Reach me at altizer@primenet.com
August 28, 1997.
Read the Master Agreement (1994)
2). Article 12(j) Choristers may participate in education/training programs sponsored by AOL without compensation by notifying Dean of their willingness to do so.
3). Article 13 Choristers who have performed in at least four operas in the last two seasons will be entitled to receive at least two offers to perform each season in successive opera seasons. Other provisions of this article remain in effect.
4). Articles 16(a)(1) and 16(b)(1) Between March 1 and June 1, AOC will present Choristers with individual employment offers by certified mail. Chorister will have two weeks from the date of the receipt to respond, or the offer will be rescinded. In the case of certified mail, the two weeks will begin on the date that the Chorister signs the receipt. (This last sentence was not included in AOC's draft contract, but they did agree to this during negotiations. You may state in your ballot that your approval is subject to the inclusion of this provision.)
5). Article 16(b)(2) This paragraph is deleted and the Standard Chorus Contract is modified to include the following: 'If a Chorister agrees to perform in an opera and later rescinds that agreement, he will not be eligible for future offers from AOC unless the reason for withdrawal is a result of: personal illness, illness of a child, parent or mate, death of mate, child or parent, conflict with chorister's principal occupation, AOC changes to the schedule with less than 2 weeks notice, or due to circumstances beyond Chorister's reasonable control such as described in Article 22.
6). Article 17(a)(1) Once a Chorister has signed in for a rehearsal or performance, he cannot leave the premises without specific authorization from and AOC supervisor to leave.
7). Article 17(a)(3) Additional excuse: "Factors beyond the reasonable control of Chorister, such as those listed in Article 22".
8). Article 17(a)(5) A Chorister may be subject to progressive discipline if repeatedly late for or absent from rehearsals without getting excused by Dean. A Chorister may be terminated if late for or absent from performances without being excused by Dean.
9). Article 18(a)(1) and 18(a)(2) The hourly rehearsal rate will be $9.00, $9.50, and $10.00 for contract years 1997-98, 1998- 99, 1999-00 respectively. Per performance rates will be $79, $83, and $87.50 for those years. Rehearsal overtime rates remain at 1.5 times the foregoing rates and performance overtime rates are $8.46, $8.89, and $938 per 15 min. increment. There is no change in when overtime begins accruing for either rate.
10). Article 18(a)(2) Choristers who are 15 minutes or more late for rehearsal, and who have not made prior arrangements with Dean, shall not be allowed to participate in the rehearsal and will not get paid for same.
11). Article 18(a)(3) Payroll dates are formally changed to the 7th and 22nd of the month.
12). Article 18(b) AZ Local must provide AOC with a list of Choristers who will use AOC provided transportation 30 days in advance of travel date. If a Chorister fails to use such transportation after signing up, he will incur a penalty of $25 for each round trip missed, unless the reason for the failure is one of the reasons listed in paragraph 5 above. The $25 penalty will be deducted from the Chorister's pay.
13). Article 18(c) Choristers must indicate in his acceptance of offer of employment which days and what kind of hotel accommodations he will require. Failure to so indicate will relieve AOC from any duty to provide same. AZ Local A440 will provide AOC with a list of roommates, etc. Changes to the list will be Chorister's responsibility to arrange. Those requesting single rooms will have the additional charge deducted from their pay by AOC. If Chorister fails to use the room, a $50 per night penalty will be deducted by from his pay by AOC, unless the reason for such failure is one of the reasons listed in paragraph 5 above.
14). Article 18(f) The travel fee is increased to $90, $95, and $100, respectively, for each contract year.
15). Article 18(g)(1) Choristers required to travel round trip between Tucson and Phoenix within a single day for a rehearsal will receive an additional two hour's straight time rehearsal pay. (This provision was not included in AOC's draft contract, but they did agree to this during negotiations. You may state in your ballot that your approval is subject to inclusion of this provision).
16). Article 18(g)(5) Choristers shall be entitled to a 10 minute break after each 60 minutes of rehearsal time, except during production rehearsal when they shall be entitled to a 15 minute break after each 90 minutes. When rehearsing with the orchestra, the breaks will coincide with those of the orchestra and shall be a minimum of 15 minutes.
17). Article 18(h)(2)(e) AOC is now required (vs. "using best efforts") to maintain rehearsal room temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. AOC must also ensure that the rehearsal space is "adequately ventilated".
18). Article 18(h)(4)(a) Auditions are no longer routinely required for all Choristers at the end of each season; however, AOC retains the option to require auditions for a Chorister "in need of musical improvement" within 1 week after the close of the final chorus opera of each season, but not before February 15 of that season. All auditions must follow AOC's uniform audition procedures and conditions.
19). Article 18(h)(4)(b) If any deficiency noted during an audition is not remedied, the Chorister will receive a second notice of the deficiency no later than December 1 of the same calendar year. If not corrected by February 1 of the following calendar year, AOC will notify the Chorister in writing by February 15 that future offers will not be forthcoming. AOC's decision here will be subject to the grievance-arbitration procedures.
20). Article 21(a) The time for filing grievances is extended to 10 working days or 15 days in case of pay disputes.
21). Article 21(a), Step Two The interim hearing before the Board of Adjustment is deleted (paragraph b).
22). Article 21(a), Step Three Pool of possible arbitrators is expanded. After Step 2 denial, the moving party has 10 days to refer matter to arbitration. (This provision was not included in AOC's draft contract, but they did agree to this during negotiations. You may state in your ballot that your approval is subject to inclusion of this paragraph).
23). Article 23 If either party to the contract wishes to terminate or modify it at the expiration of the contract on 01 September, 2000, notice must be given to the other party within 60 days of expiration date.
24). "Combat Pay". Tucson Choristers participating in the Flagstaff Ring productions shall receive $40.00 for each round trip between Flagstaff and Tucson in addition to all other compensation.
25). Professional Decorum Guidelines The attached guidelines will apply to all Choristers, AOC Management and AOC staff.
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