Musicians launch trade union

The union, which took three years to come to fruition, is being run by an interim committee headed by Patrick Arnold and its aim is to protect the specific interest of musicians in Trinidad and Tobago and is open to everyone.

At the launch, Arnold said MUTT will start with a base of 7,000 members, (referring to pan players) and grow from there. “I know it is no easy task but we are up for the challenge,” said Arnold.

MUTT is registered with the Recognition and Certification Board under the Trade Union Act, Chapter 88:02. The union will negotiate for hours of work, pay and other conditions of employment for its members such as Clive Zanda and Joey Lewis and other entertainers.

President of NUGFW Robert Giuseppi said he was, “Pleased to see the formation of MUTT — it’s the only union whose members have created an instrument.” Giuseppi went on, “Musicians are the spirit and rhythm of Trinidad and Tobago and this union must speak for the cultural soul of this country. We have the greatest variety of music in the world and this could be the biggest union in this country. We are the land of musicians.”

Two of Trinidad’s longest standing musicians Lewis and Clive Zanda were present at the launch and expressed their pleasure in seeing a musician union get off the ground.

Lewis said this is the fourth or fifth musician union he has been invited to be a part of since he started playing music and he hopes this one really gets going.

Zanda offered words of advice saying, “Musicians have to raise their level be it in education or playing so that they have bargaining power and all musicians should respect the bargaining arm of the union.”

In closing Giuseppi told the interim committee that entertainment is a billion dollar business and they should offer their membership total quality representation as it is time for them to reap the benefits of their talent.

He also hinted that the National Trade Union Centre (NATUC) would guide MUTT and make sure they are on the right track.