Klarinet Archive - Posting 000206.txt from 1996/02

From: Mike Vaccaro <MVPROD@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Union/ Non-union?? Help?
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 12:20:57 -0500

YOU ALL WROTE:

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

I SAY:

In addition to what Fred says the basic tennant of unionism is to keep an
area standard for wages. A minimum scale. Nothing (except current ecomonic
conditions) keeps any union member for asking for more than minimum however
the idea is no one works for less than the minimum. This idea keeps musicians
and employers from undercutting salaries. We must remember that most of the
best musicians are in the union. The purpose is to guarantee a fair wage. It
is very easy for an employer to say the job pays $ x amount and without the
union every musician is in put in a position to have to take that amount. It
is also possible for musicians to get into a bidding war and undercut each
other which ultimately destroys our business. We have worked hard for our
artistry and there is no reason that we shouldnt be payed correctly for our
hard work. There are many problems with the union, and its members, however
we are better off with the union than without it and ALL professional
musicians (musicians who play for money) should support the concept. For a
very many years the union by having area standards has even helped the non
union musician with its area standards. Many people in the general public
think we PLAY music instead of WORK music. (Granted we have to PLAY to WORK)
They dont understand since its so magical and fun why we should be paid. We
have all been asked when on a job "what do you do for a living" or what is
your day job . Music and entertainment are taken for granted with the mass
media in essence giving our craft away for free to the general public. They
general public starts to believe that thats the way it should be. There are
musicians that are in the media system (celebrities) that make enormous
amounts of money and the union is also in business to protect them (if
members) however the primary purpose of the union is for the working musician
(full time or part time) that wants a fair wage (or more) for doing and
expert job.
Hope that helps

Mike Vaccaro