I’ve been on an introduction to studio recording course. Separate coverage for our recording studio for gear and liability. They have a benevolent fund which exists to help people in times of crisis. adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []; 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; Then, when the band became more professional, we were constantly asked for insurance documents – and that’s how I came to the Musicians’ Union. Well, cancelling was not cheap either! A GREAT,  INTERACTIVE WEBSITE. But things have really been starting to turn around of late. Back then, my idea of a ‘union’ was support in a strike situation or maybe pay negotiations for  West End musicians in talks with the producers. Often a question musicians ask themselves is should I join the musicians’ union? var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); EDUCATIONAL CHANGES – They work with teachers. There is also a whole range of advice and guidance … _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-29921485-2']); They make changes. Meanwhile I’ve worked in a union environment on 3 separate occasions (provincial government x2, municipal government), and left all 3 times. And I'll bet that the movie producer now has a different opinion about symphony orchestra musicians in that town! There are benefits that come with having a contract. Copyright © ]]> The Musicians' Union is a community of 32,000 musicians working to protect our members’ rights and campaign for a fairer music industry. Covered. For an annual fee of $120 the musician is able to reap all the benefits of having a union voice. I can't say enough about how great this is. LEGAL SUPPORT – If you find yourself in a dispute and need advice or representation – these are the guys to help you. This includes a really useful forum – and a notice board where you can advertise your things for sale. Photo: Cable 14, Bars We Used To Work In "Back In The Day", Prakash John: How To Pass The Torch Of Musical Excellence, Part Two, McMaster's Live Lab: A Spectacular Breakthrough In Brain Research For Music and Sound, Bill Powell - Founder of Hamilton-Wentworth Creative Arts and Festival of Friends, Shanya Lynn Dawson Performs at the New Zoetic Theatre: Photo Essay by Ivan Sorensen, Prakash John: How To Pass The Torch Of Musical Excellence, Rotary Burlington Fall Music Festival Committee Begins Planning for 2016 Music Festival, From Pop to Opera and Back with Richard Margison and the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir, Hamilton Musicians Guild, Local 293 AFM, Welcomes New Members To Its Executive for 2016-17, Some musicians are finding the support of the. Some people think of the MU as mainly representing "traditional" musicians, but our members include many big name dance acts, too. While joining a union does provide legal protection and other benefits, the question of mandatory membership has been settled by two Supreme Court rulings that specifically address the limits of union membership. I remember some of us got hired to be a background band in movie. It ended up costing them between a third and a half of the original fee just to fire us! Well – the MU run regular regional workshops that deal with these subjects and much more. I do remember that the night before we were to report, they cancelled on us! Membership has suffered greatly, and the drive and motivation to recoup losses and rebuild has been difficult. FINANCIAL HELP WHEN YOU’RE IN TROUBLE – How many other unions offer this? To join the Musicians' Union, you must agree to abide by the MU rules. Some music work (generally the steadier, better paying kind) is only available to members of musician's unions. PUBLIC LIABILITY INSURANCE – Up to £5million! Full of advice and contacts – everything on guidance on how to audition for an orchestra, through to pay negotiation skills, musicians union payment rates. Should I join a musician's union? One benefit is that you will receive a web listing for yourself as a local musician on the GoPro web database. Most of the freelancing I do is with a symphony orchestra and they demand membership. However, a decision of the Supreme Court in Abood v. Detroit Board of Education, 431 U.S. 209 (1977), a Foundation-supported lawsuit, makes clear that you cannot constitutionally be prevented from resigning from your union at any time. Should you join a union? Join the MU Campaigns A good chunk of the union is made up of symphony players who need to go through the union to get paid and get their benefits. I play in a band with vice president Brent Malseed and Brent's wife Janna is also on the executive. I've had the opportunity to meet and dialogue with the president Larry Fuedo. The Musicians Union was set up to protect the right of musicians. However, many of the casino hotels do have agreements with the Culinary Union, hence limit employment to membership. The union is like anything. The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. Some see it as a being increasingly irrelevant in today's music market. You see a gap – make it known, and they will do their best to plug it. ... You should consider seeking the advice of a music attorney or business advisor before entering into a direct or source license. There’s a Musician’s Union. As part of the Celtic Clan series of blogs, we like to cover lots topics.This is one I felt really passionate about writing, as there are so many people out there unaware of how much they are missing out on! Can SAG-AFTRA and the AFM capitalize on it? Many Musicians Are Unaware — or Unable to Join A wave of workers-first rhetoric is sweeping through pop. It was either going to be the next evening or the one after that. If your amp falls on someone's head, you're covered for that, too! if (typeof adsbygoogle.requestNonPersonalizedAds === 'undefined') { Advertise yourself. Professional musicians from every genre voiced both tangible concerns (instrument insurance, pension, death benefit) and intangible considerations when asked about their … Musicians' unions can also provide instrument insurance and medical insurance. Focused on the future, MEAA is a thought leader and driver of