AFM remarks seem generally insulting, untruthful, defaming and inflammatory.

January 26, 1999

Dear Colleagues of the Tucson Symphony,

We write to you in response to the letter recently sent to us by the AFM. This letter, filled with many inaccuracies, indeed outright lies, is an attempt to discredit the Orchestra Committee. We would like to set the record straight by providing you with facts, not innuendo or falsehood.

In response to the growing dissatisfaction with the AFM from the majority of TSO musicians, the Orchestra Committee set out to find alternatives. Our search revealed that the International Guild of Symphony, Opera and Ballet Musicians was one of the choices available and more musicians supported this option than any others we discovered. After the debacle created by the AFM in closing down our Local we contacted the National Labor Relations Board to see how to proceed.

On September 29, 1998 we spoke with Paul Irving of the NLRB, an information officer who instructed us how to proceed. There are many ways a union may seek to represent employees and one of those is to present management with designation cards.

From day one and continuing to the present the anonymity of the identities of those who signed designation cards has been preserved. We were so concerned with the confidentiality of these cards that they were hand delivered to the hearing officer of the NLRB in Phoenix. At no time has TSO management seen these names. When informed that the committee had these cards in their possession management made it clear they had no interest in seeing the names. Clyde Kunz testified, under oath, to this at the NLRB hearing held on November 24, 1998. His testimony was not refuted by the AFM at the NLRB hearing. If anyone feels they need confirmation of this, you may contact the NLRB Regional office In Phoenix to request a transcript of the hearing. We have protected our musicians from the beginning and continue to do so.

Another charge from the AFM is that some TSO musicians were not fully informed of the process. Don’t you think this a bit insulting? The Orchestra Committee has provided numerous opportunities for musicians to be informed of our choices. Beginning with the October 5, 1998 meeting with representatives of Local #585, a meeting with representatives of the Guild on October 16, 1998 and general orchestra meetings we find it hard to believe that those who signed cards didn’t know what they were doing. Meetings were held with representatives sent by national AFM and written material was also made available. Musicians were free to ask questions and offer their own opinions. Not only is the AFM attacking the Orchestra Committee, they are insulting your own intelligence!

In speaking with our colleagues in other orchestras around the country, all of them have expressed envy that we do have a positive relationship with our current management. In the past this has not been the case and we can assure you that this is beneficial for the orchestra as a whole, and that no one is receiving any personal gain. The AFM continues to hold the out-dated view that management is the enemy. Our management has vision and would like to see this orchestra grow.

We have responded to the wishes of the majority of the orchestra. You cannot please all of the people all of the time, but if the majority asks us to act on something we will. This committee’s goal is to act in the best interest of the entire orchestra, not just a select few.

Each one of us should be asking why is the AFM writing such inflammatory and defaming information about your Orchestra Committee? What are they afraid of? If you still feel that any of your questions have not been answered by this letter, please contact a member of the committee and we will do our best to answer any concerns you have.

Sincerely,

Lindabeth Binkley  Carol Brubaker   Kristine Crandall  Adrianne Grossman  Jacki Sellers

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