Compensation Change - NH Ongoing Musical Engagement

[habanero10]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? New Hampshire.

I am a musician who lives and works in New Hampshire and have been working without a written contract for almost twelve years. I have been playing music at the same resort hotel for over twenty years. I also currently contract other musicians to work at the same resort. On New Year's Eve, almost two weeks into the "winter ski season" engagement lasting through the end of March, I was informed that meals that had previously been provided by the resort for the musicians would no longer be provided. This has been an ongoing part of our compensation for over the twenty years that I have been working here. The value of these meals has been placed at ~$27.00 per day to equal ~$189.00 per week, a significant portion of our compensation. Is there any legal standing regarding whether the contracting resort can alter an ongoing engagement by changing my compensation with no warning? Do I have any legal leg to stand on in disputing this change? Was this considered a verbal contract? Does the history of this ongoing agreement bear any weight?

 

[FlyingRon]

You don't seem to have any contract verbal or otherwise. They're free to adjust the compensation and the benefits an you're free to walk.

 

[habanero10]

Thank you for your response, FlyingRon. So, just to be clear, you are saying that even though management asked us back for a thirteenth consecutive season, and then changed the terms less than two weeks into the engagement, we have no legal rights?

 

[Antigone*]

That is exactly what Ron is saying.

 

[seniorjudge]

Q: Is there any legal standing regarding whether the contracting resort can alter an ongoing engagement by changing my compensation with no warning?

A: No.



Q: Do I have any legal leg to stand on in disputing this change?

A: No.



Q: Was this considered a verbal contract?

A: No.



Q: Does the history of this ongoing agreement bear any weight?

A: No.

 

[habanero10]

Let's say that I can work out a written contract with the resort. It is my understanding that, in NH, either of us can terminate the contract at any time and for any reason. Would the only purpose of this contract be to at least secure details to prevent changes like what just happened from happening?

 

[FlyingRon]

Let's say that I can work out a written contract with the resort. It is my understanding that, in NH, either of us can terminate the contract at any time and for any reason. Would the only purpose of this contract be to at least secure details to prevent changes like what just happened from happening?

Nope, that wouldn't help either. If either party can terminate at any time, all they have to say is we're changing the benefits. Based on the wording of the contract the contract otherwise may continue in force, or that will act as the action terminating the contract.
The contract only applies up until it is terminated.

Lets say I hire you to play for $100 a night and you agree to play for 3 hours that night.
If there is a termination clause, a year later I can say. Sorry, terminating, I'll offer you $75/night instead. They have to pay you the $100 up until the time they terminated but that is it.

You don't get squatters rights on benefits or a compensation.

 

[habanero10]

OK, OK, sometimes I'm a bit slow on the uptake, but, I get it. Thanks for clarifying.