(Note: this post contains the email to which the letter in the next post responds to - I hope that makes sense - RL)
June 14, 2010
Pete Anthony
President, RMALA
Dear Pete,
I'm glad you issued a response to my letter because I feel it has opened the door to engage in a productive dialogue in order to resolve the difficulties that have taken up so much time and energy of too many of us.
Clearly, we view things differently. Let's not forget - I was there too; and so was the entire International Executive Board. The simple fact remains that the points I made in my letter were what was told to the IEB. We all heard the words. To characterize them as fantasy, word twisting, or just plain wrong is completely inaccurate. I also have to clarify again that the lawsuits that were filed were not challenging IEB decisions. They were challenging the By-laws. Perhaps RMA has stepped back from its position, which I would view as a positive development in reaching a conclusion to our differences.
One last thing. I thought you knew me well enough to know that I would never play you or the work that you've done on behalf of musicians. The issues are much too important to be treated as a political football. My campaign literature had been mailed out, and my Convention handouts were finished long before your response was sent out. Despite what some may think, the sole purpose of my letter was to respond to what was contained in the first two paragraphs of the letter sent out by "Locals in Search of Unity" - not as campaign material.
After the Convention is behind us, I sincerely look forward to the opportunity of meeting with you again and creating a model that will lead to the end of the conflict which has divided us for much too long.
With warm regards,
Joe Parente
President, Local 77, AFM
International Executive Officer
Comments