“The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society Inc. and the American Federation of Musicians Local 92 have agreed on a six-year contract that covers 73 full-time members of the BPO,” writes James Fink in Monday’s (9/19) Buffalo Business First (Buffalo, N.Y.) “The pact is the longest ever negotiated between the two organizations…. The contract, which took effect on Sept. 1, lasts through Aug. 31, 2022. With the new pact, it means the orchestra’s musicians are under contract for the next six years and music director JoAnn Falletta is under contract through the 2020-2021 season. The local approved the contract on Sept. 15 and the BPO’s trustees will formally vote on the deal when they meet on Sept. 27. Approval is expected…. Wages will increase a total of 12.6 percent during the next six years. Minimum salaries will rise from the current $48,120 rate to $54,177 by 2022. Orchestra members will maintain 38-week schedule plus two weeks of paid vacation annually.” Said Stephen Smith, BPO Society’s incoming chairman, “It insures that we can plan for the future together.” Jim Pace, president of Local 92, said, “This historic agreement bodes well for the future of the orchestra, its musicians, the community and the Buffalo Musicians Association.”
Posted September 19, 2016
