Klarinet Archive - Posting 000195.txt from 1996/02

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Union/ Non-union?? Help?
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 00:48:17 -0500

Anne,
THe AF of M is a labor organization created to protect and help
musicians. Its tenets are that musicians are deserving of a living wage,
job security, etc. - that we are not immature, scatterbrained bohemians or
lackeys but dedicated professionals (with all the virtues thereto
attributed). One joins by paying dues. Some other unions, such as the
Screen Actors Guild, require a certain amount of professional experience,
etc. but the AF of M does not.
As for the why, musicians (and, for that matter, all artists) are usuall
y
viewed with suspicion by our society. Consequently, many people who would
employ them don't respect their professionalism and feel that they have
the right to exploit them. For example, the club owners who think they
can hire and fire at will and deny payment, etc. So the union provides
both legal muscle (hiring lawyers and going to court, if necessary, to
enforce the terms of your signed contract) and logistical support/advice
on how to deal with clients, etc. Many unions have a 'showcase' which is
attended by contractors at which you can audition for them. They also
usually make up lists of leaders/bands which are distributed to people
looking to hire bands for an occasion. The list goes on for a while.
Contact your local and ask for information.
The remark on a posting about nonunion players referred to the
concept that musicians should be paid for not just the time spent on the
recording, but every time the recording is played. After all, if you are
using the recording, you are NOT attending a live concert (and supporting
the musician) but still enjoying the fruits of our labor. Also, unions
help enforce the concept that musicians are professionals by specifying
in recording contracts that musicians be identified and given credit on
the labeling.
Where the benefits of being a union musician are concerned: 1) we
usually get paid better than non-union players because the union helps us
negotiate collective bargaining agreements 2) the union offers group
medical benefits at a lower rate than most people would pay if insuring
themselves (since we are self-employed) 3) The union is a major lobby
for the arts in congress (noone else is, I'll tell you that!)....
So call your local and find out. I'lll end by saying that there
is alot of very misleading and negative anti-union propaganda out there
but hink of how bad our work stuation would be WITHOUT a union presence.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Wed, 7 Feb 1996, Anne Vacca wrote:

> This may seen strange but could someone inform me about the musicians union?
> What is it? How to join? Why? Qualifications?
>
> Why would it be a problem if someone hired non-union members? (As mentioned
> in Mr. Holland's Opus)
>
> What are the benefits of belonging to a union? Any benefits to not
> belonging?
>
> Really, I have no idea. Perhaps I've been in a cave. : )
>
> Anne
> AMVACCA@-----.com
>
> PS- Feel free to e-mail me privately if you don't think that this is a topic
> for the general membership of the Klarinet list.
>