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Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

  • 1.  Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-01-2019 16:23
    This post was made in error. We apologize for the inconvenience.

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  • 2.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-02-2019 09:17
    I hope I’m not the only one who is bothered by job postings like this one from Texas Tech.
    The post requires demonstrated knowledge and skills, of course, along with working nights and weekends, as needed (I’ve been there. It’s a big deal.) I am objecting to two aspects of this post.
    The minimum compensation shown ($15.00 an hour) is frankly insulting. The fault here lies of course with the institution that submits, but it’s a disappointing commentary on how some people in the world view the nature and the value of the work we do.
    And what about this dodge seen all too frequently over the last few years - that “compensation will be commensurate with....”. Applying for a position takes time and effort. By not stating a clearly defined range of compensation from low to high, we are asked to enter a possibly lengthy process without the most basic information. There are issues of basic consideration and respect that should nothave to be tolerated in this kind of job posting.
    Should the PTG consider setting up guidelines for job postings?
    (Note: The post I refer to above comes directly from Texas Tech, and not Kevin Fortenberry. I have the greatest respect for Kevin, who is a credit to our entire profession.)

    Sent from my iPhone




  • 3.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-02-2019 10:36
    There's no question the minimum compensation listed for the position is laughably out of sync with the job description, and with the qualifications that are required. Even allowing for ignorance of the levels of both manual and organizational skill involved in this profession, and the difficulty of acquiring such skills, one would think that a university would consider a $15.64/hr wage for someone with a bachelor's degree and two years experience (required) to be insulting.

    For the information of those administrators reading this, typical tuning fees are in the $100+ range these days. A tuning takes somewhat over an hour. If your employee takes a generous two hours per tuning, that would mean being paid $30 per tuning. Why would any of us want to do that? Leaving aside all the other skills we are talking about.

    As for what PTG can do, there really isn't anything. We're a trade organization bound by the bizarre rules of the antitrust act (as if we are anything like a trust, and as if we have any real power to conspire to restrain any meaningful trade). What we can do as individuals is refrain from applying, or apply stating that the minimum compensation is absolutely unacceptable, and perhaps offering a minimum compensation level without which there would be no point in proceeding to an interview. 

    CAUT jobs are generally grossly underpaid for the skills involved, but they are typically at least above $40K/year plus benefits (which are usually worth more or less an additional 50%, so $60K total compensation), and far higher in most metropolitan areas. IOW, bare minimum $20/hr, and that would be for entry level, generally under supervision of a head tech. For the skill levels and duties described in this posting, I would think double that would be appropriate.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "A mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." Plutarch













  • 4.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-02-2019 13:15
    I take you point, Fred, and thanks for your response. I assume that all CAUT posts are free,  as opposed to an ad paid for in the Journal online on PTG.org. I wonder whether the laws apply to free posts? 

    Sent from my iPhone





  • 5.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-02-2019 13:56
    The question of whether and under what circumstances we can, as members of PTG and writing on a forum sponsored by PTG, discuss compensation is not by any means cut and dried. I gather we can’t discuss how much to charge for our services as self-employed business people, but this is an employment question. My impression is that discussion of compensation by employers is entirely outside the aegis of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

    Not that I am a lawyer with expertise in the area, but I believe there was an attempt to prosecute labor unions under that act, and it was well established that laborers have the right to organize to further their interests. I don’t think there is any practical method to create a CAUT union, but I do think we can at least communicate concerning compensation without running afoul of the law.

    Fred Sturm
    fssturm@comcast.net
    www.artoftuning.com
    http://fredsturm.net
    "Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire." -Gustav Mahler




  • 6.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-03-2019 02:09
    Hello Fred and all,

    PTG's antitrust policy can be viewed here. I won't venture to say if discussing salaries is in violation or not. However, if anyone wants to make certain, one thing that you could do is ask for emails, and start a "group chat" using those emails. That way no one's in violation of the antitrust policy, and you get your question answered. Win-win in my humble opinion.

    Best,

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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (805) 315-8050
    www.professional-piano-services.com
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  • 7.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-04-2019 11:17
    For state employees, including universities and colleges, salaries are often public knowledge and accessible by looking online. That's the way it is in California, and I imagine many other states as well--including Texas. Therefore, discussion of a salary offered at a state school where salaries are made public could not possibly be a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.

    I've never understood how and why our profession has to adhere to antitrust provisions. We're such a tiny occupation, and there are many tuners who are not in the Guild. Their presence as outsiders would naturally offset any scheming and price-fixing by an organized group.

    Margie Williams
    pnotuner@pacbell.net

    "We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing." (Unknown)




  • 8.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-04-2019 13:51
    I've never understood how and why our profession has to adhere to antitrust provisions. We're such a tiny occupation, and there are many tuners who are not in the Guild. Their presence as outsiders would naturally offset any scheming and price-fixing by an organized group.
    Margie Williams

    Even though we are a very small profession, the government watches all professions. 45 years ago a chapter voted to have uniform fees. The Fed jumped all over that chapter. Ever since, we've all been diligent in not mentioning prices charged to the public. Even just talking amongst ourselves what we charge for tuning or repairs could be construed as "price fixing".

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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  • 9.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-04-2019 15:21
    To clarify, the government isn't out there beating the bushes, looking to see if we are violating the Sherman Antitrust Act. However, if a potential violation is brought to their attention, they will investigate. Potential source of such a tip: disgruntled member, former member, someone with an ax to grind. We all know such people.

    And it is real, and MTNA found out to its dismay and considerable expense a few years back. Stupid, yes. But real.

