Wim's Letter& PTG's Future

FREDIEBOY@aol.com FREDIEBOY@aol.com
Mon, 13 Nov 1995 23:03:45 -0500


Two very nice and thoughtful letters appeared on pianotech on Nov.12,1995.
Both letters dwelt on the same subject: PTG. Both letters showed deep
concern- enough concern that it brought me in to give my thoughts on the
problems of PTG. Even though I am not a member of PTG, many of PTG's actions
have ramifications that effect my business, such as their Student Program. I
Disagree with technician  Mitch Kiel who states, "I thought we'd agreed that
Pianotech would be a discussion area for piano technical matters and that PTG
political issues would be avoided."             I, personally, never agreed
to any such action. I believe that there is more to a `technician then butts
& flanges. We should understand our customers, our fellow technicians, and be
aware of our surroundings. We should have a  better relationship with the
manufacturers, and the supply houses so they can better understand our needs,
and we can better understand their problems. Friendship between technicians
is a must, if we are to make a better life for ourselves.
I was a member of PTG for 16 years from 1960 to 1976. I was past president of
the Philadelphia Chapter, the third largest Chapter in the United States. We
paid over $5000 a year into the National as dues. I was a delegate to the
national convention for about 10 years, and I had gone to 13 conventions. The
reason I am declaring this is to let you guys know that I understand PTG. I
was there.

A HISTORY LESSON:
Back in the late teens or early twenties, an organization called the National
Association of Piano Tuners was formed. I believe this was the first
organized group of piano tuners ever to get together. After about fifteen
years, internal fighting caused them to break up as a strong national
organization. A few of the NAPT chapters did stick together in the mid- west.
After World War Two there arrived on the scene another piano technicians'
organization, The American Society of Piano Tuner Technicians.It cost $5.00 a
year dues to be a member and anyone could be a member.You did not have to be
a piano technician. Actually it was the Spinet piano which was the cause of
ASPT getting started. (But that's another story) We now go into the late
forties. There was a great deal of antagonism from both organizations towards
each other. Some members favored a merger;others opposed it. In 1955 and 1956
there were some meetings held between leaders of the two organizations to
reconcile the differences, but it proved impossible. Then in 1957 and 1958
they again got together to find grounds to achieve a single organization.
In the summer of 1958 the merger took place in Washington D.C. with the
Presidents of the two dissolved Nationals serving together as co-presidents
for the first year merger. A Constitution Committee was appointed to define
principles and draft by-laws for the new Piano Technicians Guild - PTG.
In 1964 under the management of Jim Burton, National Secretary, the National
became very strong. More and more power was taken from the general membership
and given to the PTG National Office. Anger was developed at the 1994
Convention when Jim Burton hired a group called Wedgewood to run the national
convention. One of the complaints I personally remember was that 2 hot dogs
cost each member $35.00. There was so much anger that Jim Burton had to
promise that Wedgewood would not be rehired for the 1995 convention in
Hollywood, Florida. When the news came out that Burton had lied to us about
rehiring Wedgewood the north east exploded. Letters went out, chapter
newsletters went out some as large as 16 pages. Meetings between chapters and
states were set up. A boycott of the 1995 convention was off and running, As
I remember it only 245 paying members showed up. Also, Jim Burton and the
National President of PTG a technician by the name of Kelly, were brought up
on charges before the national Council. Without enumerating all the problems
and there were many, some members felt there was no longer a place for them
in PTG as independent Businessmen. So in 1997 a group of technicians made up
of only PTG members struck out on their own. Within six months MPT was
established in thirty eight states. Included in their membership were three
past National Presidents of PTG and three past Reginal Vice Presidents. They
called themselves the Master Piano Technicians of America. "MPT". The main
differences of the two organizations are: MPT has no students. A weak
national, while all the power stays with the chapter and the individual
member. Each chapter  is as close to being autonomous as is possible.
Membership dues is only $25.00 a year. National conventions have never
charged over $65.00 for members and non members alike. There is never a
charge for the wives and friends to attend the classes. MPT is an
international organization. It is incorporated, and registered as a non
profit organization with the state of New Jersey.
So as they say "what goes around, comes around". We are once again back to
two organizations. I personally would like to see five organizations of piano
technicians, so each organization would be better tailored to the individual
technician's needs.
Sorry about being so long winded, but this theme just hit my button.
Fred Weinstein

Fred Weinstein




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