The local I belonged to for 35 years is just N. of NYC. I guess you're saying $33 (cash) an hour is not a living wage today. You may be right. I don't really know. When I retired from teaching Band in Manitoba in 1996 I figure I was making under $27 Canadian per hour before taxes, so that's about what, $16/net?. 15 years later, you may be correct that the $33 is quite low (keep in mind the recent C$ upswing). Am curious, what is the union scale in Alberta?
Assuming you are right about the $33 an hour being way low, there must be many folks in both countries working at different jobs for way less than that. Either way, you must admit it's not quite the same as DMing for free or tips. As far as my fellow musicians in the band(s) down there, I would imagine doing a 20 minute or less drive, working 3 hours and making $100 sounds pretty decent. My decision to travel down there and related costs has nothing to do with the job, however. Everyone else lives around there. So the cost of my personal trip doesn't devalue anything except my bank account. But you may well be right about the scale of pay. I never considered it low.
Karibelle, Actually, I did some checking on union scale for NYC local 802. And you'r right, it's more like $300+--for studio work and other high profile/top of the line gigs. Here is where I think we have "argued" for nothing. From your post back there, you mentioned your husband's "real" job is a rock musician, and quite a successful one. This probably puts him at a way different level of pay expectation (union or otherwise) than me, a guy who plays clarinet in "summer in the parks" concert bands. The money I make, I assume, at least according to our local, is right up there with casual concert band players' union scale nation wide. We all know that sports heroes make millions, but there is a minimum base salary in the pro leagues, as well. Perhaps we also agree that there should be a "minimum wage" acceptable for dive pros? If your husband has cornered the market somewhat and makes a living at it that's great. I got into teaching because my classical expertise would be not much help in doing that. I think we really agree way more than disagree. We can throw figures around forever anyway. It's been interesting.