Klarinet Archive - Posting 000516.txt from 1997/09

From: aqrlw@-----. Walzel)
Subj: Prof. Musician: Employee or Contract Labor
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 14:58:05 -0400

I play in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra with about an
$850,000 budget and a season of about 60 services. We are not a union
orchestra, as there is no music union in Lubbock. However, there are about
6 or 8 musicians, including myself, who belong to locals in other cities.
Our symphony management in their infinite ignoranace tries to save itself
money by declaring musicians as contract labor rather than employees. Each
year they issue us 1099 rather than W-2 income tax statements. By doing
this, they avoid having to withhold tax from our checks and avoid having to
make employer contributions to Social Security.

Needless to say, the musicians of our orchestra do not think this is fair.
Is there anyone on the list who can share some insight on how we might
proceed to have this practice changed by our management. Any other
experience dealing with this issue would also certainly be appreciated.

Thanks! Bob Walzel

Robert Walzel
Texas Tech University School of Music
PO Box 42033 Lubbock, TX 79409-2033
ph#806-742-2270 FAX#806-742-2294

   
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