tromj

Well, all I do are freelance gigs, and because of the Union, I get a pretty good health plan and pension.
Folks, the Union is only as strong as its members want it to be. If you think your local is not doing enough, get involved! Ask Wilmer what 802 was like before John Glasel and Bill Moriarity et al led the revolt that took over the local.

PH

There are very few cities in the midwest these days where there is much of this type of work. Most recording these days is non-union. When there is, contractors get your name to sub through references via your network of other players. Young players get calls because they get recommendations from older busier players. After you get one of those calls you should join the union.

A union card will not get you work. It will enable you to keep the work you have and (hypothetically) have better working conditions, etc.

B15M

I guess it's different for you then me.

I had almost no jobs and then joined the union and then played well and got called more and more. Now I'm to the point where I have to turn some down. I also do some non union gigs but most of them are from the union or through connections made from being in the union.

Siegtrmpt

I'll tell you why musicians get pushed around. It's a lack of self respect. You don't need a union to stick up for yourself. Just don't accept poor treatment and politely let people know when they are out of line. They'll either treat you better or not hire you any more. Either way your problem is solved.

Clarence

yes Mr. wise, i agree with you about unions.
how ever in my free lance life style ascap is my best friend!

Rick Chartrand

Music is my fulltime income and I certainly make enough $$$ to support my family. I feel sorry for the guys out there that get called 'scabs' by nerd union members when you do non union work.

Theres certainly enough freelance work in music not to need a union. Unions do open doors, but not enough to put up with the hassle. I've had enough hassle in my teens and 20's working for losers in more gas stations and fast food dumps than I care to remember before I got into music fulltime...so I sure don't need hassles in my musical career.

I got into music so I could make a living exclusivly at something I love, and I avoid unions because I work for myself and have to answer to no one...(except my wife )

Music all comes down to connections. Freelancer means FREE, and never having to worry about kissing anyones butt...specially a unions

wiseone2

I have been a proud member of the American Federation of Musicians for many years. Unions don't create work, they are musicians banded together to insure that they will be treated fairly by those individuals or groups who are their employers.
I have been represented by members of MY choice to fight my legal battles, and believe me, in NYC you need representation. Record companies have abused musicians, free-lance organizations have defaulted on payments for work done in good faith by musicians.
We have a pension plan that cover free-lance musicians. A health plan for musicians. Legal help for the resolution of problems related to the music industry.
I can not fight Walt Disney, the union can.
These are only a few reasons I am a proud member of Local 802.

We kick butts, not kiss them.
Wilmer

wiseone2

While channel-surfing one day, I heard a familiar piece of music. It was The Village People recording of "In the Navy." It was the end of a movie "McHale's Navy." I was on the RECORDING. We had done it years earlier, it was not a film score. I called the union to find out what was going on.
It went all the way to the International Office..........we got paid for the use of the music in that movie. This has happened frequently to me.
Things of this sort can not be handled by one lone musician.
In unity there is strength.
Wilmer

Alex Yates

It may mean "free" in Canada, but for most freelancers it means clawing your way to call lists and kissing butts through all kinds of politics to get satisfying work. If you are a solo artist, that is a bit different than being a "freelance" player. Also, connections are not "free" either. You have connections for some reason.....they didn't just appear out of the blue banging down your door, did they? (rhetorical Rick, please don't say they actually did.....LOL)

Freelancing means playing symphony, clubs, churches, big bands, studio, chamber, etc - doing some or all of the above all of the time. In this scenario you have several jobs that make "one" living. It sounds to me that you are making your own music with your own group that is booked on a regular basis (or as a soloist) and that is the bulk of your "freelancing". For most though, the word has all kinds of meanings attached to it, but "free" is definitely not one of them.

CHAMP

i guess you don't have to worry about joining the union when you make 5 bills playing a jazz set in canada....