| I feel very strongly about unions.
In NYC, Jimmy Owens and Bob Cranshaw are working hard to get jazz musicians to join the union, file contracts and pay work dues.
Some very famous older musicians had no pension or health coverage until they joined the union.
Without unions we would be back in the old days where conductors routinely fired half the orchestra for little or no reasons. The Philadelphia Orchestra, with Stokie conducting, led the field in that abuse.
Ormandy, recorded the Minneapolis Symphony's whole season by added a paid week to the orchestra's season, then recording the rep they had played that season. That was the fuel that sparked the Symphonic record contract.
Club owners would stiff the musicians at the end of the week. Recordings would be made and not paid for. Forget about working conditions.......you took what you were given.
Professional musicians MUST have a union.
Wilmer |