Musicians Union seeks Omicron relief for freelancers
NewsStatement by the MU, just in:
The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on the Government to account for the urgent needs of its members in the coming weeks due to the impact of the Omicron variant and the subsequent rise in COVID-19 cases.
Recent developments are already having a noticeable impact on musicians’ ability to work, and the number of no-shows and cancellations in the live performance arena is becoming particularly alarming.
Whilst the Union welcomes the Treasury’s announcement of £1bn in financial support for businesses in the hospitality and leisure industries, the lack of provision for freelance workers leaves the majority of MU members uncertain about their future.
Early results of the Union’s latest research reports that 86% of musicians have had work cancelled due to the surge in cases related to the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Plus 41% of musicians state that they expect to earn under 25% of their usual income during the next two months, while the results show 75% expect to earn less than 50% of their regular income…
All west-end shows are currently cancelled. Shocking that a contract for 8 shows a week is somehow “freelance” work and can be cancelled for zero pay.
Is it true the London Symphony and Philharmonic are per service orchestras too?
Yes. If memory serves, only the BBC SO and Covent Garden Orch are year/round employed.
Maybe this time around, they can support the musicians and performers unable to work instead of providing huge grants to the big agencies who continued to operate, still taking their cut of their clients’ depleted fees. What was it Askonas Holt was awarded, remind me?