Bill's statement above sums up the whole musician/union situation PERFECTLY. The union will serve the members of the Philadelphia orchestra as well as the members of The Tonight Show's band but for the average weekend warrior or even the full-time restaurant/bar/hotel lobby player, it is nothing more than a (barely legal) tax authority. During my playing time in the Philly area, the union rep was the closest thing I ever knew to a real-life mobster. And yes, there are some 'good' unions (Teachers union, Nurses union, etc.) so just as Bill said, it can be a two-edged sword.

chas