Local 655 Special Executive Board Meeting to Discuss FPO Contract Concessions, 4 April 2003 at 11:52 am

Meeting called to order at 11:52 am. Present: Graves, Fox, Apana, Ballard, Harp, Luger, Raimondi, Roitstein; absent: Jefferson.

Special Order of Business: President Graves reports that the FPO had requested to open the CBA to negotiate concessions due to extenuating financial circumstances. Graves, the FPO committee, and legal counsel met with FPO management three times. Four proposals were presented, threats of bankruptcy were presented, and response deadlines were imposed by management. Financial records were audited for the union by Ron Bauers. Meetings were held with FPO musicians on April 2 and 3, with musicians voting in favor of ratifying the concession package on April 3. Discussion ensued. Fox departed at 12:15 pm.

Discussion continued. A written copy of the concession package was requested. The Executive Board agreed that there should be Board Member presence at future negotiation sessions, as specified in the Executive Board standing orders, and that the Board should be informed of important or urgent union business in a more timely manner, and that Board Members should show their support in the future by being present when emergency full orchestra meetings are called.

Meeting adjourned at 12:53 pm.

Jeffrey Apana, Secretary-Treasurer