A Frank Chat with Solo Vocalists

AZ Vol. II, No.5 PUBLISHED BI·MONTHLY BY AMERICAN GUILD OF MUSICAL ARTISTS, Inc., A. F. of L. December, 1948 OFFICERS OFFICES LAWRENCE TIBBETT New York 18 President 276 West 43rd Street CONRAD THIBAULT Telephone: LOngacre 5-7508, 9, 10 1st Vice·President • JAMES PEASE Los Angeles 2nd Vice·President 1. B. KORNBLUM ASTRID YARNAY 6331 Hollywood Boulevard 3rd Vice·President Telephone: Hillside 5121 LEOPOLD SACHSE • 4th Vice-President San- Franscisco JASCHA HEIFETZ THEODORE HALE 5th Vice-President 216 Pine Street Telephone: Sutter 0855 ELIZABETH HOEPPEL Recording Secretary • FREDERICK JAGEL Philadelphia Treasurer G. GILBERT MASON 207 Walnut Place HYMAN R. FAINE Executive Secretary Telephone: Lombard 1187 BELMONT KINDLER • Assistant to Executive Secretary Chicago 1 BERNARD W. ZUEBERT BEN MEYERS Financial Secretary 188 W. Randolph Street Telephone: State 0585 • • JAFFE & JAFFE BELMONT KINDLER Counsel Editor A Frank Chat With Solo Vocalists It for some time has been a matter for concern to AGMA basis of a higher minimum salary which AGMA has secured officials, officers, and Board members, that principals have for you in our Basic Agreements with producers. There is a conspicuously absented themselves from union meetings, and marked difference between negotiating when the weekly mini· in general refrained from taking a part in union affairs. mum for a leading role is $224, and when it might be $154_ Reasons That Principals Offer Further, many additional benefits Lo soloists appear in our agreements which you probably could not secure as an indi One is at a loss to understand such a situation, because vidual, such as: considering the numerous obstacles and discouraging experi ences which artists encounter in their career, it should be (a) A 'payor play' contract is deposited at AGMA for your self-evident that the need for a strong union is greater than engagement. If you sing, you are paid, of course, but if you ever. Nevertheless, soloists have occasionally confided their do not sing, you are paid anyhow. Many artists will remem reasons for not participating, and we shall attempt to refute ber how years ago, they were offered an engagement, and if their arguments one by one. The following excuses are those it was cancelled, even when a private contract had been signed, most often advanced:- there was little they could do. 1. "The chorus runs the union." Definitely not so, because (b) A security deposit or bond is required by AGMA to the Board of Governors fulfills that function, and the choral insure that you will be paid. body has had only three representatives on the Board. It is (c) We insist, in almost all instances, upon first class trav true that membership meetings have been dominated by the eling facilities for artists, which is a vast improvement over chorus, but only because principals have preferred to remain methods of transportation in the past. away. Whose fault is that? Actually, in New York for ex· (d) Some of our Basic Agreements contain a clause grant· ample, the chorus membership is greatly outnumbered by ing paid sick leave to principals. Could you conceivably ac that of the principals. quire that yourself? Benefits To Principals Listed (e) The number of performances in which you may ap 2. "AGMA can't help me. I'm a soloist, and negotiate on pear, both on a daily and weekly basis, is limited. my own." Perhaps so, but when you negotiate, it is Oll the (Contil/ued on page 2) A Frank Chat With Solo Vocalists (Continued from page 1) fore a Basic Agreement is signed, its provisions are approved (f) Required rehearsal hours have been decreased, and the by the Shop Committee. At membership meetings, a vote is compensation for rehearsals increased. invariably taken on issues in which there is a difference of (g) Your union has been attempting to include into as opinion. Every important decision that your executives make many Basic Agreements as possible a clause providing for which involves your welfare is approved by the Board of Gov· coverage under the Social Security Law. ernors. Lastly, the AGMA offices are always open to an artist 3. "I'm too busy." Too busy to be concerned with your who may have a problem or grievance. It would seem in the own welfare? Unless you come to the union office or a meet final analysis, that any opinion to the effect that AGMA is ing, and offer some criticism or suggestions, how can we pos not run democratically is based on insufficient information on sibly know what your problems are? Perhaps a Basic Agree how the union functions. ment has omitted something of importance to you, but if you 5. "I don't receive enough employment to earn a living. don't bring it