Underneath recent actions by an employer here in Dallas/Fort worth, there has been a campaign which undermines the basic rights of our musicians under federal law, which are set forth principally in Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act:
Employees have the right to unionize: to self-organization, to form, to join or assist labor organizations
To Bargain Collectively through representatives of their own choosing
To engage in Concerted Activities: that is, when two or more employees act together to improve their terms and conditions of employment
These rights are basic rights of employees, and are central to the power we have to advocate for musicians. We also have the right to seek the protection of them through the processes of the the National Labor Relations Board. Please read more about our ongoing fight to oppose this effort of the LCSO to take away each of these fundamental rights.
Annual Dues $135 For 2020
Local 72-147’s annual membership dues are $135 for 2020, if paid in January. Semi-annual membership dues are $70 if paid in January and July. Payments can be made by mail with a check or money order, or you may come by the Union office.
Click here to login to www.MusiciansDFW.org and make a credit card payment. Annual membership dues are due in January. Read More about “Annual Dues $135 For 2020”…
2020 Texas AFL-CIO Scholarships Available
All members or children of members of Local 72-147 are eligible for a scholarship from the Texas AFL-CIO. Applicants must be high school seniors who are planning to attend a university, college, or technical institute in the summer or fall term.
One of last year’s scholarship winners was Maria Ferraro, the daughter of Local 72-147 member, Joe Ferraro. She is now attending SMU, working on a BFA in Dance with a Minor in Arts Management. Read More about “2020 Texas AFL-CIO Scholarships Available”…
The True Meaning of Christmas at the Denton State Supported Living Center
A longstanding Holiday tradition in DFW is the annual Christmas Pageant presented by residents at the Denton State Supported Living Center. Opened in 1960 and designed as a community for individuals with intellectual and developmental difficulties, this Pageant, now in its 43rd year, has become essential in this community’s holiday celebrations. Read More about “The True Meaning of Christmas at the Denton State Supported Living Center”…
Negotiations Finally Begin with LCSO
After months of refusing to negotiate the very changes in the Master Agreement between Las Colinas Symhony Orchestra (LCSO) and Local 72-147 requested by the LCSO initially in April 2019, LCSO Management finally agreed to meet with the Union on October 30 nearly three weeks after the Union forwarded a proposal to Management to settle all disputes. This was an effort to end a lockout created by Management’s refusal to acknowledge the signed contracts of the Winds, Brass, Percussion, Harp and Keyboard (WBPHK) players last September.
At the October 30 meeting, Management made a verbal counter proposal to the Union’s offer, but fell short of honoring these musicians’ signed contracts.
Following this meeting, the Union delivered a counter proposal to Management on 1 November.
In the subsequent meeting which took place on November 7, Management failed provide a counter proposal for settlement.
Certain Benefits Are Protected Under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act
from Pension Fund Notes
December 6, 2019
When the Trustees apply to reduce benefits to try to save the AFM-EPF, some participants have certain protections under current law. If the benefit reduction is approved, benefit payments will not be reduced until January 1, 2021. Following the legal requirements, we will provide individual monthly benefit reduction estimates in the first week of January 2020. However, we know now that many participants will either have no benefit reduction at all, or the size of their reduction will be limited because the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act (MPRA) provides certain protections for age, disability and small benefits. Read More about “Certain Benefits Are Protected Under the Multiemployer Pension Reform Act”…
Oak Cliff Flamenco Festival – “Bishop Arts Barrage”: Thanks to the generosity of the Music Performance Trust Fund, we partnered with Flamenco Fever on their Bishop Arts Barrage event. We provided musicians to two stages that were set up in the Bishop Arts Area of Oak Cliff as people and dancers moved from stage to stage..