Details on tentative agreement to end Cleveland Orchestra strike
The Musicians’ Union and Management of The Cleveland Orchestra reached a tentative agreement early this morning for a new three-year contract through September 2, 2012.
The agreement calls for a two-year wage freeze through August 2011, followed by semi-annual wage increases of 3% and 2% in the subsequent year. In addition, the Musicians will donate up to 10 services, which will provide cost relief and additional revenue for the Musical Arts Association. Musicians will increase their medical premium contribution beginning in July 2011.
The agreement was announced by the Musicians’ Committee Chairman, Jeffrey Rathbun, and the Orchestra’s Executive Director, Gary Hanson.
Mr. Rathbun said, “We are very happy that management has heard our message and agreed not to further erode our base compensation allowing us to stay as competitive as possible with the marketplace. We look forward to working together to build our base of support and continue our tradition of excellence.”
Mr. Hanson said, “Both sides worked effectively through a difficult process to reach an unprecedented agreement that will do much to help the Association’s finances going forward. I am very grateful for the Musicians’ passion and abiding concern for the Orchestra’s artistic excellence.”
... The Orchestra’s Miami Residency performances will proceed as scheduled.
Comments
Another sad reflection of the place classical music has in America today. Great cultural institutions like this orchestra may not be around in another couple of decades. Today’s shallow pop-culture swallows up our youth into the vast sea of musical mediocrity and mass commercialism. Perhaps classical music will survive in Europe and Asia. Let’s hope. This country had great promise but we squandered countless opportunities and consequently leave future generations a legacy of debt, social instability and compressed digital music.
Thanks for the comments, even if they've made me feel worse than I already did. TIM
Posted by: John Serocki | January 20, 2010 9:42 AM