NOISE ACTION COALITION
USEFUL INFORMATION
Hi, one and all!
as requested, David Sheldon at the musician's union faxed
me a general breakdown of music performance scales. I am
sending it on to the NAC page so that anyone can peruse it,
use it for reference material, smirk, giggle, whatever.
yours, C.B.
p.s.
there were some notes included:
These scales are NOT meant to cover CONCERTS.
(also,) You may find the SCHEME more helpful than the
particular NUMBERS.
eg., the high figures are general, the lows are
recommended, not always adhered to.
SCALES
On May 7, 1991, at the Jazzmobile Open House, the Scales
Committee reported the following suggestions for approval.
These considerations have since been thoroughly examined
by the Jazz Musicians Organizing Committee:
Scale, per side musician: A: $125.00**
B: $100.00
C: $ 75.00
**with pension paid directly to union before fee is paid
to musician.
The SIZE and TYPE of establishmment are the two principle
considerations to be used in assigning scales. Figures
are to be modified by specific conditions, such as size
of band and frequency of employment. Of the benefits
available, pension has been adopted as the most viable and
significant.
The following chart is meant to provide a framework by which
all considerations can be included in one scheme. It can and
should be tested in the field as a means of determining fair
and realistic objectives for contract settlements. Classi-
fications are filled in for demonstration purposes only, and
modification is expected.
LOCAL
GILT- MUSIC SUPPER RESTAURANT ESTABLISH-
EDGED CLUB CLUB W/ MUSIC MENT
CAPACITY
0-50 B C C C C
51-75 A B B C C
76-100 A A B B C
101-125 A A A B C
126-175 A A A A B
176-200 A A A A B
201+ A A A A A
CABARET---to be reconciled with current promulgated scales.
Pension in addition to mimimum wage scale.
Health possible on steady jobs.
Additional factors: Size of ensemble (sliding scale).
-Bringing new establishment up to scale within life of
contract.
-Seating out of possible sight line, or out of earshot.
-Engagements of indefinite legnth.
-Night of the week.
Defintion of categories:
GILT EDGED: Indices are simple: "If you have to ask, you
can't afford it." Memberships, price of entrees, ration of
staff to clientele, dress requirements, cost of amenities.
These indicate a gilt-edged establishment.
MUSIC CLUBS: Charge admission or cover. Many advertise,
structure seating to face stage, have a stage, lights, etc.
May ask for quiet during sets, may charge minimuns per set,
and the like.
eg., Blue Note, Bradley's
REQUIREMENTS WITH MUSIC: These establishments rely much
less on musicians for their clientele. Muxic here is an
amenity rather than the core of the business. Few if any
of the music club's indices are present.
eg., Knickerbocker
CABARETS/SUPPER CLUBS: Not yet clearly defined, but show
times, seatings are featured, together with many aspects
of music clubs.
eg., Ballroom, Don't Tell Mama. They are also invariably
billed as "Cabarets."
LOCAL ESTABLISHMENTS: These are neighborhood restaurants
and bars, usually low budget.
eg., 55 Dive, Teddy's
----
Minimum Wage scales per musician per evening performance
(ending after 6:00 p.m.)of five hours or less:
SCALE NUMBER OF MUSICIANS
1 to 6 7 to 11 12 or more
A $125.00 $ 75.00 $ 50.00
A* $125.00 $ 75.00 $ 50.00
B $100.00 $ 75.00 $ 50.00
C $ 75.00 $ 50.00 $ 50.00
Leaders premium (percentage over minimum wage scale)
SCALE NUMBER OF MUSICIANS
LEADER OF LEADER OF LEADER OF
SOLO DUO TRIO 4 OR MORE
A 50% 75% 100% 100%
A*,B,C 25% 50% 75% 100%
OVERTIME
Overtime requested by the employer shall be compensated
at the rate of seventy-five percent (75%) of the prorated
applicable hourly rate for each half-hour or part thereof.
PENSION
Employer contribution of 10% of scale wages earned by
each musician.
STEADY ENGAGEMENTS
engagements of indefinite legnth may be negotiated
seperately.
--
christine bard