Union or not

LumpyGravy · #1 03-26-2008, 07:21 PM

I would like some opinions about the Musician's Union. Pros, cons, what makes it attractive, and horror stories. Thanks!

Dave Muscato · #2 06-25-2008, 11:18 AM

I'm interested in this, too. I'm a member of the AFM (Local 2-197) but I'd like to hear others' opinions, as well.

scottbass · #3 06-25-2008, 11:26 AM

Musicians' Union used to be a dig deal around here in the 70's. There were a lot of gigs that everyone knew went to union bands only. It seems to have passed quietly away somehow. I don't know of any local rock bands who belong to it now.

Chasarms · #4 06-25-2008, 11:42 AM

IME, the benefits are really dependent upon the type of musician that you are or want to be.

If you are a straight rocker, you may be helped by some of the benefits such as the rate you can get on insurance, help with contracts, conflict resolution, etc.

But, if you are someone who can site read and want to play a variety of music, you may also get assistance with finding gigs, especially seasonal stuff and the like. Most of the time around here, the event coordinator contacts a single musician who then assembles the ensemble. The union can aid to get you hooked up with those kind of people. Of course, you have to play well in order to get called again.

I haven't been in in a while, but the dues are around $150-160 now I think for my local. Not bad, really. I guess you have to kind of look in the mirror to best value the membership.

BassChuck · #5 06-25-2008, 01:39 PM

I'm a member (Local #1) but the union here in Cincinnati is, sadly, not that strong. I belong because I'm a supporter of the concept of unions. Its a necessity if you are playing with the Symphony or Ballet or are involved with the Broadway series... but it really doesn't generate much help for local musicians who aren't at that level.

Thunderthumbs73 · #6 07-13-2008, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LumpyGravy

I would like some opinions about the Musician's Union. Pros, cons, what makes it attractive, and horror stories. Thanks!

My thoughts on unions:
a.) I don't know anyone who is a member of a musician's union or who has identified themselves as such, and I've been a musician in a number of genres for more than a decade.
b.) I see absolutely ZERO presence of union musicians or union leaders who are involved in musician's union at a local level in such musicians engagements/networking:
-the musician's section of Craigslist
-this list (so far...)
-other online forums specific to the local/regional music community
-at gigs of local area musicians
-gigs of musicians who are in unions
c.) Musician union presence as far as I can tell makes ZERO impact on the local scene at anything less than the highest, most elite levels of the art, and can only assume that such local presence only occurs in the form of the highest order symphonies/orchestras and military-related service bands.

The message which I take from all these observations, is that unless you have a solid career in music as your prime job in one of the aforementioned ensembles, they're not interested in you, the average guy, or the small fry. The other message is that "if you want us, come find us, as we're not looking for you. You are not worth our time or effort."

That's a really pessimistic view, I'm sure, but I've tested the theory- I've occasionally asked in public or accessable forums and in conversations with good, long-time pro-quality musicians, where the unions are, and nobody has a good answer. Only guesses, at the very best, and deafening silence, lack of response, or shrugging shoulders at any other time. Most of the time, if not all, the concept of a musician's union does not seem to rise to the level of consciousness to most of the musicians I meet and work with.

Good luck with it.

willgroove2 · #7 07-14-2008, 01:13 AM

I'm a member of AFM Chicago local 10,at one point in my career I started doing some jingle work and joined.Of course right after that the jingle industry changed greatly and the bottom fell out for people like me.luckily for me I was not too deep into that scene that thats all I was doing but I have done very little union work in the many years I have been playing.IMO the fact that live music work has decreased so greatly since the '60's and '70's has decreased the influence of the musicians union,think about it;at one time there were live bands playing at almost all social events as well as every local bar,hotel,theater ect.Now places advertise that they have a "live DJ".If you are doing equity theater work or jingles you need to be in the union.They also have health insurance plans that you can become involved in as well as gear insurance,and over the long haul they do have a pension plan that you can pay into if you get enough union work.One note I would like to make is that I have got 3 calls from the union for work in the last 5 years.

Thunderthumbs73 · #8 07-15-2008, 09:39 AM

I see about 5 or so folks who currently do, or used to belong to the union. Interesting. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Keep 'em coming. I retract my statement that there are no union musicians here.

Best to you.

jomahu · #9 07-15-2008, 09:46 AM

i have to say, the most money i ever got for a gig was because of union rates.

Captain_Arrrg · #10 07-15-2008, 09:59 AM

I'm OK with people starting and joining clubs, but when they use it as a monopoly on labor (in this case musicians), I have a huge problem with that.

It seems to me to be a financial burden on new acts either way.

ThunderLizard · #11 07-15-2008, 10:00 AM

Belonged to the union for many years and usually got a couple of referrals a year from them. I think our local is more focused on muny bands and supporting 'community' music programs. The locals here were once very active in the bar/lounge scene because the bartenders were part of a service union. They could put some pressure on the bar owners to only hire union bands. But that's long gone.
Took a withdrawl card after a few years went by with no referrals. I've never been asked for a unioin card or feel that I've lost any work by not being in the union. But if you're searching for work, it might be a good place to get connected.

svenbass · #12 07-15-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jomahu

i have to say, the most money i ever got for a gig was because of union rates.

What type of gig was it?

Up here in Boston the Orchestra/Symphony/Theater folks I know are all members. I've not met many others outside of that circle that are. A violinist I know gets a good chunk of work though it, but I don't know if that is the standard.

When I first moved here I looked into it, but have yet to see the need for what I do.

Wally Malone · #13 07-15-2008, 06:55 PM

For those that would like to get some idea what is now offered through the AFM:

www.afm.org

Wally

jomahu · #14 07-18-2008, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svenbass

What type of gig was it?

Up here in Boston the Orchestra/Symphony/Theater folks I know are all members. I've not met many others outside of that circle that are. A violinist I know gets a good chunk of work though it, but I don't know if that is the standard.

When I first moved here I looked into it, but have yet to see the need for what I do.

we were filming a PBS Kids episode.

and somehow, we were in a union after that.

i dunno, you think boston is unique because we're practically a music factory? i imagine union contacts and connection (and financial strength) would be a plus for all the berklee/nec/bc grads who get most of their bread from sessions.