What a way to make a living: These musicians are advocating for fair wages

Festival season has almost arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador, and for musicians across the province that means it's time to get to work.

But there isn't a set wage, and that can spell trouble during the busy period.

However, the Newfoundland and Labrador branch of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada is hoping to set a standard so artists and crews in the industry can make a living. 

The province's union local approved a revised schedule of minimum payments on March 31.

"Essentially, it is a jumping off point for musicians to advocate for themselves in their workplace, to ask for more money from their bosses and take themselves very much more seriously in a professional manner in their work," said board member Mahina Graham-Laidlaw.

The union had an existing fee guideline in place, but updates it every three years. 

This year's payment recommendations increased by 30 per cent from the 2022 document. That change was made to reflect the rising costs of living, equipment and various operational costs said executive director Rozalind MacPhail.

The recommended fees are not a set rate of what a musician should make, but rather a starting point for negotiations, said MacPhail.

According to the musicians' union, an emerging musician may start with a minimum of $210 to negotiate a payment for a casual performance at a bar, club or restaurant. The recommended minimum fees vary depending on factors like the job, venue, audience size and available equipment. 

Pay versus passion

MacPhail said musicians are not typically equipped with financial tools. Instead, they write, play and record out of passion.

But, she said, if people push for wages similar to those in other professions, things can change.

"No one tells you right away what you are worth and you have to kind of figure that out for yourself," MacPhail said. "By advocating for fair pay, we're not only supporting our [union] members, but we're also securing the future of the entire music scene."

A musician herself, Graham-Laidlaw says she wants to see people view music as work rather than a hobby.

"There's a lot of deeply ingrained beliefs about art and culture as something that is on the sides of our lives rather than something that is at the centre of what we do," said Graham-Laidlaw. 

"It takes a lot of work sometimes to convince people, but the right people know that music and art is worthwhile."

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