David Agnew Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) Vice-President
From the day I became a professional musician it was important to be in a union. The pride, confidence and sense of belonging, as part of a unique group of creative and talented artists was as significant as the university degree I left behind.
I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who took an active part in Shop Stewarding, documenting issues and demanding meetings with hierarchies to discuss, negotiate and arrive at compromises that improved both the quality of our work environment and pay, as well as the meaningful productivity for our employers. Most of the time it’s protracted, particularly nowadays, with layers of management and their demands to battle through, but collective agreement has to be reached or the work doesn’t get done. It’s never easy, the critical element is to keep turning up, insisting on talking, and being clear on the issues.
Since the last financial collapse and Covid particularly, the music and entertainment business has changed. People want more for less, and worse, some want everything for nothing. Musicians have a habit of complaining about issues to each other and expecting someone else to sort it, because they’re too busy trying to make a living.
The reality is in order to maintain our status, outline our needs, achieve proper respect for what we do, everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, has to be active. Document your issues, write them down, send them to the relevant shop steward and follow up with solutions that include all parties involved. Make sure you’re in the union. The Musicians Union of Ireland. The MUI.
David is the editor of Sound Post, a publication for Musicians’ Union of Ireland members. You can read the summer issue of Sound Post here.
Photo: Mark Stedman (RTE)