[TPIN] RE: Shrinking Pit Orchestras and the union

[David Arndt]

Mike,
 
I'm glad you weighed in on this.   I've believed this for years.   When I
was in the business full time, it quickly became apparent to me that the
musicians union was more of an obstacle to be overcome, than any real
benefit.  What I noticed back then was that the good venues would pay as
well regardless of the union, and the lesser venues got muscled out
*because* of union mandates.   
 
One of my favorite illustrations is the fact that in the mid 70's there were
about 6 dinner theatres in and around the Philly area that would pay about
$250 to $300 bucks a week for pit musicians (nothing you would get rich on,
but half decent dough in those days - especially for young professionals
just getting started).   The union walked in, bumped the rating on the
halls, and within a year they were all using tapes, instead of live music.
"Poof"  gone with the wind.
 
Another current day illustration is what happened at Radio City in NYC last
year.  I'm friends with one of the guys who works that gig every year, and
who also happens to be very active in the union.   They (the union) decided
to get tough & go out on strike.  The result was that the Music Hall said
"no" to all their demands, put in canned music - and the audiences kept
coming.  The musicians came crawling back for a worse deal than they had
before they went on strike.
 
It's one thing to play the role of tough negotiator when you're dealing with
a commodity product or service -and you're bargaining from a position of
strength  (the car industry, phone service, etc.) - it's another thing when
you have no clout whatsoever and ruin opportunitites for your constituency
(and future generations) by being inflexible.
 
Alas!
 
- Dave
 
 
 
 
  _____  

From: Vaxtrpts at aol.com [mailto:Vaxtrpts at aol.com] 
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 11:16 AM
Subject: Shrinking Pit Orchestras and the union


In a message dated 3/27/2007 6:35:26 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,
darndt at oriongate.net writes:

This is why the primary job of the Musicians Union toady should be get
creative about securing the future of live music, NOT on just rating halls
and setting rates.


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Boy, do I agree with this statement.  It just doesn't seem that they (the
union) "get it," and that is one of the reasons I quit years ago.  They were
making it almost impossible for my nonprofit to sponsor my big band and
comply with all their "rules."
Mike Vax