Union Sub Preference?
Do orchestras prefer hiring subs who are part of the musician’s union over those who are not? I’m more so referring to full time/major orchestras, but happy to hear about per service ones as well. If this is true, what would be the reasoning behind that?
1323 Views
The answer to this likely depends on the state’s labor laws and the orchestra’s unique union contract. In some orchestras, all the regulars have to be union members, but the substitutes do not necessarily have to be. In some orchestras, you would have to join the AFM local in that city just to play even 1 service as a substitute player. And in other orchestras, union membership is completely optional for all the musicians, regular or substitute (especially in right-to-work states).
In any case, I’ve never heard of an orchestra preferring to hire union musicians as opposed to non-union musicians. Financially, it makes no difference to the orchestra management as the union dues are paid by the musicians, not the orchestras. It’s more likely just a matter of what they are legally required to do. I personally recommend becoming a member of your AFM local in whichever metro area you live. Musicians’ only leverage is in their collective willpower, and the only ones who benefit when musical workplaces are not organized under a strong union are the employers.