    However, that applies to us as independent business people, possibly conspiring to set prices and whatnot. It does not apply to us as skilled workers seeking employment.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." Twain






  • 10.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-02-2019 14:17
    I understand all this  having retired  a few months ago after 33 years  as Head Tech at Boston University/Music, one option you all may want to consider after gently haranguing   for improved salary is to invest that time instead   into developing a sideline private client  base, CAUT work is generally flexible in timing allowing you to  tune at least 10 private  client pianos a week ...The day job I always referred to as '' the mother ship'' good benefits,  etc etc...  martin.
    www.snowpianos.com

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    Martin Snow
    South Burlington VT
    617-543-1030
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  • 11.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-02-2019 21:35
    Martin -
    Congratulations on your retirement, hopefully with some degree of health and sanity intact. 
    I have to say that, given the breadth of your experience, you should be able to offer quite a bit more perspective than you did.   I find your suggested solution, proffered with not a small amount of judgement (after gently haranguing   for improved salary  [you should]  invest that time instead... ).  Martin, now that you're no longer employed at BU, you could provide an unencumbered  comparison between the position you left and the one that's being advertised.  Apart from the climate as a possible deterrent, would YOU take such a job?   How  many years did it take to achieve whatever level of flexibility you suggest is to be found in CAUT work?  Does Lubbock provide the same level of outside opportunities as Boston?
    I find your lack of disdain for the attitudes  projected by this job presentation mystifying.

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    David Skolnik [RPT]
    Hastings-on-Hudson NY
    917-589-2625
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  • 12.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-02-2019 22:40
    I just can't resist chiming in here. I'm not a CAUT but I do contract work for our local school system and I must say, the pay they list is just plain insulting. I'd have to take a massive pay cut to work for them. The pay is almost as bad at our local university. We had a tech come here and I'm pretty sure he just came here to get a discount on his doctorate. He was gone after he graduated. Not a bad motivation I suppose but certainly doesn't attract quality people that will be there for the long haul.

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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    www.thattuningguy.com
    Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & PianoMeter user
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  • 13.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-04-2019 09:35
    Scott, our local university significantly increased the compensation from what the previous two technicians were offered when they posted the position that I accepted (based on this fact I'll choose not to take the "doesn't attract quality people" as a slight against me ;). If they hadn't I wouldn't have taken the job, especially considering the workload they expect one technician to handle (less concert grands than Texas Tech, but roughly as many instruments total). But even that low amount they were previously offering was significantly higher than $15.64/hr. That is, as Fred stated, utterly laughable and insulting.

    Also, regarding CAUTs supplementing their CAUT work with outside clients - with nearly 100 instruments under my sole care, the majority of which are at least 50 years old, I actually don't have the time to take on 10 outside clients a week (half that, sure). The assumption that a technician will be able to supplement their (full-time) salary with outside tunings is one of the main assumptions damaging any moves towards more just compensation for CAUT positions. If you're asking someone to work a full-time position, they shouldn't have to supplement that salary in order to reach an equitable net salary.

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    Adam Schulte-Bukowinski, RPT
    Piano Technician
    Glenn Korff School of Music
    University of Nebraska at Lincoln
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  • 14.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-04-2019 10:03
    Adam - I'm really glad to hear that! You're a smart guy so I figured you negotiated a better deal for yourself. Thanks also for taking the high road. Yes, I certainly didn't mean my comment to be an insult to you, but I'm guessing that with the pay that was posted they didn't exactly have people beating down their door.

    I'd also like to add that they're very fortunate to have you Adam! 😃

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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    www.thattuningguy.com
    Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & PianoMeter user
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  • 15.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-04-2019 12:03
    As far as I know there were 6 total applicants. My guess is that's probably a pretty average number of applicants for a full time CAUT position at state university music school, but I'm not sure.

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    Adam Schulte-Bukowinski, RPT
    Piano Technician
    Glenn Korff School of Music
    University of Nebraska at Lincoln
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  • 16.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Posted 08-04-2019 12:49
    I see I was holding some wrong assumptions about what happened at UNL. Thank you for being willing to clarify.

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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    www.thattuningguy.com
    Tunic OnlyPure, TuneLab & PianoMeter user
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  • 17.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-03-2019 11:35
    Martin,
    You certainly give good advice to someone wanting to delve into the employed caut field. It is true that some degree of moonlighting at retail rates can make up for the generally low salaries, and usually does. This is particularly the case if you have an exempt position. If you have good chops and are efficient, you can complete the needed "full time" work within less than a 40 hour week, with exceptions for particularly busy times (when you may need to put in 60), thereby leaving time and energy to make the model work financially. 

    For 'non-exempt" (i.e., covered by labor standards act), there is far less flexibility: you have to put in your hours, be physically present, at least officially. Me, I have been part time all along. At 1/2 time, I did two 10 hour days, and had the rest of the week to make money. At 3/4 time (past 7 years) that has been much more of a stretch (I can't handle 10 hour days any more). I know of at least two places where a full time job is shared by two half timers. That is certainly a good option.

    Still, while I don't expect caut salaries to ever be high enough to compensate for the level of knowledge and skill, there are limits to what can be considered even marginally acceptable. We should be viewed at least on the level of master electrician/plumber/carpenter as opposed to apprentice or helper. Or, in the academic world, on the level of non-tenure track lecturer rather than temporary part time adjunct instructor. We have at least that level of importance, and the job requires a complex skill set and overall knowledge and organizational chops, pretty rare to find.

    I do understand that the minimum listed in the job posting is based on HR classification, and presumably that figure is the bottom of the grade. One hopes the top is at least $30/hr. and that a new hire would be offered somewhere in the middle. Still, listing such a figure is not likely to be a good way to attract even minimally qualified candidates.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    University of New Mexico






  • 18.  RE: Positon at Texas Tech University School of Music

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-03-2019 04:47
    Dear Fred,  Pure Gold.