ROPARegionalOrchestraPlayers’Association

! ROPAisaplayers’conferenceofsymphonicmusicianswithintheAmericanFederationofMusicians

! ROPAincludesorchestraswhohavebudgetsfrom$500,000to$45million

! Musicianssalariesrangefrom$2,000to$40,000

ROPA! ROPAorchestraspossessadiversemixofemploymentstatus:salariedfull-time,salariedpart-time,per-servicepaywithserviceguarantees,per-servicepaywithnoserviceguarantees.

! ROPAsupportsover5,000Musicians.

! ROPAwasfoundedin1984by24chartermembersandnowhas85MemberandAssociateMemberorchestras.

ROPAMembershipBenefits

InternalCommunication–EmaillistsROPABulletins-updatesoncontractsettlementsNewsletter-TheLeadingTonePlayerConferenceCouncilConductorEvaluationBankNegotiationsandGeneralAssistanceElectronicMediaCommitteeRegionalOrchestraEmergencyReliefFundROPALegalAdvisoryService

ROPAAnnualConference

NetworkingwithdelegatesandorchestramembersOrchestraReportsPresentationsthatarerelevanttoourorchestrasPanelDiscussionsofIndustryIssuesAFMNegotiationWorkshopOpportunitytospeakwithAFMLeadersBrainstormingSessionsUnionStewardTraining

WhydoMusiciansneedaunion?

! UnionsprotecttherightsofMusiciansagainstunfairlaborpractices

! Unionsnegotiatebetterwagesandworkingconditionsthroughcollectivebargaining

! UnionorchestrashaveaCollectiveBargainingAgreementwiththeiremployers

Whatdounionsdo?

Didyouknowthatlaborunionsmadethefollowing36thingspossible?

" Weekendswithoutwork" Breaksatwork(includinglunch)" PaidVacation" FamilyandMedicalLeave" SickLeave" SocialSecurity" MinimumWage" CivilrightActs/TitleVII" 8Hr.workday" OvertimePay" ChildlaborLaws

" OccupationalSafety&HealthAct" 40Hourworkweek" Worker’sCompensation" Unemploymentinsurance" Pensions" Workplacesafetystandards&regulations" EmployerHealthCareInsurance" CollectiveBargainingRights" WrongfulTerminationlaws" AgeDiscriminationActof1967" WhistleblowerProtectionlaws

" EmployeePolygraphProtectionAct" Veteran’sEmploymentandTrainingServices" CompensationIncreasesandEvaluations" SexualHarassmentLaws" AmericansWithDisabilitiesAct" HolidayPay" EmployerDental,life,andvisioninsurance" Privacyrights" PregnancyandPaternityleave" Militaryleave" Therighttostrike" Publiceducationforchildren" EqualPayrightsformenandwoman" LawsendingsweatshopsintheUS

36thingstheUnionmadepossiblecontinued…..

Whatdounionsproduce–Benefits!

Besideshelpwithwagesandworkingconditions,whatelsedoestheuniondoforme?

•  Artsadvocating/lobbyingonlocal,state,andnationallevels•  Localsresolvepaymentissues•  AFMEmployersPensionWelfareFund•  InternationalMusician•  InstrumentInsurance•  Assistancewithemployerissues•  TheopportunitytoworkwiththousandsofMusiciansintheUSand

Canadatoaddressindustryissues•  Helpwithspecialloanrate,legalservices•  Supportfromlocallaborcouncilsandotherorganizations

Askyourselfwhereyourcurrentconditionsandwagescamefrom?

WhygetinvolvedwiththeUnion?Thingsarefine!

" Playersonpastcommitteeshavehelpedtocreatetheconditionsyouareworkingundernow(youmay/maynotevenknowthem)

" Yearsofnegotiatingandhardworkhavetakenplacetogettothispoint

" CBAsdonotwritethemselves

" Youneedtohaveavoiceinthefutureofyourorganization

Nowaskyourself“WhatcanIdotohelptheorchestraIamcurrentlyamemberof?“Answer:GetInvolved!

HowtheUnionHelpsYouatyourOrchestraJob

!  Fairauditionprocess–AFMSymphonicServicesDivisionGuidelinesforAuditions

!  CBAsthatprovidesjobsecurity!  CBAsdesignedtocreateafairandequitableworkenvironment!  AssistancewithenforcementoftheCBA!  Representationifyouhaveissuesthatneedtobeaddressed!  Establishmentandmaintenanceofprofessionalindustrystandards

Remember…

Inaunionyoudon’tstandalone!