Health issues

[William Sadler]

>
>There are too many of us feeling taken advantage of and for granted.  There
>are no easy means of solving these problems that I know of so...
>
>I once asked a CAUT, since left, how he decided on how much to do.  His
>answer has been one of my guide posts since.  He indicated he tuned four
>pianos or the equivelant in mechanical work each day.  My personal guide line
>is that I will do not less for the university than I would do for myself in
>private practice (most of the time).
>
>Early heart attacks are no reason to work harder for the U than you would
>want to work for yourself to feed your family, pay the bills, buy insurance,
>and in my case buy an extra car and hire a driver.
>
>Most of us are underpaid.  40% of my take home pay is from ourside sources;
>the local community concert hall, other departments of Rutgers (the
>Department of Music will not subsidize housing, fund raising, alumea,mi,us)
>and a few privat customers.
>
>Since I am required to put in 37.5 hours per week when I have done three
>pianos, repaired on lyre, repalce two strings I have done a days worth of
>work and retire to the shop to work on actions.  During recital season (I
>tune for 220 to 240 recitals or concerts per year) little more than tunings
>get done.
>
>I have 130 pianos to try to maintain, with myself and me as helpers.  I need
>another 1.5 technicans bassed upon climate, age, usage, quality and condition
>of our stock.
>
>There should be a national Tuner Appreciation Day.
>
>     Newton J. Hunt
>     nhunt@gandalf.rutgers.edu
>

Your situation is very similar to mine ....  I think that may be why you get
me...remember when all we cared about was making the perfect piano..?
Perspective is everything.
William Sadler