[CAUT] Getting paid for non-university events

[Becker, Lawrence (beckerlr)]

Rob-

 

For outside events which rent our performance halls and use pianos:

If the make-ready requires us to be here after hours, the groups are
required to hire one of us, so nobody can bring in their own $35 tuner.
Then we bill them directly as private contractors.

 

For the work you have already done, and the university has collected
for, but not paid you:  it might be easiest just to take comp time off
work.  If you want the money, a heads-up from an attorney might prompt
the administration to figure out how to work that system, but might also
get you branded a 'troublemaker'.

 

FWIW,

Lawrence

 

 

 

Lawrence Becker, RPT

Piano Technician

College-Conservatory of Music

University of Cincinnati

________________________________

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Rob Goodale
Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 3:56 PM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] Getting paid for non-university events

 

For those full-time university staff techs:

 

I have been getting regularly ripped off by the Performing Arts Center
hall.  As typical I am responsible for tuning and maintaining pianos for
UNIVERSITY business, (i.e. music department staff/faculty, orchestras,
etc).  However, when non-university outside groups come in such as
visiting orchestras, high school competitions, pop bands, etc, I should
be getting paid for my services.  These groups are charged for renting
the hall, use of the piano, AND a charge specifically for the tuning.
Sometimes I even have to come in on weekends or late evenings for these
events.

 

During the last few years there has been virtually a complete turn-over
of the music department personnel.  Only a small handful of people are
still here that were present when I arrived 8.5 years ago, including
administration.  For all practical purposes it is a completely different
school.  Over time my getting paid for outside groups has been slipping
through the cracks.  I have been protesting this for some time and the
current administration hasn't a clue how to fix this.  The chair says
"talk to the department accountant".  The department accountant says
"talk to the performing arts hall administrator".  The PFA says "I don't
know how to fix this, go talk to the chair".  No one wants to take
responsibility for the paperwork to pay me.  I made the suggestion that
I check with some other university techs to see what procedures are used
to pay the tech for these kinds of events.  They agreed that would be
helpful.  Then they would have something to copy and can agree that it
was done correctly.  Whatever.

 

So... for those university techs in similar arrangements, please tell me
the typical procedure for how you get paid for outside events.  At the
moment the hall has been forwarding an annual. (or simi-annual), lump
sum for my services to the music department which goes into the piano
maintenance account.  Then it sits there while I protest and not get
paid.  Last year I discovered someone stole about $3,000 of it to repair
a bassoon!!

 

Thanks for your help,

 

Rob

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