In Tuesday’s (9/25) Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Ernie Suggs writes, “The musicians of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra—locked out since Aug. 25 with no paychecks or insurance—are willing to accept $5.2 million in salary and benefit cuts if it means they can get back on the stage soon. But as both sides try to come up with an agreement that would help erase a projected debt that could top $20 million, there is one caveat. Christina Smith, a spokeswoman for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players Association, said that once the new, lower base salary for musicians is established, all administrative staff members making above that figure should also take a pay cut. … ASO President Stanley Romanstein would not comment Monday afternoon on the musicians’ latest proposal. But he previously rejected the notion that management should be included in the cuts, arguing that administrative personnel had already taken substantial reductions in salaries and benefits. … Under the last contract, which expired last month, the beginning base salary for an ASO musician was $88,400. The average compensation was $131,000 … Earlier in the negotiations, the musicians had agreed to take $4 million in cuts over two years, rather than the $5.2 million demanded by management.”
Posted September 25, 2012
