OK I’m back with another MAJOR GRIPE!! – Coonass “The Union View”
I’ve been in this business for a long time. I started with Bar bands in the 70′s, toured with major rock bands, toured Broadway shows & worked as a LOCAL all over! My job was either as a Production Rigger, Head Carpenter or as assistant to one of the above!
Let me preface this with: Although the following statement is in my opinion TRUE, I cannot ignore the FACT that there are a SOME Production Crews & localities that have very high quality Tech’s!!
Something that I have noticed getting worse over the years.
The quality of labor, both Local & Touring personnel is turning to SHIT!!
I see new Production personnel that are great Tech’s, BUT, have NO IDEA how to direct a Local Crew!
& also some Production Tech’s that should never have left HOME!!
As for Local Crew, Over the years it seems that some areas or particular Production Labor Companies,
Labor seems to be turning to “DAY LABORERS” rather than using REAL STAGEHANDS!
I’m a UNION Stagehand & I am NOT just talking about NON-UNION workers!
In many jurisdictions there are no “APPRENTICE” Programs!
YES! I do believe that a QUALITY Apprentice Program is ESSENTIAL!
I don’t think any Collage courses teach you the way this business works in the REAL WORLD!
It seems that there are very few people entering this TRADE that have the ability to “LEARN on the JOB”!
This needs to be addressed!
Production Companies & Promoters all over are cutting wages & the excuse that I hear most often is:
“What skills do these people possess? Anyone can do this work!”
Unskilled labor is CHEEP! That’s why salaries for “Road Gig’s” are dropping!
I think EVERY, ROADIE, STAGEHAND, TECH, Whatever you call yourself, needs to REFUSE to WORK for a low wage!!! It will take some time & it will be painful for some. But in the end, These Companies will see that UNSKILLED LABOR is NOT CHEEP! Unskilled Stagehands & Production Crews translate to LOSS OF PROFIT for the COMPANY!! Shows repeatedly starting LATE & CANCELLED SHOWS COST MONEY!
The only way to make our situation better is to have a stronger better trained labor force than the LABOR PIMPS that are driving the wages down!
Hone your skills & be the BEST you can!! Then STAND STRONG with the other men & women that you know are the BEST!! The people that do NOT have the desire to learn the job & do it to the best of their ability? FUCK THEM!!! KICK THEM TO THE CURB & DON”T LOOSE A MINUTE OF SLEEP!!!
These are MY OPINIONS!! So don’t kick KK in the shin when
you see him!!!
Respectfully.
CoonAss!
