At the membership meeting October 12th, BA Carol Bokun received ratification on the Manhattan Theater Club, Vivian Beaumont and Mitzi Newhouse.  Lisa Lopez was named the new chief usher at the Mitzi and was congratulated by the membership.

At the next meeting Carol will be discussing the American Airlines, Avenue Q and Alice Tully-Avery Fisher Hall contracts.

BA Barry Garfman gave reports on Clearview Cinemas and National Amusements and the Screening Rooms.

Our thanks to all of the members who made the effort to attend the meeting and we hope at our next meeting on November 9th, at 10:00am, we hope even more members will be able to attend.

At the General Membership Meeting of June 8th, Traditional Business Rep. Barry Garfman asked the Body for ratification on the Warner Brothers Contract.  All contracts were ratified.

Theatrical Business Rep. Carol Bokun asked for ratifications for the following contracts and those assembled agreed unanimously:  Disney (The New Amsterdam Theater); Koch Theater; and the IATSE National Benefit Fund Office.  Carol also got a ratification for the Studio 54-Roundabout with 1 member against the ratification, otherwise the vote was carried in favor.

At the Executive Board Meeting of May 24th, Traditional Business Rep. Barry Garfman asked the Board to ratify his contracts for 20th Fox; Lighthouse International; National Amusements; Time, Inc.; and the American Museum of Natural History.  All contracts were ratified.

Theatrical Business Representative Mim Pollock presented a contract with the Foxwoods Theater, formerly the Hilton Theater, for ratification which was unanimous.

Traditional Business Representative Barry Garfman presented a contract with Radio City Music Hall for ratification, which also was unanimous.

President Michael Goucher read a preliminary and incomplete report from Election Judge Rafael Cortes, Sr. on the tally of the counters of ballots.

BA Garfman also reported on the status of National Amusement negotiations.  BA Pollock updated us all on the Broadway League situation and the impending closings of many productions in January.

Nominations of candidates for election to Local 306's 2011 administration led off the proceedings at this meeting.  When nominations were closed, some members complained about the dues requirement and its impact on eligibility to run for office.  Members were informed that the Executive Board had met on this subject one day before the meeting, and voted that strict enforcement would be the order of the day, particularly because the meeting notice quoted these requirements and everyone had been duly notified.  After much discussion, a motion to ratify was put to a vote, and the ratification of the Board's decision won, 31 ayes to 24 nays.

President Goucher appointed R. Cortes to be Election Judge and volunteers to be tellers for the counting were B. Gross and B. Brauer.

Having voted to extend the meeting a half-hour, the meeting adjourned at 12:30.

On Friday, Nov. 5th at 4:30 PM we continued our chronological readings of minutes of E-Board sessions and monthly membership meetings presenting them for discussion and a vote of approval by the members assembled.  We were able to complete up to the month of June.  No other business was conducted, and the 90-minute session concluded at the time limit.  Special thanks to Secretary-Treasurer Hugo Capra for his efforts in preparing for these two special meetings.

Because of special orders of past meetings, readings of our Executive Board minutes and Re-Caps of General Membership meetings fell way behind. 

On Friday, Oct. 29th at 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM we heard minutes chronologically starting from December of 2009.  Secretary-Treasurer Capra read these minutes of E-Board sessions and monthly membership meetings.  Following each reading, discussion and a vote of approval by the members assembled took place.  We continued to early March of 2010. 

As this was a Special Meeting, no other business was conducted, and the 90-minute time limit enabled every attendee to get to work on time.

Our triennial discussion and debate on the compensation of officers was voted upon, setting pay rates and benefits for the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013.  Details will be discussed at the next regular meeting.

Three Amendments to our Constitution and By-Laws were discussed, debated and voted upon.  As none of the three achieved 2/3 super majority, all the amendments failed.

Amendment #1  -  52 YES,  67 NO
Amendment #2  -  62 YES,  56 NO
Amendment #3  -  58 YES,  60 NO

Discussion of the MPMOU Pension Fund default rehabilitation plan, presented for information purposes, resulted in some participants requesting to appear before the Fund's Trustees to offer documented information meant to head off certain benefit cutbacks.  

Theatrical Business Representative Mim Pollock presented for ratification a contract with the City Center Theater which, after discussion and debate was ratified without dissent.

