Music Unions-Yes or No? <Tab/> In the mid-1800s musicians in the United States began exploring ways to improve their professional lives. They formed Mutual Aid Societies to provide members with loans, financial assistance during illness or extended unemployment and death benefits. A number of these organizations became early unions serving various constituencies, but problems arose between them due to competition. In 1896, delegates from these organizations gathered at the invitation of …showed first 75 words of 631 total…

…showed last 75 words of 631 total…artist's contract. Finally, unions help cover medical expenses for illness, accident, or injury where many labels just drop artists who may lose their voice or become disabled. Disadvantages, however, include artists may lose work should the venue where they're performing is backed by union or non-union members. Union venues require artists to use singer, band members, or instrumentalists that belong to the organization. Non-union venues, however, may refuse to hire acts that have joined unions.