AEMUSICIANS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1432, 6 May 1912, Page 5

AEMUSICIANS' UNION.

Fftß ART-NOT FORGETTING MONEY A FAR-REACHING ATTACK, It lia.s been known for tome little lime ■past that there exists in Wellington a union of musicians, who are banded together under (ho general title of the Wellington Performing Musicians' Industrial Union of Workers. Although this union does not iiicludo nc.irly all the professional musicians in Wellington, it is si>ekinjf to bring them all under its banner by securing an award setting forth iiours, wuges, etc. Not only does it. aspire to gather all into the fold, but it may aha interfere in a very largo measure with those amateur musicians who piny m orchestras for the pure love of music, and who, filming a livelihood by other U-Hilo or professional work, take' up instiuinentaiisatioii as a niu.ucnl recreation or as II means of improving their musicianship. With an award such playtlw privilege of playing in an orchestra, as, if they pluyeil "for lore," they could era wouiii most probably be deprived ot be proceeded against for accepting "less than , award rates," and tho conductor or employer coui'.i lw mulcted in damages for defeating the award. This queer tangle is being brought to light by. tho action of the union, which has cited n number of employers of musicians as parties to a dispute, to Iμ heard by the Conciliation Council on May 15. The, parties who havo been cited by (ho union are us follow:— J. Mauglum Uarnett, Keiburno; Burlington Tea. Rooms, Laiublon Quay and Willis Street; Beilovuo Gardens Co., Lower Hutt; Daffodil Assembly, Alexandra Hall; Druids' Lodge Assembly, Druids' Hail; Fuller and Sons, Lambton Quay;. Fire Brigade Banjo Assembly, Kilbirnie; Galhto Bros., Willis J Street; James Goclber, Cuba Street; Hay- ! ward's Picture Enterprises, Ltd., Star I Theatre, Newto'wii; Kirkcaldio and Stains, Ltd., Lambton Quay; King Georgo Picture Co., Lower Hutt; Linley and Donovan, Dixon Street; llascolte Picture Co., Pctono; JlacMahon and Donneily, .Manners Street; 11. Jlatson, Kilbirnie; Opera Jlotisa Co., Wellington; Paris Picture Co., Ingestro Street; Palaco Picture Co., Petone; Royal Choral Society, Wellington; W. F. Shortt, Willis Street; Wellington Boxing Association, Wellington; Wellesley Club; Wellington City Council; Wellington Racing Club; Wellington Rowing Club Dance Assembly; Wellington Musical Union; Wellington Working-men's Club; West's Pictures Ltd., Dixon Street; J. C. Williamson, Ltd., Wellington,

WHAT IS CLAIMED. COMPREHENSIVE DEMANDS. The statement of the nature of the dispute and detailed statement of the claim as to wages, etc., is as follow.— Grand Opera. 1. Each rehearsal commencing and concluding between i) a.m. and C p.m., 55.; each rehearsal after G p.m., 10s.; each rehearsal on public holidays, 13s. 4d.; the provisions as to overtime hereinafter contained shall apply to all rehearsals exceeding three hours in length. 2. Weekly engagements, 434 per week of six consecutivo nights. Each matinee to bo paid for at tho rate of .ouc-sisth of the employee , !! weekly salary. 5. Casual engagements, each performance 21s. General Theatrical Engagements. 1. Regular weekly engagements, .£3 per week of. six consecutive night performances or night rehearsals. Each matinee to be paid for at the rate of one-sixth the employee's weekly salary. ; 2. (a) One rehearsal per week of two hours and a halt' shall be given free, and all time after two hours,and a half shall be paid for at the rato of 2s. 6d. per hour, (b) Rehearsals on Sundays shall be paid for as performances, and the same provision shall apply to rehearsals on Christmas Day and Good Friday, except when those days occur in tho course- of a weekly engagement, and no performancetakes place on those day?. 3. The loader' shall receive Ms. per week extra.

4. In pasual engagements of new employees, such employees shall be paid 12s. for each performance, and shall only be required to attend one rehearsal prior to tho opening night, for which they shall bo paid , r >s., and as regards all employees under casual engagement, tho provisions as to overtime hereinafter contained shall apply to all rehearsals exceeding two hours and a half. Permanent Picture Shows, Vaudeville, and Circuses.' I. Each performer shall bo paid at a rato of not less than ,t'3 per week for six consecutive nights and ojic matinee, with two rehearsals of not more than two hours' and a half each free. All timo beyond three, hours in any performance and all timo after two hours and a half in nny rehearsal and all extra rehearsals shall be paid for at the rato of 2s. Gd. per hour. Provided that the first quarter of an hour after the time limit fixed by this section shall not be'deemed to be over, time

