Monthly Archives: February 2016

Recent News

Record Number of Workers Identified as Contractors

For the second year in a row, the Louisiana Workforce Commission identified a record 19,956 workers that employers misclassified as independent contractors in 2015. The agency also found employers had more than $50 million in unreported taxable wages and about $1.5 million in unreported and unpaid unemployment insurance taxes.

The National Employment Law Project says the practice of classifying employees as independent contractors robs workers of legal protection and unemployment and workers’ compensation insurance funds of billions of dollars each year. According to the LA commission, misclassification hurts employers who play by the rules, putting them at a competitive disadvantage. Employers who misclassify workers as contractors can cut nearly 30% in payroll and related taxes that would otherwise be paid for employees. The practice is widespread, but occurs most frequently in construction, leisure, and hospitality.

Recent News

Lawsuits Claim Disney Colluded to Replace US Workers

Before being laid off from Walt Disney World, Orlando, one year ago, Leo Perrero spent months training a temporary immigrant from India to do his technology job. Along with former Disney employee Dena Moore, he has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Disney and two global consulting companies, HCL and Cognizant, which brought in foreign workers. The lawsuits represent the first time Americans have gone to federal court to sue both outsourcing companies and the American company that contracted with those businesses, alleging they collaborated intentionally to supplant Americans with H-1B workers.

The Labor Department is investigating the outsourcing at Disney, as well as at Southern California Edison, a utility that laid off hundreds of American workers in 2014. At least 30 former Disney workers filed complaints with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming that they faced discrimination as American citizens.

Recent News

Canadian Unions Celebrate Repeal of Bills C-377 and C-525

Last week, Canadian unions celebrated as the federal government tabled legislation to repeal controversial bills C-377 and C-525. The bills forced redundant and unreasonable financial reporting on unions, making it more difficult for Canadians in federally-regulated workplaces to join a unions.

“This proves what we’ve been saying all along: that these bills were nothing more than an attempt to undermine unions’ ability to do important work like protecting jobs, promoting health and safety in the workplace, and advocating on behalf of all Canadian workers,” says Canadian Labour Congress president Hassan Yussuff. “We are pleased that this new government recognizes the importance of fair labour relations, and supports the role of unions in the workplace.”

Bill C-377 was pushed through Parliament by the former Conservative government in June 2015 despite loud opposition from many different groups, including the NHL Players Association, Conservative and Liberal senators, constitutional experts, Canada’s privacy commissioner, the Canadian Bar Association and the insurance and mutual fund industry. The Liberal government took control this fall and promised to repeal both bills.

Books-Resources, Products

Music Business for Dummies

Whether you are just starting out or have paid your dues and haven’t gotten the success you’ve always hoped for, industry expert Loren Weisman has tips for getting you on the right track. Music Business for Dummies will show you how to better navigate the music business; follow a plan to build a successful career; and create a brand that stands out to fans and industry professionals. Music publishing, contracts, copyrights, and licensing are carefully explained.

Music Business for Dummies, by Loren Weisman, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (www.wiley.com).

Books-Resources, Products

The Lighthouse Omnibook: David Liebman & Steve Grossman Transcribed from Elvin Jones’ Live at the Lighthouse

“The Live at the Lighthouse date was one of the most exciting nights of my musical life. The energy and enthusiasm of a working band consisting of three young musicians with one of the greatest masters of all time was for all of us a once in a lifetime event that we will never forget,” said David Liebman. This book of solo transcriptions was created by Norwegian saxophonist Petter Wettre from the lead sheets to the evening that featured leader/drummer Elvin Jones with saxophonists Steve Grossman and David Liebman, and bassist Gene Perla of Local 802 (New York City).

The Lighthouse Omnibook: David Liebman & Steve Grossman Transcribed from Elvin Jones’ Live at the
Lighthouse, transcribed by Petter Wettre (www.lighthouseomnibook.com).

Books-Resources, Products

The Pensado Papers: The Rise of Visionary Online television Sensation Pensado’s Place

The www.pensadosplace.com website, is home to the popular online television program Pensado’s Place. On the show recording guru Dave Pensado, who’s worked with Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Beyoncé, Jill Scott, Elton John, and more, and visionary manager Herb Trawick (Brian McKnight, Maurice White, and more) discuss a never-ending stream of topics related to audio recording and the music business. This book gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the friendship and creative philosophy of Pensado and Trawick. It includes audio recording techniques, tips, and truths, all presented with humor and insight.

The Pensado Papers: The Rise of Visionary Online Television Sensation Pensado’s Place, by Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick, with Maureen Droney, Hal Leonard Corporation (www.halleonardbooks.com).

Books-Resources, Products

The Very Best of the Doors

One of rock’s most influential and controversial acts, The Doors embodied the counterculture spirit of the ’60s and early ’70s and created many classic tunes. This comprehensive collection contains piano transcriptions, vocal melodies, lyrics, and guitar chord diagrams for 33 favorite titles. Among the tunes are: “Back Door Man,” “Break on Through (To the Other Side),” “LA Woman,” “Light My Fire,” “Love Me Two Times,”  “People Are Strange,” “Riders on the Storm,” “Strange Days,” and “Waiting for the Sun.”

The Very Best of the Doors, Alfred Music (www.alfred.com).

Cool Tools, Products

Featured Frets

ESP’s LTD B-1004SE Multi-Scale bass uses a special fret design to optimize string tension and ergonomics. They feature rosewood tops, 24 extra-jumbo frets on rosewood fingerboards, and world-class components including Nordstrand Big Splits pickups, Hipshot Solo bridge, and ESP Designed 3-band active EQ. With a standard fret layout and a great looking bubinga top, LTD B-1004SE optimizes aesthetics and ergonomics.

www.espguitars.com

Cool Tools, Products

Cost-Effective Clarity

The KORG B1 digital piano’s streamlined design delivers key features like natural weighting authentic keyboard feel, superior sound, and ease of use, in a streamlined design that’s cost-effective. Yet, it incorporates cutting-edge technologies that exceed expectations. Its meticulously-sampled sounds reproduce the sympathetic string vibrations and damper resonances of a piano, plus two electric pianos, a harpsichord, and two organ sounds. A dedicated Piano Play button instantly recalls Concert Grand Piano sound. The music rest of the B1 features a page retention pocket that keeps music pages and folios from turning unexpectedly during performance. B1 is available in black or white. Matching stand, piano bench, and metal sustain pedal are sold separately.

www.korg.com