Congress says instruments allowed as airplane carry-ons!

802 NOTES: the electronic newsletter of Local 802

This edition: Feb. 8, 2012

Address comments to: 802notes@Local802afm.org

The AFM applauds the passage of the FAA Bill that sets a consistent national policy allowing musical instruments on airplanes.

After five years and 23 short-term extensions, Congress has passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration for the next four years. Included in the bill are provisions that create a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes. Any instrument that can be safely stored in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat may be brought on board as carry-on luggage.

Additionally, the bill sets standard weight and size requirements for checked instruments, and permits musicians to purchase a seat for oversized instruments, such as cellos, that are too delicate to be checked. Existing law allowed each airline to set their own policy regarding musical instruments, and size requirements varied widely for both carry-on and checked baggage. The AFM has been lobbying Congress to enact such a policy for nearly a decade.

To read the AFM's complete press release and for more information, click here.

Have you experienced age discrimination in the music field?

We recently received the following e-mail from a member (it's been edited for content and the name has been removed):

"There is an unwritten fact of life for musicians: 'if you are gray, you are sent away.' I don't believe the union has ever addressed the problem of age discrimination. I was doing 75 or more dates for a leader until about two or three years ago, when suddenly there were no more calls. I was told in confidence by an informed party that the leader simply wanted youthful faces in his bands, no matter that these new faces had no repertoire. The union has to step in, please!"

We'd like to do a story in Allegro about age discrimination. If you've experienced or witnessed any age discrimination or any issues at all concerning age, please click here. We're also interested in what you think the best solutions to this problem might be. All responses will be confidential and we will not print anything without your permission! This is an important area for us to know more about, so your responses are appreciated.

When are you paid for a gig in cash or as an independent contractor, you are losing money out of your own pocket, pure and simple. To be specific, you are losing 7.65 percent in taxes that your employer should be paying on your behalf.

If you make $30,000 per year as a musician, this amounts to a loss of $2,295!

In New York, it's the law that musicians are employees. If you are misclassified as an independent contractor, you're losing out.

Allegro recently published a story about misclassification. Read it here.

Remember, it's your right to be paid as an employee. If you're paid cash or as an independent contractor, call the organizing department at (212) 245-4802 or click here. Let us help you enforce your rights!

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Hearing services for musicians: www.EastSideHearing.com

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Musicians: what if you could solve problem passages and technical challenges using a new technology that lets you see what to fix with your own eyes? You must try this to believe it! Click the ad below for more information and to find out about a special intro offer...

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

Musicians: do you have a legal concern? Click the link below to reach Local 802's lawyer Harvey S. Mars:

Click the ad above for more details. Tell them you saw their ad in the Local 802 electronic newsletter! To advertise, click here.

To respond to this newsletter directly or to give any comments, e-mail 802notes@Local802afm.org

To reach Local 802 by phone, call (212) 245-4802. For more information on our services and departments, see www.Local802afm.org

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. E-mail Allegro@Local802afm.org for more information.

Local 802 AFM

322 West 48th St
New York, NY 10036
(212) 245-4802

Mikael Elsila is the editor of Allegro magazine and the 802 NOTES electronic newsletter. He can be reached at: Allegro@Local802afm.org

ALLEGRO

CLASSIFIEDS

Classic jazz fusion LP's from the 1970's

1966 Selmer Paris MKVI Bb Tenor

Selmer Bundy Eb contra bass clarinet

Double bass and French bow for sale

FOR SALE: 1907 Hawkes concert model double bass

Yamaha YBS-62 bari sax for sale

Hand facings for clarinet and saxophone

I will buy your vinyl records

Psychotherapy for musicians

Learn circular breathing

Ear training and conducting

Acupuncture for musicians

Upright basses, cheap!

Violin for sale

...and more!

These are just some of the many classified ads featured in Allegro each month. To purchase a classified, click here.

NEED FINANCIAL AID?

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND?

The Emergency Relief Fund helps musicians in need. Financial assistance is provided in the form of a directed grant to the musician's creditors; for example, to a landlord, physician, etc. The eligibility requirements are:

a minimum of two years' membership in the union;
good standing, with all dues (annual and work dues) paid;
the musician's needs fall within the guidelines defining "dire need" as set by the fund's trustees. These include gas, electric or telephone cut-off, eviction, medical debts, costs incurred due to the theft of instruments, auto repairs vital to continued employment, and other emergencies.

To seek assistance, members must contact the Administrator and fill out an application which requires proof of need. To apply, contact the union's social worker Cindy Green by clicking here or calling (212) 245-4802, ext. 180. Cindy can also help you apply for other financial help from sources like the Actors' Fund and other relief organizations.

Click the ad above for info.

FREE HEARING TESTS!

Each month, Local 802 offers a free hearing test with a real audiologist. We'll take a baseline measurement of your hearing and more. To find out the next date and to make a reservation, contact Robin Donach by phone only at (212) 245-4802, ext. 101.

For professional hearing help, see the ad from Dr. Ellen Finkelstein elsewhere on this page, or click here.

JAZZ JAM!

There is a jazz jam on most Mondays at Local 802 (322 West 48th Street), from 7 to 9:30 p.m. For more information, call Joe Petrucelli at the Jazz Foundation of America at (212) 245-3999, ext. 10, or click here.

ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH TAX?

As a musician, your employers and bandleaders are legally required to pay their fair share of your taxes. If you're paid cash for gigs, you're losing money -- possibly tens of thousands of per year. For more information, click here or call the Organizing Department at (212) 245-4802.

OUT OF WORK?

If you are a Broadway musician and your show closes, can you apply for unemployment? Yes. While you are collecting unemployment, can you sub on other Broadway shows, teach lessons, and play other freelance gigs? Yes, but your unemployment check may be reduced. For a comprehensive look at musicians and unemployment insurance, click here.

DO YOU HAVE MONEY WAITING FOR YOU?

Somtimes the union may have a check in your name, but no way to get it to you because your address is outdated. To see if there's money waiting for you, click here.

Paid ads in 802 NOTES support your union and keep your costs down. You can advertise here and reach thousands of your peers. For more information, click here.

Click the ad above for info.