What will you do when you need to end it?
You have had relationships that have needed to end. We all have.
When we experience that time, the path ahead is clear - "I'm sorry, this isn't working out, it's not you... it's me."
Do you know what to do when the way out looks like this?
"This Agreement may be terminated prior to the 350-day period only under the following circumstances: (i) if I want to terminate the Agreement in my sole discretion and I let you know about it, the Agreement shall be terminated upon your receipt of the notice; (ii) if you and I mutually agree, in writing, to terminate this Agreement, or (iii) if, after you have completed at least 180 days on board the ship I've booked you on, you send me a written notice 30 days in advance of your intended termination date. You can't termine while on board in the middle of an assignment, or if, at the time of the proposed termination, the you have a future gig that I've confirmed with the cruise line. If you decide to terminate this Agreement as provided in (iii), you will pay me 50% of the commission you owe me for the days remaining on this Agreement in a lump sum, which will be calculated at your current salary, no less than two weeks prior to the proposed termination date. Also, because I'm upset that you left me, you will be unable to re-hire me for two years."
Remember that yesterday's contract would last for 350 days. So, to get out of this contract, we'd have to wait for that period to expire. If we want to get out before, the above terms apply. Here's what we'd need to do:
I, the agent, can terminate my contract with you for any reason. Also, I may terminate the relationship at any time, as long as I inform you in writing, and you indicate you've received my notice.
If you and I mutually agree to end the contract. What's the likelihood of me letting you go from such a lucrative deal?
After you've worked 180 days onboard, you may end the contract provided you've given me a 30-day advanced notice.
You may also not end the relationship while you're onboard a ship. Or if,
I have booked you on another assignment with the cruise line.
If you decide to end the relationship, you will pay me 50% for whatever is owed to me. If you have 180 days left to go, you will pay me 50% of the 10% you owe me for the 180 days you have left on the gig. You must also pay me that money in a lump sum. The money is due no less than two weeks from the termination date.
Is this indentured servitude or what? Keep in mind, this is inspired by an actual contract that musicians, like you, sign.
Questions I have for the agent:
Why would I pay you 50% of whatever commission you feel is owed for work you did not do?
If I hire you to provide me with a service, find me a job, why are you making it more difficult for me to quit than you? Shouldn't this be the other way around?
Who are you working for? Me, the person paying you? Or yourselves?
What if we created a legal defense fund, a non-profit, to negotiate musicians out of these agreements?
Or, better yet, created a free, direct, and commission-free way to get to an employer?
The possible future appears inviting relative to the grim present: what will the musicians who work under these conditions do when they want to get out?
