Variety (Feb 1907)

VARIETY (The new triple alliance of artists, stage staff and musicians has signed a binding agreement with Frank Mncnaghten, manager of a score of English halls and theatres, and it became operative January 14. Manager Macnaghten agrees to pay one-twelfth salary for each matinee at a twice-nightly hall, also nut to transfer artists or shift the set time without their consent. All disputes are to go before an arbitration board. No commission is to be deducted when artists book direct, and no bias or prejudice held against any artist connected with the variety reform movement. The agreement refers to all existing and future contracts, and such future contracts are to be of the V. A. F. form as soon as supplied. The following is a copy of the charter and agreement entered into between the National Alliance and Mr. Macnaghten, as published in 'The Performer/' issue of January 17, 1007. As VARIETY goes to press an unconfirmed cable report says Macnaghten has broken this agreement.) OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE VARIETY ARTISTES' FEDERATION. *J8, Wellington-street, Strand, London. Telephone No. 6950 Gerrard. Telegraphic Address "Artlfedera, Ix>n<Ton." REPRESENTING THE AMALGAMATED MUSICIANS' UNION. General Office —135, Moss-lane East, Manchester. Telephone No. 5489. Telegraphic Address "Amuse, Manchester." London Office —9, Great Newport-street, W. C. Telephone No. 9827 Central. Telegraphic Address "Amusologia, London." NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF THEATRICAL EMPLOYEES (STAGE). Chief Office — 29, Wellington-street, Strand, London. Telephone No. 8753 Central. Hgreement with Mr. prank macnaghten, King's Chambers, Angel Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire. Dated this Ninth Day of January, 1907. (A)—This agreement, made and entered into this ninth day of January, 1907, by and between Mr. Frank Macnaghten, of the first part, and Frank Gerald, J. B. William* and William Johnson, representing the Alliance, of the second part, whereby Mr. Frank Macnaghten consents, and agrees to observe, pay and adhere to the following rules, terms and conditions, at all the Music Halls, Theatres and Vaudeville Houses under his control in the United Kingdom, as and from the date mentioned in each section. (h)— Terms and Conditions of the Variety Artistes' Federation. (I) That, at all my Halls, or Halls under my control working two shows a night, all matinees shall be paid for at the rate of one-twelfth salary for each matinee. <'2) That no Artiste shall be transferred from one Hall to another without his, her, or their consent. (3) That "time" shall not l>e varied after Monday in each week without the Artistes' consent. ( I) That all disputes shall be referred to a Board of Arbitration, Such board to con- sist of two nominees of Mr. Macnaghten, the undersigned, and two nominees of the Variety Artistes' Federation Executive Committee, and an independent Chair- man, to be nominated by the above four nominees. (5) No commission to be stopped where Artistes are booked direct. {(*) No bias or prejudice to be shown to any Artiste who has taken part in this movement. (7) This agreement to refer to all existing and future contracts, and to become opera- tive on Monday next, January 14, 1907. (S) That the "V. A. F." form of contract be adopted as soon as supplied. (co- Terms and Conditions df the Amalgamated Musicians' Union. It is further agreed that on and from Monday, January 28, 1907, all the Musicians engaged at all the Halls under the control of Mr. Frank Macnaghten shall be members of the Amalgamated Musicians' Union, and shall be paid the Union rate. Rates of Pay. CM 1,()Mhi,\. Minimum. 36s. per week each instrumentalist. Matinees in one show per night houses, full salary ench matinee. In two shows a night houses half salary for each matinee. Ptuu'TNcks.- Prices as per price list, according to district. (d)— Rates and Conditions of the National Association of Theatrical Employees. v It is further agreed that on and from Monday, January 28, 1907, all those em- ployed, in any capacity, in a stage department—that is to say, the stage, flies, electrics, gas, limes, and property departments—at all Halls under the control of Mr. Frank Macnaghten, in the Metropolitan District, shall be members of the* National Association of Theatrical Employes, and such employes shall, excepting the Stage Manager, Master Carpenter, Electrician, or Property Master, who shall be paid a rate of pay higher than the rates specified below—all other employes to be paid as follows: Working Rules and Minimum Rates of Pay. (10) Carpenters. —lO^d. per hour, from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m. Overtime rates: From 5 p. m. to 8 p. m., time and a half; from 8 p. m. to 7 a. m., double time. Satur- days, from 1 p. m., and on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day, double time. v Daymen in the Stage, Flies, Property and Gas Departments. —24s. per week (exclusive of "show money" and overtime), a week's work to consist of five days: from Monday to Friday from 0 to 5 (allowing an hour for dinner), and Saturday from 0 to 1 o'clock noon. Overtime rates: From 5 p. m. to 8 p. m„ time and a half: from 8 p. in. to 7 a. m., double time; from Saturday at 1 o'clock, and on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day, double time. Over- lime for any other period ^*s than one and a half hours to be reckoned as a quarter of a day. Meetrieal Department. —Wiremen, 9Mjd. and 10Vj»d. per hour. Daymen, 24«. per week, exclusive of overtime and "show money." Trading Men in all departments are expected to be paid above this rate. i:.rtra Men employed for odd days, or by the hour, shall charge at the rate of 7d. per hour; overtime rates to be as .stated in Clause 2 of this By-law. X if/fit men.— For any grade, in any department, 2s. per performance in one show a night houses. Leading men, 2s. Gd. and 3s. In houses giving two shows a night, 2s. Gd. per night, and 2s. for each matinee. A special performance ex- ceeding the usual duration of a performance to be charged for extra. Rehearsals to be charged for as follows : Between 7 a. m. and 12 midnight, 2s. for three hours, or any portion thereof; from midnight to 7 a. m., on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day, one hour and a half, or any portion thereof, to constitute a rehearsal. All men engaged to charge from the time of the "call." Where in any theatre or music hall or theatrical workshop better conditions have been established, the members of this branch must uphold same. This agreement to continue in force until the expiration of six months' notice given by Mr. Frank Macnaghten, to the Alliance, or by one of the undersigned, acting for the Alliance. Signed, on the one part, by \ Date, January 10, 1007. (Signed) FRANK MACNAGHTEN. (Signed) FRANK GERALD, General Secretary, Variety ArfistPs' Federation. (Sicm«d> JOSEPH P.. WILLIAMS. General Secretary, Amalgamated Musicians' Union. (Signed) WILLIAM JOHNSON, General Secretary, The National Association of Theatrical Employ**.