How a powerful union and its leader reshaped American performance and labor
The Musicians and Petrillo dives into the rise of a major American musicians’ union and the lasting impact of its leadership. It explains how contracts, wage scales, and industry rules were shaped, from theaters and hotels to radio and the recording world. The book shows how collective bargaining, enforcement, and public campaigns influenced when and how musicians work, and how debates over technology and employment touched every stage.
- Discover the tactics used to organize a complex fast-changing industry, including contract filing, wage scales, and rules for rehearsals and performances.
- See how strikes, boycotts, and legal battles affected venues like hotels, theaters, and radio stations.
- Learn about the unions’ approach to unemployment, funding for health coverage, and efforts to broaden work opportunities for members.
- Understand the role of leadership, governance, and public perception in shaping labor relations for musicians.
Ideal for readers of labor history, music industry history, and studies of mid-20th-century American culture, this edition offers a clear look at how a single union and its leader influenced a national art form.