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A Musician's Union Victory

Author: JGM
Date: 2006-03-01 21:05

Often while reading posts, I've been struck by the battles that many of us have to fight as professional musicians in different parts of the world. Here in Ireland there was a major problem with the Wexford Opera Festival. This Internationally known festival which receives a substantial government subsidy as well as generous corporate and individual sponsorship had in recent years employed two orchestras from Eastern Europe at rates of pay that would be a fraction of the Irish minimum wage.

Persistant lobbying by the Musicians Union of Ireland at Arts Council level and a dignified protest at the opening night of some of the festivals which received prominant press and National TV coverage have helped bring about a situation whereby from next year, a freelance Irish orchestra (The Irish Film Orchestra) will be the resident orchestra for the featival, thus providing slightly more than a months work for a large group of musicians. Thus showing that there is strength in numbers and in solidarity.

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