2. Music to be supplied by the employer. 3. (a) Each casual performer shall' be paid not Jess than 123. for each performance, (b) A performer shall be deemed to be employed as a casual if his engagement is for a period less than six nights, (c) Such payments to ensual performers to be paid by permanent member if acting as deputy, and to be paid by employer if engaged ns an (extra performer. 1. Where more than one matinee is given during the wok, each performer shall he paid 10s. extra for each matinee after tho first. Continuous Picture Shows. 1. Each performer shall bo paid at the rato of not Jess than Jc'i per week for fix consecutive performances of throe coi.frcutivo hours per day or night. Kvery huir in excess ot throe hours per dny s-imll be paid for at tho rate of Is. per hcur; night time, Is. 2d. per hour. 2. (a) Each casual performer shall bo paid not less than 12s. for each performance of three consecutive hours.

(l>) , A performer shall be deemed to be employed as a casual if his engagement is for a period of loss than six consecutive performances of three hours wicli. (c) Overtime shall be paid for as provided _in Clause i. S. All Music to be supplied by the employer. Concerts, Oratorios, and Amateur Operatic Productions. The same terms and conditions ns for Brand opera. Provided thiit as u-gards tho amateur societies, knmvn respectively as tho Royal Choral Society, Wellington Musical Union, Wellington Liederltifcl, Wellington Savage Club, and Wellington Orphans' Club, and all other bona iide amateur societies, the rates for casual engagements shall bo one guinea for each performance, and ss. for each rehearsal. Should any question ariso as to whether any society other than those mentioned above is a bo&n tide mnatonr society tho same shall bo referred to tho chairman of the board. Amateur Dramatic Productions. Each performance, l°s. 6d.; the first rehearsal to fc» paid at same rates, and cne given free at the option of tho nnion. Weekly Engagements Other Than Those Given. 1. For six consecutive, performances not exceeding four hours each, between the hours of 9 a.m. ami G p.m. or not exceedin>; three hours after G p.m., .E3 10s. 2. For twelve performances per week given in two sessions per day, each not exceeding I wo hours, between 9 n.in. and G p.m., and three hours after G p.m., £5 per week. I). For eighteen performances por week j given in three sessions per day, each not exceeding H hours, between !i a.m. and 2 p.m., or two hours between 2 p.m. and G p.m., or two houre after 6 p.m., i.'6 ss. per. week. i. One rehearsal per week of 2J hcurs shall be given free, and all timo after 2J hours shall bo paid for at the rate of 2s. Gd. per hour. Cafes, Restaurants, Etc. 1. For cngugenients extending over fixed periods of not less than throe months, .t'2 per week. Provided .that (a) not more Iliait six performances shall be given a week, mid' not more than oi-e purforniiiiu'i! shall be on any mm day; and (b) sui'li iii'i'i'oriuaneo fliali not oxcpi'il two hours, and shall lakes jilats on week tliiys Ik'lsvoi'H tJin liuiir* nf :t p.m. nml i> |..m. at times to be fixed by the employers when making the engagements, and ic) Sunday performances not loss than 10s. eacli. i, Kngaeomeate for two performances per day tiibjeat tg Uiu rboTj) Boaditjoss. ;

Miscellaneous. Picnics—From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with onn hour for lunch, 21s. From 1 p.m, to C p.m., .'ss. Races. From 9 a.m. to f> p.m., 21s. No engngcment to be less than ono day. Oilier Afternoon. Engagements.—From 3 p.m. to 0.30 p.m., 12s. Ud. Shows, Bazaars, etc.—l'rom 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., 12s. (id.; from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.. ■Smoke Concerts and Dinners.—From 8 p.m. to 10.30 p.m., 155.; from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m., 2R; after midnight, ss. pet hour, or part thereof. Skating Itinl.-?.—The esmo terms and conditions as apply to permanent picture shows. Dance Engagements. j. Weekly Assembly,—For a season of not less than, six months, from s p.m. to 11 p.m., 12s. Cd. per night. JOxteiided night held in connection with these assemblies from 8 p.m. to 12 p.m., 15s. 2. Koeial or Ball.—From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., piii.-io only, 2Js,; band cf two, 455.; bund of three, i' 3 55.; band of four, £i b>.; baud of five, M Is. (id.; band of six, .1G 10s. I'rom 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., piano only. 25:-=.; band of two, ,£2 12«. lid.; band of three, JG3 17s. Cd.; band of four; £.3 55.; band of jive, JDG 10s. j band of six, £S; each additional man, 255. extra. Harbour Excursions, Opcn-cir Performances, etc. From 8 a.m. to G p.m., 21s, to I p.m. to 6 p.m., 155.; from 7 a.m. to 10.30 p.m., 15s. Wiiero throe or more performers are engaged, the musician, in charge shall receive an extra foe of s!i per cent, on schedule rates. General. Travelling musicians to lw paid at uniform rate, irrespective of where lie resides. Double rates shall be paid for performances on Christmas Day or Good Friday. As regards all performances and rehearsals for which a time limit is fixed by this agreement, overtime shall be payable at the rate of 2s. Gd. for each hour or portion thereof. In ail engagements for performances outside of the city of Wellington, employees shah bo entitled to train, tram, or boat fares (first-class), as from the General Post Office, Wellington, to and from the. place cf performance. As regards engagements for performances between the hours of 9 a.m. and G p.m., and exceeding four hours, each employee shall, unless meals arc provided, be entitled to refreshment expenses not exceeding 2s. Gd., in addition io rates fixed by this agreement. Preference. If, and so long as the rules of the union shall permit, any person who is a competent musician, and who is of good character and sober habit?, to become a member of the union upon payment of an entrance fee not exceeding 55., and of subsequent contributions of not more than 2s. per month, and to continue a member on payment'of subsequent contributions, upon a written application, without ballot or other election, then and in such case, employers sup!! employ members of the union in preference to non-membors. All non-unionists now in the employ of any party to this agreeluont Mini!, within seven days after being requested to do so by Did secretary of the Workers' Union, become enrolled as members of the union. Employers io have the option of oueasipfr a non-union-ist, provided lie or she joins (lie union' within seven dajs. Scape of Agreement. This agreement is limited in its operation to the area within a radius of "0 miles from the Chief Post Oflico in tho City of Wellington. Assessors. The union has nominated Messrs. H. B Oakes, T. T. Joy, and H. Jloschini as assessors. Mr. 11. B. Oakes is president ol tho union, and Sir. John F. Woodivanl secretary.

