Tuesday, July 4, 2017

BOLT III

Recently I advocated for Los Angeles actors to bolt the AEA and move forward with a local union that will fairly represent local actors.  Just received this announcement.  Please pass it on to all Los Angeles theatre companies and to all actors whether they are members of Equity.  How AEA can make life miserable for loyal members makes no sense.  Bolt this recalcitrant organization and keep the 99 Seat option open!  The message below is from Pro99 News. Please share and share again!






From: PRO99 News
 
Subject: Action Item: 99 Theatre Co. asks Community to sent Support Letters for NLRB hearing vs AEA

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LA 99 Theatre Co. asks Community for Support Letters for NLRB Hearing vs AEA THIS WEEK

Los Angeles theatre company New Musicals Inc. is asking members of the LA theatre community for letters of support in their upcoming NLRB hearing versus Actors’ Equity Association.  NMI has filed a charge against AEA through the National Labor Relations Board for unfair business practices, and accusing AEA of placing New Musicals Inc. on a “Do Not Work” list without cause.

In a statement provided to Pro99 members, Scott Guy, Executive Director of New Musicals, Inc. said, “The NLRB has requested that we gather some evidence that AEA is threatening or intimidating its members, either directly (with letters, phone calls, or meetings) or indirectly with implicit threats of disciplinary action, fines, sanctions or even expulsion from the union.”

Guy continued, “Our case is, of course, focused on NMI charges, but we sense there’s an opportunity to engage the NLRB’s interest if an alarming number of actors offer evidence.”

NMI will submit the letters as evidence in their upcoming hearing on Thursday July 6th, and is asking they be emailed to admin@nmi.org by Wednesday July 5th. Guy also noted that letters can also be submitted anonymously if people request, and that no email or contact information will be shared with the NLRB.
NMI issued its appeal for community support last week in an “Open Letter to the Theatre Community,” published in Footlights.

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OPEN LETTER TO THE THEATRE COMMUNITY

Source: Footlights
Last week New Musicals Inc. filed a charge against Actors Equity Association through the National Labor Relations Board.  The charge centers upon unfair business practices, accusing AEA of placing New Musicals Inc. on a “Do Not Work” list without cause.
Actors Equity Association is demanding that its members do not engage with NMI, threatening union members with penalties, sanctions and possible expulsion from the union.  By including NMI on a ‘Do Not Work’ list, we feel that AEA is attempting to cause NMI to discriminate against union members, encouraging them to refuse to perform any services for NMI, and requiring its members to cease doing business with NMI.
Actors Equity has contacted a number of actors appearing in NMI’s Fringe shows and threatened them with “disciplinary actions” which presumably includes fines, sanctions and even expulsion from the union.  It’s causing a lot of heartbreaking situations in which actors are being told not to appear in our presentations.  These are wonderful artists with a passion for new musicals, and for them to be frightened away because of their union is just unconscionable.
Our charges also include that Actors Equity Association’s inclusion of NMI on its “Do Not Work” list has resulted in damage to NMI, affecting its commerce, its public reputation, its standing in the Los Angeles theatre community, and its ability to fulfill its nonprofit mission.
As you know, many other membership companies in Los Angeles operate in a manner similar to our Academy Repertory Company, and they have not been placed on the ‘Do Not Work’ list.   We believe that NMI is being treated unfairly and in a manner different from other similar organizations.
You might recall from our previous Open Letter in January 2017 that AEA keeps saying that the reason we’re being denied status as a membership company is that we didn’t apply under the name of the Academy Repertory Company.  We don’t understand this.  Our application included “Academy Repertory Company” right alongside our other dba’s, including the Academy for New Musical Theatre and New Musicals Inc.  You might also recall from that we have requested meetings with AEA to discuss this situation on twelve separate occasions, and AEA has refused a meeting each time.  We don’t know why the union is refusing to meet with us to this clear up.  So we’ve turned to the NLRB for help.
The National Labor Relations Board has notified the union of the charges against it.  As we understand it, the next steps will be for the NLRB to collect affidavits from our staff and colleagues and gather evidence and corroboration of our charges, at which time we can expect either dismissal, settlement or a trial.  We’re hopeful that there will be a swift conclusion to this matter.  We feel we’ve been treated very unfairly, and the fact that Equity has refused to meet with us…well, that just seems wrong.
We reiterate that we cherish all the artists we work with: writers, directors, music directors, stage managers, designers…and especially actors. We welcome theatre artists of every variety, you are all always welcome at the Academy Repertory Company, New Musicals Inc, and the Academy for New Musical Theatre, whether or not you’re a member of a union.
We would welcome your support, comments, and reactions. Post those in social media and send them to admin@nmi.org.  Let us know if you’d like your comments to be private.
In the meantime, NMI will continue its performances at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.  (Search for “1001 Minutes of New Musicals” — that’s us!)
Thank you as always.
Scott Guy, Executive Director
Elise Dewsberry, Artistic Director
John Sparks, Founding Director
New Musicals Inc.
Academy for New Musical Theatre
Academy Repertory Company
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Pro99 News reports on issues affecting the 99-seat theatre community in LA and beyond to Pro99 members and its supporters.  The community is made up of theatre artists, union and non-union, audience members, business allies and community leaders.  Members are encouraged to engage with the community and make decisions for themselves.
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