Frank Martin: “I Feel Blessed” by Alex Walsh Musical News pg 4 May - June 2016 | Vol. 88, No. 3 Thoughts From Your Board... We’re on the for little or no compensation. With the continue in Northen California, I’m track of region- introduction of computerization, ad- certain it will. However, it is impor- alization. I first ministration and communication with tant to understand that the acquisition heard that term the members has become easier. of additional geographic territory when I started does not necessarily translate into to work in Lo- Most of our members are probably more members for the local. cal 6 in 1994. aware of the recent mergers of Locals The idea was 153 and 292 with Local 6. While this is For many of our current members the that this pro- the first experience that our local has consolidation of locals has been wel- In This Issue. cess would al- had with regionalization, what the come as they no longer have to pay Gretchen Elliott, Trustee low for greater members may not realize is that both dues to belong to multiple locals. This Thoughts From Your Board effincincy by of those locals had already acquired requirement had been a common com- Life Member Luncheon Announcement the union in serving its members. In territory from smaller locals through plaint from those members playing spite of all of its efforts to increase its merger. Santa Rosa had acquired terri- the Freeway Philharmonic circuit. Save The Date Announcements membership the AFM hasn’t suc- tory from locals in Napa, Vallejo, and New & Reinstated Members ceeded and it has become increasingly Eureka, and San Jose had acquired ter- With ongoing advances in technology Address Changes difficult to find members interested ritory from San Leandro, Santa Cruz, our local will be able to represent the Frank Martin Article in serving as officers of smaller locals. and Monterey. Though it may be hard membership with efficiency and at a 2015 Financial Report Many of these officers have worked to imagine that regionalization will lower cost to the membership. Members Suspended * * * Members Dropped Not too long workers were giving up their lunch Fighter honked the horn and raised Tempo / Coda Contributions ago I had an hours to ride to the demonstration a clenched fist outside the window. I Advertisements experience and to be bused back in time to return kept wondering why these folks were that made me to their shifts. After asking if I could so excited about their union, when think about the join in, I ran home to change into nicer so many musicians seem less than fact that many clothes, and to put on an AFM lapel thrilled with ours. I don’t have the musicians don’t pin. (I figured that if I was wearing an answer, but I can say that we all need have much en- AFM union pin, I should try to look to make a change. thusiasm where sharp, even though I wasn’t represent- the union is ing anyone other than myself that We need to be excited about making Forrest Byram, Director concerned. day.) music. We need to be excited about I was walking past San Francisco contributing to the well being of the General Hospital, and there were two As workers boarded the bus, there world, and we need to be excited people from the Service Employees was genuine excitement. People were about the chance to stand together International Union (SEIU) holding up happy about getting together to help and help one another. Perhaps that ex- signs that said “Get On The Bus.” It one another. Spirits were high during citement needs to start with each of us turned out that there was a noon time the ride, and even higher at the rally. individually, but I am certain it needs rally at City Hall. SEIU was running A fire truck stopped at the corner to to start. We need to be as enthusiastic two buses from SF General, and many wait for the light, and a union Fire as the folks I saw rallying at City Hall. * * * Recently I gave about the dismantling of the union’s Seattle, and establish a decent hourly an interview involvement in the 1970s, starting rate, as opposed to bands having to about Local 6 with musicians being classified as bring their own audiences, who in Life Members to a reporter on independent contractors and how that turn have to buy a certain amount of Crosscurrents relates to today’s world of Uber and alcohol. Billy Rayford which is a local Lyft. news team at At last year’s summit a noise Paul A. Yonemura KALW 91.7, I have been advocating for improving ordinance that London Breed pushed the oldest NPR their working conditions, and have through, protects existing live In Memoriam station west of met with Jocelyn Kane and Ben Van venues from being sued by wealthy Josephine Gray, Director the Mississippi. Houten at the City Hall Entertainment new