Greetings colleagues, from your new Local 655 President, Kendra Hawley! I have played oboe and English horn in several organizations around our Local 655 jurisdiction over the past 9 years, plus two years as a student/freelancer in 2008-10. kendra hawleyI have served as a member and Chairperson of the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra Committee and READ MORE

Our new Executive Board has been installed and had its first meeting last month, and new energy on the Board is apparent. Look for a musician survey to be launched soon, where musicians in the community can give input on what issues need to be addressed. The Board also began filling our standing committees…if you READ MORE

Unions and Professional Athletes A union for professional athletes? Why would someone making huge sums of money need a union? In fact, actors, doctors, performing artists, and athletes are union members in higher percentages than other occupations. Major League baseball players, possibly one of the most exploited groups of workers, began their quest for union READ MORE

The Biden administration has issued new rules aimed to prevent misclassification of employees as independent contractors. The new rule considers six criteria in evaluating employee status. In addition to control over workers and “entrepreneurial opportunity,” the new rule also evaluates whether special skills are required, the permanence of the relationship, and the investment made by READ MORE

The Stage Directors and Choreographers Society has reached an agreement with the Broadway League to have associate directors and choreographers covered under their collective bargaining agreement. The associates were one of the few groups on Broadway not covered by a union contract, and the League granted them voluntary recognition. They will now received health and READ MORE

New, Reinstated, and Resigned members for January 2024: New Members: Reinstated Members: none Resigned Members: Deceased Members: none