to our attention, how can we make any improve How can you expect me to be active in union affairs when I ment? have a personal problem?" We realize that lack of employ· ment produces a personal problem, and can paralyze an art AGMA Is Run Democratically ist's enthusiasm. But won't you please come to us, and tell us of your circumstances? Perhaps methods of increasing em 4. "I don't think the union is run democratically." Well, ployment could be discussed at a membership meeting, and let's see. Your elected delegates to last January's Convention some affirmative action approved. approved a new Constitution under which the union has been operating, and in a nation-wide referendum, it was over Collective Effort Necessary whelmingly approved by the membership. As provided in the We strongly urge each AGMA soloist to abandon the illu Constitution, each officer and Board member who will assume sion that his individualism precludes interest in union affairs. office on January 1, 1949 will have been nominated by petition Advances in wages and working conditions are won by the or a Nominating Committee, and elected by secret ballot. You collective participation of a union's members. We hope that have just been given an opportunity to nominate by petition at the general membership meeting to be held on December delegates of your area to the Second Annual Convention. 28th, that principals will turn out in such numbers as to con Your Shop Committees are elected by yourself, and your union fir:n the co~fidence we have in their potential enthusiasm and officials always hold shop meetings prior to negotiations. Be- unIon-conSCIousness. More On Social Security Board Discusses The article below was prepared for some benefit will be paid to you at the AGMA members by the Federal Security age of 65, or to your family upon your Principal's Problems Agency, 11 West 42 Street, New York death, no matter at what age you die. City. Some employees may become eligible At two recent meetings, AGMA's In the last issue of AGMAZINE, the for benefits with fewer than 40 hours Board of Governors devoted the major need for coverage under the Social Se of coverage, depending upon their age. portion of time to a thorough analysis curity Act for employees of non-profit A free booklet, describing these bene of the relationship of principals to organizations was pointed out. Until the fits, is printed by the U. S. Govern AGMA. law is amended however, those of our ment and is available to our members. It was felt by the Board that specific members who work only for non-profit (Mr. Kindler has a small supply at the steps should be taken to encourage more organizations cannot secure for them union office.) selves and their families anv of the What should an artist do to safeguard solo vocalists to participate in union af benefits provided by the law .. his possible benefits? First, he should fairs. As a result, a resolution was ap There is a considerable number of ask delegate whether the producer or proved in which the following steps artists who are employed, at least part company for whom he is working is re were authorized;- of the time, by companies and produc quired to file returns under the Social 1) A series of articles will appear ill ers, who are required to report the earn Security Act. Second, he should check AGMAZINE (of which the current edi ings of their employees under the Social up each year to see whether he has re torial is the fi~st) explaining the duties Security Law. Because such employ ceived his proper credit for the previous and responsibilities of principals and ment is generally only a small part of year. A government postcard is avail the benefits and protection derived from an artist's employment, it is in their able for this purpose (see Mr. Kindler). membership in AGMA. own interest to see to it that they are Third, he should keep an accurate rec being properly credited. It is also im ord of his earnings and should check 2) Soloists meetings will be called in portant that they become familiar with his own record against the Social Secur opera companies at the beginning and the Social Security Law so that they ity records. end of a season, and whenever neces may avail themselves of any benefits to Social Security may mean insurance sary, during the season. which they may become eligible. and protection for you and your fam 3) A questionnaire will be sent to Every time you are paid $50.00 in ily. It will pay you to learn more about principals requesting information con wages in a calendar quarter, you re it. Visit your nearest Social Security cerning their problems. ceive one unit of credit.

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