Welcome to the Musicians' Association of Seattle's Political Action & Education page. This page serves as a place for our members to educated themselves about important political issues and how we may achieve our goals.

Part of the process is electing the right people into office, but beyond that we need to hold the people we elect accountable to stand by their word and produce results. Political issues affect not only our jobs and working conditions, but every aspect of our lives. The political process goes well beyond November 4th and major dates on the calendar. It is in the spirit and hope for a better tomorrow that your brothers and sisters practice a true democracy.

As communities, counties, states and a nation we posses that same great power to also inspire change. Unions are communities - Union means everyone.

Together we can create the pro-union and positive working conditions we wish to see!

In solidarity,
Josh Rawlings, Freelance Service Rep for Local 76-493
josh@local76-493.org

News

1/26/09: Senate Bill 5046 and House Bill 1276
(...continued from the Home Page)

The MESSAGE:

Senate Bill 5046 and House Bill 1276 are urgently required for the purpose of allowing musicians their rights to form a union. The bills are in Committee in both the House and Senate.

The legislation provides that the state agency, PERC (Public Employee Retirement Commission)- will function as a 3rd party for purposes of running elections, etc. Currently, orchestra musicians must strike or “work and agitate” for union recognition. Musicians have an almost impossible up-hill battle to win the right to negotiate a contract.

The bill is broadly supported by the Seattle Musicians’ Association, Local 76-493; PERC; the Theatrical Federation of Washington State; the Washington State Labor Council; the King County Labor Council; and Jobs with Justice.

Please support HB 1276 and SB 5046!

(You can send this message in an email, too.)

12/3/2008: Article about BPO in the Seattle Weekly
(share your thoughts in the comments section through the link below)

Article by Laura Onstot:
http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/threadcount/2008/12/no_ones_singing_hallelujah_in.php

11/6/2008: Front Row - City of Music

Mayor Greg Nickels announces a strategy to make Seattle a destination for musicians and music-related business in the coming decade. The Seattle City of Music Vision 2020 was kicked off at a celebration at the Paramount Theater where dozens of music-related entities came together to honor Seattle's rich music history and its ongoing importance in our city's economy and culture.

Link to video: http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=6010839
Link to Seattle Times Article: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008364865_edit08music.html

1) Get the Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra to recognize the Union
Nothing in Federal or State law prevents management from recognizing the Union. Please support the Bellevue Philharmonic Musicians by passing this flier around: http://www.local76-493.org/attachments/unfair_to_musicians_bpo.pdf

2) Write and tell Seattle City Council not to cut the Mayor's Admission Tax Initiative
The Mayor is actively fighting for his Admission Tax which he announced he'd waive for small music venues in the past month. This initiative translates to more money for the clubs and more money for musicians. The City Council is considering cutting it to find money for a short budget. Please write to all the Council Members ASAP telling them to support it?

Here are some good reference points:

Seattle Times strongly endorses the City of Music Initiative and Admission Tax exemption for live music venues
http://seattletimesnwsource.com/html/editorialsopinion/2008364865_edit08music.html

KUOW's one-hour program on the City of Music initiative with callers overwhelmingly supportive of more opportunities for musicians
http://kuow.org/program.php?current=TC

Video recap of the City of Music kick off event with over 800 people in attendance
http://www.seattlechannel.org/videos/video.asp?ID=6010839

Seattle City of Music website
http://www.seattlecityofmusic.org/

Here are the Seattle City Council Member's email addresses:
tim.burgess@seattle.gov
richard.conlin@seattle.gov
sally.clark@seattle.gov
jan.drago@seattle.gov
jean.godden@seattle.gov
bruce.harrell@seattle.gov
nick.licata@seattle.gov
richard.mciver@seattle.gov
tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov