[CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions

[Ed Sutton]

[CAUT] Reasonable job descriptionsSome years ago Nick Gravagne wrote a series of articles on the economics of piano technology. he pointed out that if money is our prime driver, we should know that a mediocre worker in the weapons industry will earn far more, with less effort, than the finest piano technician. If we don't love this work in its own right, we should consider a change of careers.

A friend of mine worked for years in the Stagehands Union. He earned $35/hr in the 1980's with great benefits. What did he do? He emptied garbage cans and rolled astroturf, that's all, all day long. And everyone was angry all day long. [Psychology experiments have shown that when people think too much about money, they get mean-spirited!]

We're talking about making a cultural change in the small culture of college music departments, getting them to stop thinking "pianos need 2 tunings a semester," and to start thinking "Our pianos are a valuable investment which will serve us best with high quality, continuous maintenance." When that change takes hold, everything will get better, not just salaries, but also climate control, parts budget, and attitude about the piano technician.

I think this change is already happening, and that we can assist.

Incidentally, has anyone considered using Steve Brady's new book as a standard in defining high level piano maintenance? This is one of the changes I'm talking about: books are being published that describe a new level of piano service. Books like this weren't available 10 years ago.

Ed Sutton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Porritt, David 
  To: College and University Technicians 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 8:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions


  Jim:

   

  Somehow balance is a most difficult thing.  I think each of us in our personal lives need to work to make our situation, our job, our family better.  Andrew Carnegie's comment below I have also heard quoted in my presence by Winthrop Rockefeller.  It is that drive that causes improvement but taken to the extreme is the seed of greed.

   

  At the same time we also need to learn to be happy with what we have now.  Managing our resources seems to be a skill learned too late in life.  As a friend of mine said, "it doesn't matter how much we make, it's how much we keep."  I really do wish I had learned this when I was much younger and learned to live better with what I had.

   

  Constantly striving for "a little bit more" and sacrificing time with family, time to grow emotionally is the start of greed.  Being too content with what we have is the start of laziness.  Balance is so difficult!!

   

  dave

   

  David M. Porritt, RPT

  dporritt at smu.edu

   

  From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jim Busby
  Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 7:31 AM
  To: College and University Technicians
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions

   

  Jon,

   

  With no true "credentials" that are universally recognized by administrators, and when there are ten mediocre techs  eager to accept CAUT positions at lower salaries, how are we supposed to "stand up" to upgrade the field? I'm not trying to be a jerk, and I'm not offended by your rather blunt statements below, because you're absolutely correct; we "deserve what we are metered out". But if we all did what Jeff did, would that force the issue with the institutions? Not necessarily! Precisely because of what you wrote below; "The attitude of the administration.Dime a Dozen" 

   

  Now, what is the solution? The options seem to be the following;

  1.       Maintain the "status quo"

  2.       Boycott, quit en masse, or otherwise show solidarity and force the issue

  3.       Gradually upgrade each situation individually, one at a time

  4.       Establish a CAUT credential as Eric, Fred and the CAUT committee is  trying to do.

  5.       (A combination of the above #3 and #4)

   

  My choice is #5; to push for a credential while trying to upgrade my own situation. I have been offered twice the money in the private sector, but that would mean I'd have to abandon the only place where I may be able to have some influence on the situation. It would be comparable to someone angrily quitting the union instead of staying in and trying to change it from within.

   

  Now, I really respect Jeff and don't mean to say ill of him quitting, because he needed to quit for many reasons. I like it that he is so relieved and happy with what he's doing now. I have considered doing the same for years. But as I mentioned last month, this job is MUCH more than the salary represented. (My "20 reasons" post) But alas, I still long for more.

   

  When Andrew Carnegie was asked "How much is the perfect wage? What should be the standard salary for anyone?" He responded, "I know the answer. Here is the salary that everyone should have; A little bit more."

   

  Regards,

  Jim Busby

   

   

   

  From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Jon Page
  Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 4:28 PM
  To: caut at ptg.org
  Subject: [CAUT] Reasonable job descriptions

   

    If universities require so much experience

    with concert level tech ability, then they should cough up the bucks and

    pay for it.  Their reputation is on the line. There's got to be a way to

    open these folks eyes to see what they have to lose, but I don't know what

    it is.....

   

  Why should they, their offers are being met by yourselves. JeffTanner

  seems to be the only guy standing up to upgrade this very field.  Kudos.

   

  If you don't have the tenacity to make it on your own in the private sector,

  accept what your are metered out.

   

  Personally I think it is disgraceful what is paid for piano technicians at a

  caut setting where comparable administrative positions (bureaucrats)

  receive a pay grade in multiple factors.

   

  We just have not yet come into our own, just yet.

   

  As long as 'become a piano tuner' is promoted on the back of a pack of matches,

  what kind of credibility can there be.  Alright maybe exaggerated a bit, I haven't

  actually seen the advert.  But you get my intention.   But that's the attitude

  of the administration, Dime a Dozen.

   

  Put in for more money. Get reclassified if it is a state pay grade. Why should

  piano techs. Are p-techs on the same grade as custodians (janitors)?

   

  Even Dr. Phil says, "(In ways) You tell people how to treat you."

   

  Gotta go, have more to say...

-- 
  Regards,

  Jon Page
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/caut.php/attachments/20080909/fc2da94f/attachment-0001.html