Dear Brothers & Sisters,
In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, which would extend expanded unemployment benefits including the extra $600 per week in benefits through January 2021. But the Senate has still not voted on this critical piece of legislation.
The extra $600 per week in unemployment benefits will run out at the end of this month if the Senate does not act NOW. Click below to contact your Senators and tell them to support critical pieces of the HEROES Act in the next COVID-19 relief bill including:
- Extending Pandemic Unemployment Compensation which provides an additional $600 per week that unemployed workers have been receiving since the CARES Act passed in March.
- Preserving healthcare benefits by passing a 100% COBRA premium subsidy for families who have lost access to their employee-based insurance.
- Safeguarding renters and homeowners from evictions and foreclosures.
- Protecting the pensions we have earned by allowing the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) to provide partition assistance to struggling multiemployer plans.
- Increasing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
We would like to create a new section in our upcoming July 2020 edition of Arpeggio. This new section would feature existing Local 77 members, in a similar way the New Member Spotlight section is currently presented (for past newsletters click here). If you or someone you know who is a member in good standing would like to be featured in an upcoming edition of Arpeggio, please email Secretary-Treasurer Antonacci here.
The Emergency Relief Fund Committee (ERF) and the Virtual Music Phestival Committees have been hard at work. The Phestival Committee has been meeting twice weekly, scheduling performers for the Philadelphia Virtual Music Phestival as well as the newly implemented Phamily Concert Series, taking place on Friday’s at 12pm. Additionally, the ERF Committee and ERF Bylaw Sub-Committees have been meeting weekly. The ERF meets to review applications and award grants to members while the ERF Bylaw Sub-Committee is working with the Local 77 Executive Board and legal counsel to prepare the 501(c)(3) documentation. The GoFundMe campaign initiated by the ERF recently passed the $60,000 mark. Only 20% of the Fund has been awarded thus far to Local 77 members in need. If you or someone you know who is also a Local 77 member in good standing are in need of financial assistance we encourage you to apply. Your tax documentation is not required for the process and members can reapply weekly for assistance. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Information on the Relief Fund and the Committee can also be found in our April edition of Arpeggio. Funds are available and all members in good standing are eligible to apply ASAP. If there are any questions about the Relief Fund please contact our office or you can email the ERF directly by clicking here.
In Solidarity,
The Local 77 Executive Board
Other Industry News Updates
David Charles Abell takes over Philly POPS, with face masks and acrylic partitions if that’s what it takes
By Peter Dobrin
The brass and woodwinds are walled behind acrylic panels, the stings socially distanced and wearing face masks. On the stage of an audience-free Met Philadelphia, three soloists and a conductor keep far apart.
SBA opens up new grants and loans for small businesses and independent contractors: The EIDL Program
By Richard Harroch
On June 15th 2020, the SBA announced that it was again opening up its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) grant and loan program. This means that independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers are eligible to receive a $1,000 grant that does not have to be repaid.
Renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can apply for relief through the PA Housing Finance Agency
Starting June 20th, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency will be accepting applications via their website until September 30th.
What does the proposed Wilma Globe say about accessibility in the arts?
By Alaina Johns
When I saw the announcement of the planned Wilma Globe, a two-tiered, circular audience structure that physically divides patrons while offering a view of an in-the-round stage, I wondered if the age of COVID-19 will finally make us agree the accessibility is something everyone should demand.
Nutcracker won’t happen this year, Pennsylvania Ballet says
By Peter Dobrin
In another pandemic-related blow to Philadelphia arts and culture, Pennsylvania Ballet has canceled this year’s production of The Nutcracker. .
