Sing Out!

Sing Out!

The Meaning of Membership

What is it that makes us take action to change things for the better? How we get to that decision point is different for each of us. In Renée Summers’ case, it was a lot different ...

Renée is a data entry specialist/pharmacy tech for Pima Health Systems and an active member of SEIU Arizona’s Pima Chapter, currently serving as a Resolution Specialist. She’s also a singer in the chorus of one of the state’s leading fine arts organizations – the Arizona Opera.

For years, the Arizona Opera was one step above a volunteer organization. Singers received a small stipend and limited travel assistance in exchange for hundreds of hours of rehearsals, preparation and performances. The singing, music and productions were first-class. The choristers, on the other hand, felt that their talents and love of opera were being taken advantage of.

“We were making around 50 cents an hour and had to pay for our gas and food when we traveled,” said Renée. “After rehearsals, sometimes late in the evening, we had a long walk to our cars, past a homeless shelter, people were getting accosted. There were just a lot of problems that we couldn’t get addressed.”

About 15 years ago, all that changed.
“We were doing an opera – it was set in the 17th century and in one scene there were animals in the town square – goats, dogs and the like. During a break, one of the singers was chatting with the goat trainer and found out the goat was getting paid more than we were! A lot more!” Renée said with a laugh. “We decided then and there that we needed a union.”

The singers contacted the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) and invited them to come help organize the chorus. After a few months of hard work, the chorus voted for the union with only a single dissenting vote.

“The hard part was trying to get management to negotiate,” said Renée. “They were dragging their feet so long that finally we had to boycott one chorus rehearsal to get them to agree to sit down with us. If they hadn’t agreed, we would not have performed – and neither would the musicians who were also union members.”

As a founding member of AGMA’s Arizona Opera chapter, Renée knows that the only way to ensure that your voice at work is heard is to develop a strong and united membership. The choristers unanimity (even the lone ‘no’ vote eventually joined the union) was critical to their success in negotiating a fair contract.

Needless to say, Renée’s experience with the Opera was a motivating factor in her joining SEIU Arizona. “I was on medical leave during the first organizing, but as soon as I found out about it, I signed the card.”

And that’s the meaning – and value – of membership. Whether it’s at the opera, in an office or out in the field, we’ve got to use a strong, clear voice.