Theatre Design & Technology - Dec 1965 - 20

If the compensation is paid in a number of segments

WELFARE

which do not correspond to the hours or days worked

(see item

Examples:

above), the idea is usually to enforce

completion of the season. The employee who leaves
after his first or second payment will not have been
paid in full for his services.

A.
sick

"The Employee shall be entitled to one day's salaried

leave

for each

month

of employment. Sick

leave

days

during

sickness

which

Employee con not

the

perform

because

of benefits or insurance poymen s resulting from tho

related in some way to time. And the minimum work-

Inlury.

ing time, or "call," for piecemeal work is often four

and

If percentages govern the

compensation, a mathematically clear and automatic

Compensation

systems

which

the

Employer

sublect by low. During the Term of Contract, the Employer sholl
also

poy

011

toxes

and

other

payments

which

are required

accordance with the provisions of any or all of these lows,"

fixed wage plus an additional sum tied to the production's earning power.

illness or

B. "The Employee sholl benefit from all compulsory State
Federal Social Securi y, Old Age, and Unemployment In·

surance

However, profit-sharing schemes a Iso occur frequently. These plans may be stated in terms of a

or injury, the can ract may be terminated without loss

Many theatre contracts are for a fixed compensation,

hours.

may be

accumulo ed up to a rotol of (NUMBER) days. After (NUMBER)

C. "The Employee may demand at any time that the Employ·
er give proof tho
he mcintains
Employer's Liability Insurance."

Workmen's

Compensation

the

formula is desirable.

II.

GUARANTEE

employer-held insurance, or if the employee does not

maintain his own policies,

Discussion:

If
Example:

"The

Employer agrees and guarantees thot under this contract

there

question

concerning

extent

an appropriate

clause

should be written. Employees performing services
which involve unusual risks should request addition-

he will give the Employee not less than (NUMBER) consecutive
(DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS) work, commencing with the dote of the

the first public performance. Layoffs during the Term of Contract,

liability and other insurance for their own protection.

unless

protection.

Most

theatre

companies

maintain

caused through the fault of the Employee, shell not be

counted as port of any guarantee period.,,9

Theatre unions require employer payments for various

II.

benefits. Health insurance, life insurance, vacation

Discussion:

Since the employee has given up other employment
opportunities to work for this employer, he is often
guaranteed a minimum amount which will be paid
regardless of the length of his employment.

funds, retirement pensions, and the like may be
handled directly by the union. Here, the employer is
required to withhold a part of the employee's salary
or contribute an extra amount to the "welfare fund."
The unions vary in their demands for Social Security
or Unemployment coverage. They may insist that the

TERMINATION PROCEDUR ES
I.

employer join the "elective" or voluntary system
available in his area. They may also suggest that,

Examples:

where applicable, the employer cover his employees
A.

party

"The

shall

contract may

give

the

be terminated at

other

party

any

(NUMBER

time

DAYS,

either

WEEKS)

written notice."

B. "The Employer's failure to pay all sums owed to the
Employee at the time and place that they are due and payable
permit

will

the

Employee

to terminate

this

agreement

without

additional notice. Employee termination for Employer payment
de oult does not relieve the Employer of any financial or other
obligotlons guaran eed by he terms of his contract."
C.

"Incompetence, intoxication on duty, or dishones y sholl

be couse for summary dlsmlssal."
D.
war,

according to the elective provisions available under
the New York State system.
Unions can demand that company managers maintain
safe and sanitary conditions, as well as reasonable
safeguards whi Ie their employees are working. In
addition

to clauses which refer to specific areas

(e.g., housing) or crafts (concrete or marble floors
cannot be used for dancing), these provisions cover
safe entrance and exit, toilets and wash basins,cots

"If

a performance

illness

the principal

mode

impossible by acts of God,

performer or

star,

occident,

strikes, riot, or other causes beyond the control of either

fire,
party,

backstage
tection

for

ill

performers,

personal

property,

lockers
etc.

for the pro-

Actors'

Equity

the contract may be ermjno ed WI h S AMOU T, NUMBER OF
DAYS, WEE S additional compensa 'on. The Employer woll ,hen

also refers to the Safe and Sanitary Code adopted by

pay

that organization the League of New York Theatres.

for all

services already performed, reimburse all expenses

Incurred, and
gagement . ..

II.

provide

transportation

bock

place

en·

Discussion:

ROOM AND BOARD

Example:

If no termination method exists, the obligated party

"A suotoble, clean, and qUiet (DOUBLE. SINGLE) ,oom shall be

who is unwilling or unable to perform may find him-

provIded

self the object of a suit.
There should also be a formula for computing the
amount of compensation due under the specified
termination conditions.

cost

the

Employer, without cost

of'S A .~OUNT

per

week

dutlng

to the Employee, a
the

Term

Three meals a do)-' ..... Ill be prOVided dur n9 ;he some period at

cost of 5 A AOUNT

II.

(antroc
0

pe' week.·'

Discussion:

Summary dismissal (without formality or delay) is

Room and board prOVISions usua lIy apply when the

usually open to arbitration under the union system;

company produces in a location which is not near

the same protection is difficult to attain for others.

the employee's home.

I USITT

THEATRE DESIGN AND rrcHNOU~Y

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