Approximately 200 members attended the November 5th candidates' debate at Local 802.

The opening statements by Presidential candidates Mary Landolfi (Concerned Musicians of Local 802) and David Lennon (Members Party) demonstrated their contrasting styles and vision. Lennon delivered a lengthy list of what he viewed as his successes. Landolfi, delivered a concise list of areas where the union needs improvement, and the new polices she would implement. She also reminded the attendees that she was sometimes underestimated due to her soft-spoken manner, but that no one would fight harder and smarter for our union.

Both Lennon and Vice-Presidential candidate Tino Gagliardi repeatedly took swipes at former President Bill Moriarity and Vice-Presidential candidate Bill Dennison for what they described as the “complete failure” of the 2003 Broadway negotiations and strike. For many it was a surprising condemnation of what most viewed as an historic achievement that united Broadway unions for the first time in history, kept the “virtual orchestra” out of Broadway theaters and retained theatre minimums for the next 10 years.

Landolfi and Dennison contrasted that 2003 Broadway outcome with the disastrous 2005 Radio City negotiations and strike. Lennon, as the lead negotiator in those talks, defended the Radio City contract and described it as “a far better deal” than the 2003 Broadway agreement. Dennison said serious mistakes had been made, including taking the orchestra out on strike with no plan to win. He pointed out that the settlement was worse than management’s initial offer. Radio City musicians ended up with pay cuts, benefit losses, elimination of job security and elimination of guaranteed health benefits for.

Landolfi and Dennison also expressed concern that Lennon’s severing of ties with other entertainment unions had been a setback for the union. They pledged to restore those relations. Lennon declared that his relationships with other unions were not damaged; Dennison suggested that Broadway musicians ask members of those other unions what they thought.

There was no doubt in the room that David Lennon was the more combative candidate. He labeled himself a “fighter” and seemed to be spoiling for a fight on any front. It is that very trait that Landolfi and Dennison repeatedly pointed to as a significant factor in the Radio City fiasco- Lennon's "rolling of the dice" rather than careful planning and smart negotiating.

Lennon declared that the “most important issue” in the election was “respect and empowerment of rank and file committees.” That issue seemed to backfire, however, when it was pointed out that he had personally distributed a letter endorsing his candidacy purportedly authored and signed by the four rank and file Lincoln Center Orchestra Committees. In fact the letter had been written by Lennon's supporters and was neither seen nor approved by the committees whose names were signed. Lennon described the letter as “an honest mistake.”

Lennon said his most important achievement had been the more than 30 contracts with “bans on the virtual orchestra.” Landolfi and Dennison noted, however, that none of the bans are with employers who had intended to use the device, and that in the venue most likely to use it, Radio City, Lennon had failed to get a ban.

Lennon painted his three years in office as an overwhelming success. He did not acknowledge the sharp divisions in the union or the fact that a majority of the Executive Board, including both Vice Presidents, had voted for his resignation. He also did not acknowledge the financial problems and investigations that have plagued his term in office.

The final question of the debate came from a Midori teacher, who asked why the candidates had not adequately supported the Midori strike this year by spending time on the picket line. Mary Landolfi, it turned out, was the only candidate who had spent time on the picket line with the strikers. Bill Dennison offered an unequivocal apology for not visiting the picket line. David Lennon and Tino Gagliardi both followed suit, offering apologies for their absence but adding elaborate excuses. Lennon was the officer in charge of the Midori contract.

Presidential candidate Mary Landolfi displayed her competence, trustworthiness, formidable intelligence and tenacity. Her answers and comments were clear and showed a definitive grasp of the issues members face in the coming years. She came across as someone you can trust. Lennon seemed combative and self-congratulatory. He refused to take responsibility for any mistakes made by him or made on his watch, while denigrating his colleagues and the former union’s president.

Vice-Presidential candidate Bill Dennison demonstrated the insight acquired over a lifetime as a professional in the labor movement, and the invaluable institutional memory amassed in 15 years at Local 802. Dennison displayed humility, toughness and multidimensional thinking. His opponent, Tino Gagliardi, came across as earnest but ill-acquainted with the day-to-day operations of the union that fall to the Recording Vice-President.

All in all the two hour debate was a study in contrasts. As Bill Dennison said in his opening statement, “You have a very clear choice.” We hope that all members will vote Tuesday, December 5th and make their voices heard.