10/03/2004: Musician's Union of Ireland (MUI):	Shane Smith
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Hey, here's some MUI info Musician's Union of Ireland is just over 1 year old and the idea is to provide professional full-time/part-time musicians with professional representation. But let's get straight 2 the chase, most people ask "what can it do for me?". Have u ever been given bad treatment by a venue, promoter or agency? If not, you are either inexperienced or a lucky son of a... If you have, what outcome have you acheived with the persons involved? Most of the time you are told exactly where to go, the old "like it or lump it" approach. Now I'm not saying that membership of MUI will prevent anybody from getting the runaround but I do believe in strength in numbers. EXAMPLE: Band X are due to perform at Venue A. The band arrive at the venue to find another band already set up. Band X are told they will have to leave. This infamous practice, known as "double-booking" is just one of the many situations I have come across where the band in question are sent on their way unfairly. If Band X were members of MUI, they would have an OFFICIAL BODY to pursue their case. Now imagine the following week, the same thing happens except to a different band, Band Z. Now a pattern firmly emerges with Venue A, and by simply negotiating with the professional trade union, Venue A will have the opportunity to avoid any possible industrial action. There is not a venue in the country that wants that kind of PR on its doorstep and although an official picket should be a last resort, it can be used as leverage when dealing with this kind of situation. Furthermore, this is why MUI needs more members than it currently has. There are close to 300 members and we hope to double that in 2004. The more musicians in MUI, the bigger the voice and the more strength MUI has when dealing with any issue. I have joined the committee of MUI only a few days ago and I have no intention of getting too involved in the classical or orchestral end of things, I'm working on the other side of things (the "younger" genres if you like) but should any of these members have a grievance that cannot be solved they would have my full support and the full support of the MUI. Previous issues raised at the AGMs include: -RTE rates of pay for freelance musicians -The Late Late Show rate of pay (EUR200 even for an 8 piece band!) -MUI acting as a "middleman" but not as a profit-making agency to book acts etc -Allowing the publishing of rates of pay, albeit guidelines Forthcoming- -MUI/SIPTU Travel Insurance (already agreed) -MUI Instrument Insurance (already agreed) -MUI Member discount in music stores etc. Basically I am trying to make this sound as attractive as possible but one thing we should remember is this "Ask not what your union can do for you, but what you can do for your union." And it is YOUR union! I know it sounds a tad poetic but there is enough situations you can encounter within the music industry where the little guy gets screwed and sent packing. Wouldn't it be nice to have a voice? I have forms, and can get more easily enough so you could email me your postal address(es) or meet me at some stage. Don't just complain to your Ma that the big bad guy ripped you off, fight your own case! Yours sincerely Shane Smith Bluetide Music Entertainment Tel 086 407 5449

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