicians Issue: Why Pension Matters

Text by by John O’Connor (Local 802, Recording Vice President)

PENSION, YES! Local 802 Executive Board member Bud Burridge and his son Kai at a Local 802 jazz campaign rally earlier this spring. Pension is one of the main demands. Photo: Walter Karling

PENSION, YES! Local 802 Executive Board member Bud Burridge and his son Kai at a Local 802 jazz campaign rally earlier this spring. Pension is one of the main demands. Photo: Walter Karling

It has been said here before, but it bears repeating that the AFM pension remains perhaps the best benefit that our years of collective bargaining with employers offers. And in spite of the fact that the pension payout multiplier has decreased, the fund is projected to be solvent as far into the future as actuaries will measure. Continue reading →

Street Musicans In NY Are In Trouble: Have You Heard of The “Clarification” of Park Regulations?!

Some thoughts by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

Are street musicians different from other musicians, such as jazz, Broadway, western classical or rock musicians? My answer is NO!  A musician is always a musician. You can be “just” an entertainer or a “serious” musician or even being a music activist like me…but we all have the same purpose of doing music either “indoors” or “outdoors” which is to tell stories.

We all do the same job which is customer service. I know of musicians who don’t like street musicians and can’t appreciate their contributions to the community. (I did have this experience when I was playing my saxophone in Central Park three years ago when Lou Reed and Lauri Anderson passed by, and Lou looked at me in a nasty way as if i was “air.”) Some of them feel they’re better than “them.” I can’t accept this attitude which is very disrespectful.

I believe they are as important as any other musicians for the community. Their contribution can be deep as a Coltrane, Beethoven or Jimi Hendrix. They can be as ironic and funny as a Fran Zappa. They can be more sarcastic than the SEX PISTOLS. They can be as critical as a Bob Dylan of the 60s. And they can be as funky as a James Brown.

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Musician Issue: How will the “sick pay law” work for musicians?

Sad-guitarist-by-JenCon-ISTOCK

The new law means that even part-time musicians may earn paid sick time.

Under the new sick pay law, workers will be entitled to up to five paid sick days a year, with the right to carry over unused earned sick days. Sick leave will accrue at the rate of one hour per every 30 hours worked, so even part-time employees will be entitled to sick leave.

Accrual commences upon employment, but sick leave cannot be utilized until 120 days after employment began.

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Event Recommendation For All Musicians in NY: TODAY! May Day – Musicians Union Local 802 AFM and “Justice for Jazz Artists” to March In Solidarity With Labor in NYC

Justice_4_Jazz_ArtistsMusical marchers will gather at Union Square Park and march to City Hall Park; Union urges supporters of “Justice for Jazz Artists” campaign, as well as all who value fair treatment of musicians, to join this lively event!

 

NEW YORK, NY—Wednesday, May 1, 2013: On May Day, the day after International Jazz Day—a yearly celebration of jazz music as a tool to educate, bring peace and open dialogue—the Local 802 AFM union and their “Justice for Jazz Artists” campaign will take to the streets with labor groups to celebrate and advocate for workers’ and migrants’ rights. The yearly May Day celebration—a national holiday in over 80 countries—celebrates the international labor movement.

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Recommended Event: Musicians of NY PLEASE Join the J4JA’s May Day March!

Justice_4_Jazz_ArtistsFAIRNESS. DIGNITY. RESPECT. NOW’S THE TIME!

Join us on Wednesday, May 1st as Local 802 joins many other labor unions and activist groups to celebrate May Day!

We will be there to bring some music to the event, and also to bring our message that musicians are workers too, and we deserve fair pay and retirement benefits!

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