residents moving into their Roy Butler and Nightlife Commission. I have also neighborhoods. It also facilitats better I’m a big fan of their programming approached Congresswoman Nancy relations between venue owners Thomas Gayters and had just volunteered for an Pelosi and SF City Supervisor Scott and local residents, giving them the Leo Toscano-Martinez early morning pledge drive. The Weiner about this. We want to conduct possibility of calling the venue owners reporter wanted to know specifically a survey of musicians and venue if there are late night disturbances, Jerry Thomas how our union helps indie and jazz owners as they did in Austin, TX. thus avoiding police involvement. musicians in their efforts to earn a We could instigate musician loading living in the Bay Area. We spoke zones like they have in Portland and * * * I see the union ed and attracting the next generation, is one of the few places in the country continuing the especially for the big three (sym- that has a thriving arts scene. Musi- way it’s been phony, opera, and ballet) and musical cians benefit by union support. going in San theater and getting young players PERMIT NO. 454 PERMIT NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID U.S. POSTAGE Francisco be- interested enough to join; this will I’ve seen close-to-zero participation SAN FRANCISCO, CA cause San Fran- require education toward awareness by the general membership in union cisco is a strong of the benefits of being a member. meetings and board meetings (which union town. are open to members). If people want Our union of- Some of the successes that Local 6 to understand better how the union ficers are busier has had in the past few years are the functions and what good comes of it, Hall Goff, Trustee than ever, and smooth transition in absorbing locals then I encourage them to come to our the strength of 153 and 292, getting the SF Symphony meetings, listen, ask questions, and the Bay Area economy is an indicator contract finished without a work stop- participate. It would be helpful if the of good things happening now and in page or the loss of contractual ground, general membership knew how open the future. With Local 6’s expanded and finishing the SF Opera contract. the union is to all membership who territory it’s even more important that are interested in how it functions. we keep working together, as a union I think a rising tide lifts all boats. With as well as with employers. more union participation there are I am also pleased and proud of the better conditions and higher wages for high level of musicianship I hear I think the biggest challenges for the musicians, our members. But there’s around me constantly, in all realms of Musicians Union Local 6 - 9th Street 116 94103 San Francisco, CA future are keeping audiences interest- more work to be done. The Bay Area music. More thoughts on page 3 Your Trusted Servants... Official Bulletin of Local 6 Officers Musicians Union Local 6 David Schoenbrun, President American Federation of Musicians Kale Cumings, Vice-President Beth Zare, Secretary-Treasurer Beth Zare, Editor Alex Walsh, Managing Editor Board Of Directors Gretchen Elliott, Trustee The Musical News is published bi-monthly by Hall Goff, Trustee Musicians Union Local 6, AFM. Any notice Steve Hanson, Trustee appearing herein shall be considered to be Josephine Gray, Director an official notice to the membership. The Forrest Byram, Director appearance herein of an article or an Attention Life Members! advertisement does not imply an endorsement by the editors. President Emeritus 17th Annual Melinda Wagner Contact Us Life Member Luncheon Staff Tony Orbasido - Recording, Reception (x301) Musicians Union Local 6 Wednesday, August 10 Lori Ponton Rodriguez - Treasury (x304) 116 - 9th Street 1-3pm Joe Rodriguez - Casuals (x306) San Francisco, CA 94103 Nick’s Restaurant Cheryl Fippen - MPTF, Death Benefits (x307) phone (415) 575-0777 100 Rockaway Beach Ave. Alex Walsh - Member Services (x308) fax (415) 863-6173 Pacifica, CA [email protected] Area-Wide Casual Wage Scale www.afm6.org Committee We are pleased to announce that our 17th Annual Life Member Lisa Sanchez, Chair Office Hours Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, August 10th at Nick’s Ray Buyco Monday - Friday Restaurant in Pacifica, CA. As in years past, only life members Gigi Dang 10:00 am - 4:00 pm in good standing will receive an invitation to this popular event. Michael Hatfield Invitations are mailed in late June or early July. To be included Jeanette Isenberg in the mailing, if you are one of the more than 20 life members Rob Gibson whose name appears on the suspended list printed in this Jim Zimmerman Schedule newsletter, please pay your dues as soon as possible.