MUSICIANS' UNION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1437, 11 May 1912, Page 8

MUSICIANS' UNION.

ATTITUDE OF EMPLOYERS. SATISFIED WITII THE DUNEDIN AWARD. . I There has teen, little talk in musical j circles this week in Wellington which | has not. been cf the action of the Musi- \ cians' Union, whoso rather extraordinary demands were published in full in last Monday's Dominion. As the dispute is to be heard before the Conciliation Commissioner on Wednesday next, those cited to appear by the union have lost no time in arranging a plan of campaign. A meeting was held yesterday in. the Wellington Employers' Association room, where, with the" aid of Mr. Wm. Grenfell, those present, who included the theatre ami picture theatre proprietors, refreshment-room proprietors, the town clerk, and ilr. Maughan Barnett (conductor of the Royal Choral Society,. city organist, and director of the Municipal Orchestra)! thoroughly discussed the demands, A point that lias been giving somo of the parties to the dispute a little anxiety was the position of amateurs who play in orchestras. There are a good number of amateurs who loyally assist tho Municipal Orchostra, the Royal Choral Society, the Musical Union, and tie Savago and Orphans' Clubs, and it has lieen regarded as grossly absurd that those should not be allowed to play without payment as formerly. It was pointed out that there was nothing in tho award to prevent an amateur musician playing for nothing, but should ha accept money at all it was held that (providing tli© demands as drafted were carried) that award rates would have to bo paid. On Lines of the Duntdin Award. The demands are to bo contested pretty generally, and in their place the employers cited intend to ask for an award sornevVhat on the lines of the one current in Dunedin at tho present time. The principal provisions of this award are as under:— ' , , 1. This award shall apply to all musicians \ employed to play musical instruments in connection with dramatic performances, variety and picture entertainments, and performances by operatic and comedy companies. - 2. Each performer shall be ■ paid at tho rate of not. less than per week for six nights and one matinee, -with two' rehearsals of not more than two hours each free. All time beyond two hours in tiny .rehearsal and all extra, rehearsals shall bo paid for at tho rato of 2s. Gd. per hour. 3. (a'j Each casual performer shall bo < paid not less than 12s. for each performance. (b) A performer shall be deemed to be employed as '« casual if liis engagement is for a period of less than six nights. . , , .. . J. Where more than one rnatmee is Riven during the week each performer shall be paid 10s. extra for each matinee after the first. 5. (a) If and so long as tho rules of tho union shall permit any person who 13 a competent musician and who is of good character and sober habits to becomo a member of tho union, upon pavment of an entranco fee not exceeding ss. and of subsequent contributions of not more than Gd. per week, upon a written application of, the person desiring to join tho union, .without ballot or other election, then'and in such case employers shall employ members of the union in preference to non-memberß, provided there arc members of tho union eouallv qualified with non-members to perform the particular work required to bo dono and ready and willing to undertake it. (b) This clause shall not apply to anv musicians who shall come to Dtinedin as members of any travelling company. Exemptions. Several people who have been cited intend to ask for exemption from the conditions of any award which may bo issued. They will ask for exemption under Clause 71 of tho Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Act, 180S,', which, "No award or industrial agreement mode after the commencement of this Act shall affect the employment of any worker who is employed otherwise than for the direct or indirect pecuniary gam of t&«. employer." .. , , There are several people cited who control musicians, but do not employ them for pecuniary gain, las in the cases, of our musical societies (which are constantly struggling to pay 20s. in the pound Whilst keeping the banner of musical art nying). the social clubs, and the Municipal Orchestra, which is certainly not making money nor has it been established for any such purpose. Its promoters, the Citv Council and the guarantor*, would be only too pleased if it paid its 'ay, and were any surplus to be realised it would, bo expended mi new music or improving the orchestra m otlier ways. The emulovors assessors mil be blpssra. Bert Eovfe (J: C."Williamson. Ltd.), John duller \iun. (of Fuller and hons), and Mr. M. J. Donnelly (of . the New Iheatrej.