Late Wednesday (11/4) on the website of Honolulu’s ABC station KITV 4, a report states, “The chairman of the Honolulu Symphony’s board of directors told KITV on Wednesday, that as of last Friday, the symphony did not have enough money to make its payroll. Peter Shaindlin said he hopes to make an announcement about the symphony’s future by the end of the day Friday. He refused to confirm whether the orchestra will file for bankruptcy or postpone part of its season. The symphony has already put off two concerts this weekend. Meanwhile, KITV has learned the musicians’ union filed a complaint with the federal labor board, because the symphony reduced the pay of 25 part-time musicians retroactively, without negotiating with the union. … The symphony has already slashed $1 million from its operating budget this year, paring expenses down to $7 million, [percussionist and union spokesman Steve] Dinion said. He said full-time musicians have taken 15 percent paycuts worth $500,000 of those savings. In September, the symphony repaid employees 15 weeks of back pay, with the help of a $1.8 million dollar advance from the symphony’s foundation’s endowment.”
Posted November 5, 2009