Three proposals for amendments to our Constitution and By-Laws were read and briefly discussed.  They will be discussed and debated in depth at our next meeting.

Traditional Department Business Representative Barry Garfman discussed as much as we know of the potential changes to the Projectionists' Retirement Benefits due to the Pension Fund's current "Red Zone" funding status.  Many discussions regarding reduction in the Early Retirement benefit, and other benefits were entertained.  It was most informative and the feedback received from affected members will be remembered at the next Pension Trustees Meeting.

Bus. Rep. Garfman also modified his position, requested and received by voice vote without opposition a rescinding of the Executive Board's order mandating that vacation weeks belong to the unemployed.  Going forward, the dates of the National Amusement Circuit's digital roll-out will be a determining factor on whether or not the crew of a given multiplex must give vacations to the unemployed.  Vacations already submitted will be given to the unemployed in the manner discussed last time with the crews.

Our next regular meeting will be held on October 13th at 5:00 PM!

2ND READING:  After discussion and debate Constitutional Amendments, one decreasing the Executive Board meeting schedule to two meetings per month and another to increase the Theatrical Division initiation fee to $350, were both passed by more than 2/3 super-majority of members voting.  Tally follows:

Bus. Rep. Garfman updated the situation at AMC.  Barry explained the newly-negotiated contract for two maintenance technicians and the resolved Lincoln Square IMAX projectionists' contract.  After detailed reports on both, the membership ratified both contracts.

Bus. Rep. Garfman explained the re-opened negotiations regarding Symphony Space brought about by the mandatory Red Zone notification mailed out by Projection Pension Fund Administrators.  In order to balance out likely fund contribution increases, the employer sought cost savings in the contract.  After a detailed explanation and an update on the Fund' condition, the Symphony Space agreement was approved by membership vote.

Thanks to all who stayed late and especially to members who volunteered to assist in the ballot counting in connection with the vote on the two Amendments.

Constitutional Amendment regarding complete definition of membership "in good standing" was discussed, debated and voted upon.  The result was 28 for and 10 against; Amendment is adopted and forwarded for approval to I.A.T.S.E. President Matt Loeb.
Contract extension for Avery Fisher Hall theatrical members was explained, discussed and approved by voice vote.
Business Representatives Pollock and Garfman presented their reports, which were approved without opposition.
Two amendments were given a first reading and discussed, but not amended.  They will be forwarded to members in the next meeting notice and presented next meeting for discussion, debate and a vote.
Limited definition was discussed and voted upon for the legal term "cognize" as it pertains to procedures in the run-up to a trial.  The membership voted without opposition to limit "cognize" to only the instructions presented to a plaintiff which are listed in our Constitution and By-Laws, and no review of facts presented, or any other substantial material, is to be considered by the Executive Board members when cognizing charges before them.
Discussion was held on the propriety of creating a membership number.  The membership number is not sensitive or protected by law and is a way of working with member data without revealing identity.  Members approved creation of membership numbers and placement of it on the member card.

 

This well-attended meeting ratified a new Projection Division contract with NY Public Library and approved the  Addendum to the 2006 AMC Contract, adopting identical language to the Regal Circuit Digital Cinema roll-out language.  Theatrical BA Pollock reported on meetings with the League of Broadway Theaters and a vote of confidence was approved for the work she is doing.  The five Amendments to the Constitution were discussed, debated and voted upon by paper ballot.  All failed to achieve the necessary 2/3 super-majority for passage.  Thanks to volunteers Carol Bokun, Betty Gross, Jeff Goldstein, John O'Meara, and Helen Bentley for their service in the tallying of the ballots.

Meeting was held in our Union Hall, opening at 10:07 AM.
Constitutional changes were re-introduced with changes: to out-source the triennial voting process and add two more poll-watchers, cutting Exec Board meetings to two per month at set times, and increasing Theatrical Division's initiation fee, effective July 2010.
Theatrical Business Rep Pollock reported a concluded negotiation of the Manhattan Theatre Club CBA, which was ratified at the meeting. League Contract negotiation meeting was postponed due to the snow storm.
Traditional Business Rep Garfman reported on the Projectionists' Pension Fund situation and stated a caucus of fund participants will be held on March 25th to discuss all matters in depth with the fund's counsel and administrators. 
No old business.
No new business.
Adjourned 12:18 PM