“Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association jointly announced yesterday (5/28) an agreement on a 4.8 percent pay cut to help the famous organization through these tough economic times,” writes Christine Olley in today’s (5/29) Philadelphia Daily News.” The modification to the musicians’ contract, which will be effective from September 1, 2009, to August 31, 2010, was agreed to by Musicians Union Local 77, with Joseph Parente, president. The 107 members of the orchestra ratified the modifications yesterday. The article explains, “The total package will result in savings of over $4 million to August 2011. The deal also includes agreements waiving compensation for overtime and extra concerts or rehearsals, the pension-funding obligations will be reduced and payments for appearances, recordings and television broadcasts will be eliminated. … ‘It was remarkable,’ said Frank P. Slattery, orchestra executive director, who was part of the effort to ask the musicians for the money-saving move. Slattery added that orchestras in other cities are facing the same difficulties… ‘I don’t know of any group of musicians that have helped their organization as much as Philadelphia,’ Slattery said. ‘It was extraordinary.’”
Posted May 29, 2009
