The Executive Secretary of the North Shore AFL-CIO and president of the American Federation of Musicians Local 4 in Cleveland, Len DiCosimo, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to recap the year for Local 4, the new standard set by the contract with the Cleveland Orchestra and Ohio AFL-CIO’s regional labor federations efforts to get a new redistricting proposal on the ballot in 2024.
In 2023, AFM Local 4 secured a new 3-year contract with the Cleveland Orchestra. This contract was negotiated by an all-female committee leading negotiations, a first in the history of the AFM on a national level. This contract set a standard for many new contract negotiations for AFM Locals in America, DiCosimo said.
DiCosimo also spoke about the potential of receiving state funding from State Issue 2 in Ohio. The Cuyahoga Arts and Culture organization would receive a percentage of the taxes from marijuana sales. DiCosimo outlined what needs to be done to develop and approve the legislation needed to provide state funding for arts and culture.
Ohio’s redistricting fight is ongoing, and DiCosimo talked about how 2024 will be focused on fixing the illegal district maps. He discussed the proposed 15-member Ohio Citizens Redistricting Committee. It will be bi-partisan and represent all residents without current or former politicians on the Committee. The local Labor Councils are trying to educate the public on the proposed legislation and earn the votes needed to get it on the ballot in 2024.
Here more from DiCosimo by playing the show above.