MUSICIANS' UNION. A QUESTION OF PAY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 107, 6 May 1912, Page 8

MUSICIANS' UNION. A QUESTION OF PAY.

DEMANDS FILED. The Wellington Performing Musicians' Union has filed a series of demands with the Clerk of Awards (Mr. E. Stooker), and the matter will come before the Conciliation Council in a week or so. A summary of the demands is as under: — General Theatrical Engagements. Regular weekly engagements, £3 per tfeck of six consecutive night performanees or night rehearsals. Each matinee to be paid for at the rate of one-sixth the employee's weekly salary. Preference. If, and so long- as the rules of the union Bliull permit, any person who is a competent musician, and who is of good character and sober habits, to become a member of the union upon payment of an entrance fee not exceeding sg, and of subsequent contributions of not more than 2s per month, and to continue si member on payment of subsequent contributions, upon a written application, without ballot or other election, then and in such case ompioyere shall employ members of the union in preference to non-members. All nonunionists now in the employ of any party to this agreement shall, within seven days after being requested to do so by the secretary of the Workers' Union, become enrolled as members of' the union. Employers to have the option of engaging a-non-unionist, provided l\e or sho joins the union within seven days. Permanent Picture Shows, Vaudeville and Circuses. 1. Each performer shall b© paid at a rate of not less than £3 per week for six consecutive nights and one- matinee, with two rehearsals of not more than two hours and a half each free. All time beyond threo hours in any performance and all time after two hours and a half in any rehearsal and all extra rehearsal shall be paid for at the rate of 2s 6d per hour. Provided that tho first quarter of an hour after tho time limit fixed by this section shall not be deemed to be o\*ortimo. 2. Music to be supplied by the employer. 3. (a) Each casual performer shaJl bo paid not less than 12s for each performance, (b) A performer shall be deemed to bo employed as a casual if his engagement is for a period less than six nights, (c) Such payments to casual performers to bo paid by porinanont member if acting as deputy, and to bo paid by employer if engaged as an extra, performer. - 4. Where more than dne matinee is given during the week, each performer shall bo paid 10s extra for each matineo after the first. Continuous Picture Shows. 1. Each performer shall bo paid at tho rate of not lees than £3 per wook for oix consecutive performances of three consecutive hours per day or night. Every hour in excess of three hours per day sh^all be paid for at tho rato of Is per hour; night time, Is 2d per hour. 2. (a) Each casual perlormer shall bo paid nit 16bs than 12s for each performance of throe consecutive hours. (b) A performer shall bo doemed to bo employed as" a ca6ual if his engagement ia for a period of less than six consecutive performances of three hours each. (c) Overtime shall be paid for as provided in clauso 1. 3. All music to be supplied by the employer. Concerts, Oratorios, and Amateur Operatic Productions. Tho same terms and conditions as for grand opera. Provided that a* regards the amateur musical societies, known respectively as tho Royal Choral Society, Wellington Musical Union, Wellington Liedortafal, Wellington Savage Club, and Wellington Orphans' Club, and all other bona fide amateur societies, tho rates for casual engagements shall be one guinoa for each performance, and 6s for each rehearsal. ' Should any question arise as to whether any society other than thoso mentioned above is a bona. tide amateur society tho same, shull bri referred to tho chftirman of the board. There is a difference of opinion between miwical authorities and the union as to the effect if the demands are converted into an award. Mj. C'aldow, secretary of _ the Wellington Royal Choral Society, said it would crush all art, and all endeavour to do anything worth the doing where an orchestra was concerned. The demands, he said,_ would have the effect of killing the society. It was said that tho demands, if acceded to, would mean the end. of the Savage Club Orchestra, which played as an amateur body. Another contention was that an orchestra could not play for nothing at a benefit or charity performance. . Ifc is pointed out, however, by a reproeenfcativo of tho union that the objectors are under a misaprehension. Any mem ber of the union, no said, could play "for love" if. he chose. Tho only point wa& that ho must not play for less money than that specified in the proposed award. It was absurd, ho added, to say that a man could Hot play for nothing at a charity performance.