July 2004
 Female musician Jamie Anderson Jamie Anderson is a
singer-songwriter-comic who's toured since the 80's, singing songs
about food, sex and mama. She's also taught songwriting and other music
classes at Duke University, festivals and through arts organizations.
Can be bribed with chocolate. "...solid songwriting and engaging stage
presence." -- Billboard
Jamie's website: JamieAnderson.com
(editor's note..) Jamie wrote the following article as a post to
the Gogirls forum and we believe that this info is invaluable to lots
of indie musicians!
Re-printed with permission by the author
Music Unions - LOCAL 1000
by Jamie Anderson
I know I've blabbed about my union here before but it bears
repeating.
If you're a touring musician and you'd like free legal advice,
affordable health insurance, instrument insurance, a pension, and other
bennies, you need Local 1000. If you're a US citizen who plays in
Canada, they can help you. Likewise, if you're a Canadian who wants to
play in the US. I have disability insurance for the first time in my
life because of this union. And a pension! And it's all affordable.
Sorry if I sound like a bad commercial but really, I can't believe
that more of you don't belong. Maybe you have some of the fears I did
before I joined. I'll list a few and let you know the reality.
1. Fear:
I'll have to make bookers pay me some ungodly union wage just to
play. Reality: Scale wages are currently $220 for a large concert, $110
for a small concert and $70 for an opener. Does that sound like too
much to you? And know that there are no union cops ready to bust you if
they think you've played a large concert instead of a small one. You
make that decision.
2. Fear:
I'll be buried in paperwork. Reality: I filled out ONE form to
join. I file a simple monthly form to pay my pension. (I'm incorporated
so I pay into my own pension.) A few times a year the union sends me a
bill for my work dues.
3. Fear:
It'll cost too much. I already make so little as a touring
performer. Reality: It costs a one time fee of $100 US or $130
Canadian. Work dues are very reasonable. My last bill for work dues
came to $56 and that was for two months. (You pay a percentage of your
income so that amount does vary.)
4. Fear:
It's just a small bunch of disorganized musicians. Reality: Nope.
I've never had a problem getting answers to questions. I once had a
legal problem that got a response the next day. The union is affiliated
with the AFM and AFL-CIO; very large unions.
5. Fear:
I don't play music full time so I won't qualify. Reality: You just
have to be a musician who tours. Period.
Get more information at Local 1000. I can answer questions but it's
best to read the website first. You can also talk to one of the board
members. Their addresses are on the website.
And in case you need further incentive, check out who else is a
member: Bernice Johnson Reagon, Toshi Reagon, Ani Difranco, Janis Ian,
Kim and Reggie Harris, Greg Brown, Pete Seeger, Ember Swift, Peter
Yarrow, Laura Love, Tret Fure and many more.
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