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The Scottish Federation |
page content last updated 21st March 2009 |
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Recommended Salary Scales |
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THE SCOTTISH CHURCHES ORGANIST TRAINING SCHEME (SCOTS) ;
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A printer friendly version of this page is available by
clicking here. Towards the end of 2007 the SFO Salaries Committee
proposed that the 2006 – 2008 salary scales should be extended by one year to
1st January 2009, and this was endorsed by the SFO Committee. It was further decided that publication of
the scales as a separate document (Quartet)
would cease and that they would hitherto be published in SFO News and here on the SFO website. Therefore, the Salaries Committee of the Scottish Federation
of Organists has undertaken a comprehensive review of recommended salary
scales for organists. After much
deliberation, and taking into account rises in the UK Government’s Retail
Price Index and Average Earnings Index and bearing in mind that it will be
the first increase for three years, the Committee has recommended increases
in the scales of 10% from 1st January 2009. The scales were approved by the Annual General Meeting of
the SFO on 10th May 2008 and will be on the agenda for endorsement by the
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May 2009. These scales come into effect on 1st
January 2009 and will remain current until 1st January 2011 by when a further
review and revision will have taken place.
Notes: 1. These scales are
calculated to give an increase of 10% based upon the Retail Price Index and
the Average Earnings Index.
The fee + 50% for
sound recording The fee + 100% for
video recording 4. These scales are
not mandatory. They provide guidelines
for churches throughout 5. If exceptional situations
arise, which are not covered by these scales – for example, the number and
nature of services within the Anglican and Roman Liturgies, or within Church
of Scotland linked charges – then dialogue and negotiation are recommended as
ways towards mutual agreement.
Organists should be prepared to be pro-active in such matters and not
diffident concerning reference to these scales. 6. These scales exist
to provide a working framework and to maintain reasonable standards of
remuneration. If there are musicians
who are prepared to accept alternative remuneration, or to offer their
services on a voluntary basis, then that is a matter for individual decisions
and outwith the scope of these recommendations. 7. Churches that are
experiencing financial difficulties or who do not wish to subscribe to these
scales should not seek to engage deputies who do expect these scales to be
observed. 8. It should not be
necessary to emphasise that the labourer be worthy of hire. Those who benefit from SFO scales should be
competent to do so. 9. Copies of current
Income Tax information kindly supplied by the Church of Scotland’s Financial
Department may be obtained from the SFO Secretary. 10. The current Church
of Scotland Contract for Organists is now an extensive document containing
sections applying to Duties, Salaries, Hours of Work, Holidays, Sickness
Benefits, Expenses, Disciplinary Matters, Redress of Grievances, Protection
of Children and Young People, Dress and Worship. This is now a comprehensive document but there
are areas that are perhaps ambiguous – Dress and Expenses, for example, and
further negotiations may be necessary. Not every church will
adopt this contract and local variations exist. These matters should be checked carefully before
entering into employment. Copies of
the contract can be obtained from the Church of Scotland Legal Department at 11. Information is
being compiled concerning Crematoria fees paid to organists. Such fees currently range from £8.20 to
£19.50. This is a complex area of
enquiry and a profile will be produced in due course. 12. These scales now
remain relevant until 1st January 2011, by when a further review will have
taken place. Relevant and informed
commentary is always welcome and should be addressed to Iain Galbraith,
Convenor, via the SFO e-mail address: publications@scotsorgan.org.uk
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