Posted by Frank Rosenau on September 12, 2000 at 01:40:49:
In Reply to: Strike Votes _vs_ mgmt -vs- union-bustin posted by Concerned in CA on September 11, 2000 at 12:04:19:
This has become something of a discussion about the value of unions, so I'm a-gonna throw in my one cent.
When the Musician's Union re-established itself in Modesto, CA some years back, I decided, even though I am ONLY an amateur - as a show of support - to join for 5 years, because:
On my day job (non-union) as a troubleshooter for an international corporation I get:
Free medical and dental for myself, plus a very small cost to include my family.
Company paid retirement.
401K with company match.
5 weeks paid vacation per year....and a lot of other stuff.
Without a union, what does the journeyman musician get - especially if you freelance from gig to gig?
NONE OF THE ABOVE. NADA. ZILCH.
Plus I got stiffed on a couple of non-union contract protected gigs.
Not to say that the union (or unions) in general don't have their problems, but I think that the musician's union in particular provides some very significant essential services for professional musicians
Anyway, that's my opinion and worth every penny you've paid to read it.