Issue: July 2009
After a spirited discussion on April 22, the members of the Chicago Symphony overwhelmingly approved a small package of contract modifications. The package includes a temporary 2.5% reduction in base scale (for 104 consecutive weeks), temporary changes in the hiring of subs, two additional free concerts in the next two years, postponing the filling of four vacancies, and one small change to tour … [Read more...]
Issue: April 2009
Late last spring, as the SFS negotiating committee was gearing up to meet with management, it seemed like it would be a straightforward negotiation. The orchestra’s finances were in excellent shape, as confirmed by a Ron Bauers audit (one of the healthiest arts organizations in the country, he reported) and by our board president, John Goldman (at the December 2007 Annual Meeting—six months before … [Read more...]
Issue: October 2008
Utah Symphony—Negotiations and Settlement Update by Gary Ofenloch and George Brown How does an orchestra’s negotiating committee approach asking management for an extra raise (over and above the CBA guarantee) when the orchestra is facing not only a heavy debt burden but also a residual power vacuum at the top of its administration? The Utah Symphony musicians faced just such a dilemma this … [Read more...]
Issue: March 2008
I have certainly seen my share of stressful and contentious contract negotiations in my 35-year career with the Houston Symphony. My last stint on the negotiating committee was in 2003, the negotiations that resulted in the first strike called by the musicians of the Houston Symphony. During those negotiations, our negotiation committee held out until March against pressure from musicians to … [Read more...]
