Cliff's Notes

Let me first state that I appreciate all work in our area, Union and non-Union. I prefer Union, but I’m happiest when musicians are working.

A friend called the other day and told me that some musicians had received a schedule from a non-Union contractor that they work for every year from November through April. On that schedule was a “yes or no” column that the player had to state what gigs they could make. Next to the “yes or no” column there was another column that asked the musician to write down what the “conflicting event” was. The musician had to mail the schedule back to the contractor. They had a problem; there was a conflict in April and they put a “No” on the schedule for two of the forty-two dates, and that the “conflicting event” was a Union gig that they also work every year.  The musician sent the schedule back to the contractor. The contractor refused to hire them for this year, or in other words, fired them.

My friend wanted to know if there was anything I could do. Well, the gig that they were fired from is non-Union, so as a Union President, I’ll stay quiet for the moment. As a person who has worked street level gigs for 20 years, I can give them my street level advice for the future and for all of you still on the gig. Please remember while reading this, this is Non-Union Street Level Advice for a Non-Union gig. If anyone asked me to fill out one of those schedules, and it does not constitute a contract, then I would lie. Yes, I said, LIE! I would look them right in the eye and LIE. The contractor already knows what gigs in the area conflict with his or he isn’t worth his pay. The only reason he would ask you such a dumb question is to set you up. So LIE to his face. During the summer, you have no idea if you really have a conflict or not...what if the other gig goes under? You’re out two gigs. So LIE.  Don’t lose the money from November to April; you need this money for your family. Tell them in March; if you get canned, you would have worked for four months more than if you let them fire you now. Don’t give the contractor all the time in the world to find someone to replace you. Let them try to find someone during season when it is tougher on them. The contractor may have second thoughts about letting you go for such a stupid reason. LIE, LIE, LIE.

You can justify all this lying by telling yourself that if you change your mind later and give proper notice, the contractor for the conflicting Union gig will not fire you. This is what sets the Union gigs apart from the non-Union gig: they are fair, you don’t have to lie to take another gig, and they’re probably more musical. YOU can make a decision that is best for you, without getting fired. So there it is, my Street Level Non-Union advice; stick that in your chicken sandwich, chew on it for a while, then do with it what you want.

Proud to Represent You,

Cliff Walker

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