Klarinet Archive - Posting 000681.txt from 1998/02

From: Clarial@-----.com
Subj: Professional vs amateur and musicians' union
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 23:44:54 -0500

Quite a few postings on this subject include cuts on the union by current and
former members. I tend to agree with most of what has been said about how
little the union seems to help and what an expensive hassle the union is.
However, I've done a lot of nonunion work and have found the conditions and
pay in union gigs is much better. The real problem for musicians is the lack
of union gigs. I'm not sure the blame for that lies at the feet of the union.

A Klarinet correspondent from Arizona mentioned her orchestra recently got a
contract for union scale. In other words, she got the benefit of the union
without joining.

I'm just pointing out that the union, deservedly cursed as it is, has in fact
done a lot to improve the musicians' lot. Just ask anyone who worked for
George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra for $125 per week (no benefits) for a
30 week season. Today, the minimum pay for a 52 week season with Cleveland is
more like $80,000 with benefits.