[Dixielandjazz] What do musicians get from the union?

[Larry Walton Entertainment]

Symphony orchestra members do benefit by the Union but lets be fair.  The 
Union would be helpless if you took away the huge subsidies that the 
orchestras get from government and business.  Without that the symphonies 
would simply not exist.

Personally I like the status of independent contractor because it is a huge 
advantage when tax time rolls around.  I can deduct things that an employee 
can't.

Unfortunately the musicians union has no power to enforce their edicts with 
anyone other than their own members, with some exceptions.  The only time I 
really needed them they sold us out.

I wish we had a strong organization and the support of other unions that 
could shut down a venue but we don't.
Larry
StL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stephen G Barbone" <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 9:22 AM
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] What do musicians get from the union?


>I think the answer depends upon individual circumstances.
>
> For me, no benefits. My last 3000 gigs have been non-union and well  paid.
>
> However, those musicians who work in major orchestras (NY  Philharmonic, 
> Phila Orchestra, et al) get plenty of benefit. Much  higher salaries than 
> if they were independent contractors.
>
> Same for those who work in the NYC theaters. Same for those who work  the 
> Christmas show at Rockefeller Center.
>
> I have a friend of mine who in addition to touring with name acts also 
> plays the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show gigs. He says that he 
> makes over half his yearly earnings from those month and a half  Christmas 
> shows. He is grateful to the Union for that pay rate.
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
> www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband
>
>
>
>
>
>
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