A PARALYSING EFFECT. "WILL KILL MUSICAL SOCIETIES." "If the union pets an award on tho lines laid down in its demands,' it will kill our society." said- Mr. Calclcny, pccretarv of ilie AVcllhigton Royal Choral Society. "It is going to crush nil art, nnil all endeavour to do anything worth tho doing where an orchestra* is concerned. We could get; over it bv using the gi'aiui organ, but to pay nil orchestra according to Iho award would only mean ruin. To pay tho .n-ew rates to our orchestra—a dozen or more ot whom arc pure amateurs and play for nothing—would me-au about jC4O tacked on to the expenses of every concert, and as we do not make that much on an average we must fto doirn. The case of our society is Hie bast to quote, too, for I suppose there is no oilier society in so μ-ood a position as ours; so what would kill our society would ruin every other similar body in Ne«- Zealand, providing ilm union movement spread. Wo dnn't want to do without an orchestra, but we will have to fall back on the organ if the award is granted, and do aw.iy with the orchestra altogether. I think that the movement should bo met and fought. The musicians themselves will think so, a little later on, when the number of engagements begin to fall off." "Savage" Indignation. A member of the Wellington Savage Club said that if the award were granted it would mean the end of the Savage Club Orchestra. At present Hie orchestra plays as an amateur one, and most of them aro jjood Bohemians and members of the club. "We have," ho continued, "about twenty members in the band. If they are to be paid award rates it will cost .£27 11s. (id. for tho orchestra altmo at a korero! That, is SI Is. eac'a for performers, 5.5. for a reheav=ai. and an extra 10s. Gd. for the conductor. Th« conditions under which tho Savage and Orphans Clubs are run make it impossible to employ orchestras at the rates scheduled in tile demands.

No Provision for Competence. "Ono thing I lioHco that throughout the- whole of the demands there is no provision guaranteeing the competence of members of the union. In theatres and picture shows there shall l>? one rehearsal free, and others to be paid for at scale rates," said one theatrical man. "This is a rather specious provision, for all thn conductor has to say is that his band must have tiro or three extra rehearsals, anil the management would have to pay. Don't you see tho point—Hwy may not bo competent enough to play tlio music well enough oil ono rehearsal—and they are not all Kulieliks—so another and another orclustral rehearsal is hold until they are proficient. To enable them to do I heir work at a performance ns it should !>o done, «. malinger may bo very easily Mulcted in heavy expense;. Them docs not appear to l>3 any provision for benefit or charity performances—in fact, the demands are extortionate and non-conces-sional, by. which I wean to convey that performances nro given under a multitude of different circumstances, and nowhere do I see any provision in I'ho award where, for instance, the orchestra could 1 piny for nothing at a benefit performance for cno of its members, unless that _ performance wore given by tho Professional Orchestra, which, I notice, is not made a party-to the dispute. This is distinctly unfair, as that orchestra could give con- I oerts at-probably half the cost that other people could, as in that case award rates would not apply. If the award is to be a rigid one—members plnyinsr for the Professional Orchestra on a Sunday or any other evening should b« proceeded against if they accept lower than the award rates for tlioir services. That would only be fair and equitable to other people who might bo induced to rivo concerts at which orchestras would be employed.