New York State United Teachers’ (NYSUT) Emily Allen reports that at one of the most prestigious conservatories for student musicians, where the President lives in a two-story, rent-free penthouse above the school, Union-represented Faculty are currently working under an expired contract with no acceptable agreement in sight. Tense negotiations around a fair deal with the Administration of the Manhattan School of Music and President James Gandre have stalled, leaving the Musician-Teachers of ARTS-MSM feeling disrespected and unappreciated. “We are a family, and to have your family essentially tell you that you are replaceable is an awful feeling,” said ARTS-MSM Union President Adam Kent. Now, the small Local’s broader Union Family is stepping up to show support. Their voices are being amplified by: NYSUT; PSC-CUNY (Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York); American Federation of Musicians Local 802 - the largest Local of Professional Musicians; UCATS Local 3888; and the MSM Faculty Council. “We feel like it’s really a fight, not just for Pre-College Faculty, but for Musicians who live in New York and who are trying to put together their careers,” ARTS-MSM Co-Vice President Adrienne Kim said.

To Directly Access This Labor News Report In Its Entirety, Go To: Broad union support for musician-teachers in Manhattan

And Pictured Above: ARTS-MSM President Adam Kent Rallies With Members For A Fair Contract Outside The Manhattan School Of Music (NYSUT Photo).