October 3, 2006

Dear Colleagues:

We feel these are facts of which you should be aware:

• Local 802 President David Lennon has admitted that over the last 4 years he charged more than $10,000 in personal expenses on the Local 802 American Express credit card without the knowledge of the Executive Board. The final balance was not paid back until early this year.

• His misuse of the credit card has resulted in a Department of Labor inquiry and has cost the union more than $35,000 in legal and accounting expenses. The findings of the DOL have been forwarded to the Justice Department.

• During the Department of Labor investigation, it was discovered that Lennon had also cashed over $1,700 in checks belonging to Local 802. He admitted taking the money and has paid it back.

• As a result of these financial improprieties, and to protect the local from further harm, a majority of the Local 802 Executive Board requested his resignation. Lennon refused. Five Board members, as is their fiduciary responsibility, subsequently filed charges against Lennon to both protect our union and fully recover union funds.

• Lennon retains several supporters on the Executive Board who continue to downplay the seriousness of his actions and have attempted to prevent implementation of a bylaw requiring Lennon (or any future president guilty of financial malfeasance) to make the union whole.

Charges against Lennon will be presented at the October 17th Membership Meeting. It will then be up to the members, as it should be, to decide on how to proceed. We believe it wise for an impartial group of members to investigate the matter and report its conclusions to the members. We hope that you will be able to attend this important meeting.

If you are concerned about the information you have just read and about the fact that some in the current leadership of our union would like to excuse these actions, you’ll be happy to learn that there is an alternative. Early this year a group of rank and file members along with several current Executive Board members and former activists in the Members Party began to meet out of concern for the direction our union was taking. These activists have formed Concerned Musicians of Local 802.

Concerned Musicians of Local 802 is dedicated to restoring honesty and integrity to our union. They have nominated a slate of candidates to run in the December 5, 2006 Local 802 Officers’ election led by Mary Landolfi for President and Bill Dennison for Recording Vice-President. Both are experienced leaders with an unquestioned record of honesty and integrity. We encourage you to learn more about them and to participate in the upcoming election. You can reserve your right to vote by requesting an absentee ballot using the form at the bottom of this letter. The request must be submitted by October 15.

Concerned Musicians believe the Lincoln Center Orchestras are a vital part of our union and that a strong and respected union is important to the efforts of your committee on your behalf. President Lennon's financial improprieties have endangered Local 802. New leadership is required to restore our union's strength and rebuild the relationships we have established over the last 20 years. We believe the Concerned Musicians slate offers a positive vision for the future of our union and candidates with experience, judgment and integrity. These candidates would be happy to meet with your orchestra or any interested group of members. If you are interested, please contact either of us to arrange such a meeting.

Sincerely,

Carol Webb
New York Philharmonic

Steve Norrell
Metropolitan Opera Orchestra