KEYBOARDCHAT.COM
The Internet Magazine For Keyboard - Organ Players
& Enthusiasts

A Look At Unions



The Musician’s Union
An insurance consideration

The Musicians' Union was founded in 1893 and has a proud history of service to musicians of all genres, ages and abilities.

It is surprising the number of professional musician’s who do not know the advantages of being a member of the Musician’s Union. They are unaware of the risks they take until it is too late. Apart from legal advice and the recovery of unpaid fees, perhaps the biggest advantage is the provision of free public liability cover of up to £10,000,000.

Free insurance cover for instruments, which should cover the uninsured losses on a claim on another third party insurance policy, is one of many other benefits.

Musician’s can join through the Union’s web site – see link below. The membership fee depends on earnings, the basic amount being £9.67 per month on a direct debit scheme.

All members get a magazine posted to their door at regular intervals to keep them up to date on the music scene. Any musician who is not currently a member should look at the links below and give the subject serious consideration.

In forthcoming versions of Keyboardchat.com we will highlight 36 benefits and reasons for being a member of the MU.

Reason No.1
Career and Business Advice

Career and business advice is available to members seeking to increase their employment opportunities in all areas of the music business.
All benefits and reasons can be seen on the MU web site.
Musician's Union
Membership subscriptions
Musician Union Benefits



Equity
Equity is the only Trade Union to represent artists from across the entire spectrum of arts and entertainment. Formed in 1930 by a group of West End of London performers, Equity quickly spread to encompass the whole range of professional entertainment so our membership includes actors, singers, dancers, choreographers, stage managers, theatre directors and designers, variety and circus artists, television and radio presenters, walk-on and supporting artists, stunt performers and directors and theatre fight directors.

Equity is known to have created much work for its members and a number of organist-keyboard players, who have managed to become members, have had parts as extras in television productions. Those eligible for membership are strictly the professionals mentioned above. Evidence is required of work done and this can sometimes be a chicken and egg situation.

There is a joining fee of £25 and annual subscriptions are based on 1% of annual gross earnings with the minimum being £90 (earnings less than £9,000).

Equity have a very good web site, from which further information can be obtained.

Details on Equity membership



We Want Your Views and Comments on showbusiness Unions

Based on facts and your experiences with the MU or Equity
Give us your comments in the box below:-

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We look forward to hearing from you so that we can give balanced views in a forthcoming version.



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