change. Anti-labor folks can talk all they like about … With a bit of research, you can easily understand whether it is something you could benefit from. Others see it as just a waste of money, with little immediate benefit in return. You Are A Musician In A Symphony. As mentioned before, your time will come. var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; As an AFM member, you are part of a membership of more than 80,000 musicians. Thanks so much for your involvement. Another benefit is relationships. I've heard varying opinions on how useful that is.". Union membership dues start at approximately $200 a year, and many unions charge more, according to Larry Keller of Bankrate.com. We are #BehindEveryMusician. var pluginUrl = And pupils to ensure music is high on the curriculum. It does include corporations or record labels. I renewed my membership a few years ago. If you're a professional musician, and your gear is stolen from your vehicle, good luck getting your homeowner's policy to cover it. Under the terms of the joint membership agreement with the Musicians' UnionOpens new window, you will benefit from a 25% discount on the standard UCU national subscription if you are a full paying member of the Musicians' Union. The old days of union gig rates and needing a membership card to play most places are largely gone (except for professional symphonies and similar orchestras) but I feel part of a group of like-minded people. We find this a major benefit of union membership. The legal answer to this question is "no." _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); It takes a few minutes to set up, but will get your name out on the internet, especially when someone starts their search for a musician at the Musicians guild web portal. Safety. The Nashville Musicians Association represents over 2400 of Music City’s finest musicians, including the Nashville Symphony, studio players, road musicians, teachers, singer/songwriters, bandleaders, arrangers, and producers. Or maybe you’re already self-employed and need guidance on how to make it all work. When I was wondering if I should join the Musicians’ Union – I had no idea of what was on offer. You’re never on your own – there is always someone interesting to chat to and you know for sure you’re going to have music in common. The research says yes. Brilliant service! Just one small example – the Live Music Act 2012, which now makes it easier to put on gigs and perform at grass roots level. })(); Over 5.5 million workers are part of a union. Nevada is an open shop state, meaning you don't have to join a union to have a job. The had us come in to get fitted for costumes and told us when we would be shooting. When we gig we have maybe $15,000 of gear with us so theft is a concern. Start with family and friends (especially musician friends). Even if you are an amateur musician who performs part time then you should still consider joining. In conclusion, every artist should consider joining a union. If you’re wondering ‘should I join the Musicians’ Union?’ – then the answer is a resounding yes. 25. If you’re an amateur musician you should join the organization for the many benefits that it offers its members. var _gaq = _gaq || []; ie, they stand up for one another, and are not to be taken for granted.I wonder how many times the movie producer shared that story with his or her associates? Together is always better, so I see no reason why getting musicians to associate and improve their situation would not be useful. THEY LOOK AFTER YOUR HEALTH – I saw a Harley Street Audiologist at an amazing price,  here in Birmingham. YOU GET TO FORM POLICY: They openly encourage members to meetings to harvest ideas and find out what you, as a member, want them to do for you. Or perhaps they will fund a holiday to recuperate. He is part of a union for a very large national company, and loves it. In my opinion, the union is a great opportunity to serve the musicians' community, if only through providing a means of associating, networking with others who are in the same business and facing the same challenges. It comes down to sounding like JFK in his famous address: Don't ask what your union will do for you; ask what you can do for your union. I can't remember. There are no real drawbacks to joining a union. If you can’t see the dividends from joining the union just yet, then maybe it’s a cue to keep succeeding on a non union level. I believe I may have something to contribute as a writer as well. Why You Might Join A Union As A Musician. It’s  a few years down the line now – and I can honestly say I’ve been amazed by their generosity and willingness to provide for members in terms of training, support, networking and career development. Most of the freelancing I do is with a symphony orchestra and they demand membership. Built on integrity and powered by creativity, MEAA is the largest and most established union and industry advocate for Australia’s creative professionals. It's hard to believe that a service such as 'Unpaid Fee Recovery' has to exist, … TRAINING COURSES – often free! Once you have completed a UCU application you need to contact the Musicians' Union to complete any neces… A BRILLIANT CONTACTS BOOK – This is worth its weight in gold! In October 2015 the Hamilton Musicians Guild elected a new executive for a two-year term beginning in January 2016. A strong and passionate advocate for its members, MEAA also connects and ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? Union facilities are safer than non-union facilities. I remember some of us got hired to be a background band in movie. If you’re wondering ‘should I join the Musicians’ Union?’ – then the answer is a resounding yes. But then as I have listened to them I've learned that the Hamilton musician's union local is recovering from a terrible situation where a past executive member has been charged [and convicted - ed] with embezzlement. Any musician – no matter what your level or genre, will find something of benefit. If you are a full paying member of the UCU you benefit from a 50% discount on the Musicians' Union standard membership fee when paid for by credit or debit card. If for some reason you can't join a union but want to support your fellow working Americans and fight for good jobs and a just economy, learn how to join Working America . My union fought for me and made sure my contract was honoured. Any musician – no matter what your level or genre, will find something of benefit. POLITICAL ACTIVITY – They lobby! https://strongerunions.org/2016/11/10/why-i-joined-the-musicians-union This is a list of music organizations in the United States.It does not include symphony orchestras or other performance groups, or educational and research institutions unless they have significant programs outside the fields of education, research or performance. The cleanup and restoration was fully covered. What Is The Union Being part of the union means that you will have access to a lot of information for free. Unpaid Fee Recovery. There are benefits that come with having a contract. The first step to joining a union is to locate your individual union and contact it for union facts and guidance on organizing Get in touch with a union organizer. // Supply ads personalization default for EEA readers [clarification needed]Generally, only currently extant organizations are included. For example, membership in the Teamsters Local 853 costs between $17 and $85 per month as of 2015. I have very little choice as to whether I should join the union. I was a union member for quite a few years when I was younger but resigned in good standing in middle age. Another time, my lighting console was stolen out of a club in North Bay. Being a salaried symphony member is a bit of a dream job for many classically trained musicians. Often structured around a talk first, and then mingling. New friends are always a good thing, in my opinion. BF and I often talk about unions and how effective they are. Joining ASCAP as a writer is a great first step in your music career. Hopefully, you will never have cause to seek support from your union because you feel that you are being treated unfairly by … I've recently re-joined the musician's union, after a hiatus of about twenty years. That's when the union took over on our behalf. Again. Unions sometimes attempt to impose limitations upon the right of a member to resign. That’s when joining a musician’s union can be of great help. What do you think? '//www.google-analytics.com/plugins/ga/inpage_linkid.js'; _gaq.push(['_require', 'inpage_linkid', pluginUrl]); Monthly dues for the chapter generally are equivalent to your pay for two-and-one-half hours of work. They work for you. I have to admit, I was hoping for something a bit more impressive. But there are hotel/casinos that do not. In my opinion, the union is a great opportunity to serve the musicians’ community, if only through providing a means of associating, networking with others who are in the same business and facing the same challenges. If you are a professional musician then you should definitely become a member. "The Musicians' Union represents the interests of over 30,000 members who perform, write and record in a wide range of styles and genres. However, I see great opportunity within the union organization. One of the easiest … Make smart decisions and trust your instincts on when it’s time to take a risk. There are many reasons to join us, but none is more important than the simple concept of strength in numbers. More than 5.5 million people are in a union – from nurses to checkout assistants to lorry drivers to airline pilots. // See https://www.blogger.com/go/adspersonalization Met some lovely people,  gained great insight and lots of knowledge. (Songwriting) It depends on your goals and personal situation. All at low rates not available through the standard service groups. The had us come in to get fitted for costumes and told us when we would be shooting. CAREERS ADVICE – If you’re a recent graduate, you may be floundering and need help. Be part of the community of 32,000 musicians coming together to help each other. Vacancies had arisen due... A local musician, I'll call him Rick, recently posed the question: ", Do you think joining the musicians' union is any good? Do the benefits of being part of the musicians' local outweigh the costs? The chapter also charges an initiation fee ranging from $75 to $600, depending … was being rented by Bannister's in Hamilton as a house system, and when the building next door had a fire, my gear suffered some smoke and water damage. }. It didn’t seem relevant to me  – I was doing okay, working regularly and didn’t see the need. Here are four reasons to join as a publisher, too. Before I joined the MU, I had no idea what they offered. I wonder how many players who have received claims payments for stolen equipment would say that the insurance coverage alone has repaid them many time for their membership? If you work as a professional musician then there is no doubt that you should join the union. I didn't have to lift a finger. While I live (and gig) in the greater Hamilton area, I am a member of the Ottawa-Gatineau local, my old location.The major benefit for me is instrument insurance, difficult to get outside of the union. - GB. We’ve taken advice twice when trying to recover money for work done. It’s funded from legacies and donations and has changed thousands of lives since it began. Once, my full Martin p.a. The risk should be calculated and it should pay exponential dividends. Why joining the union means that you will receive a web listing for yourself as a musician you 're for! Set standard minimum fees and terms of service for musicians and live bands for yourself a! Help when you ’ re a recent graduate, you may be floundering and need advice representation! And loves it there to support and represent you of us got hired to be background! Member is a great first step in your music career time to take your career to next. Fees and terms of service for musicians and live bands teachers wonder if they will do their best to it!, but none is more important than the simple concept of strength in.... Your amp falls on someone 's head, you must agree to abide by MU! 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