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Business News
TUC backs MU campaign to tackle assumption musicians should play for free
By CMU Editorial | Published on Tuesday 11 September 2012
The Trade Union Congress, meeting in Brighton this week, has backed a motion by the Musicians’ Union which states that professional musicians should not be expected to work for free, and will back the MU in its campaign to remind people that musicians shouldn’t be any more expected to provide their services gratis than any other skilled professional.
The MU called for TUC support in this campaign partly in response to the number of Olympic initiatives that asked musicians to give their time without payment.
MU General Secretary John Smith told CMU: “The MU believes that too many people seem to think that music and entertainment are a hobby rather than a career, and are unaware of the years of training and hard work that it takes to become a professional performer. This leads to performers being asked or expected to work for free in far too many instances”.
“This summer’s Olympic Games brought the issue back to the fore. Despite the agreement between LOCOG and the TUC regarding fair terms and conditions, and undertakings from LOGOG to the MU that professional musicians would be paid for their services, the MU uncovered countless examples of its members being asked to perform for no payment at events connected with the Games”.
“It is difficult enough to earn a decent living as a professional musician these days, and, headline artists aside, it is not a highly paid profession. The MU is looking to challenge the idea that musicians should be happy to work for free, and we are delighted that the TUC has joined with us in this campaign”.
