“After a contract impasse led the Binghamton Philharmonic to cancel its first concert of the year, the orchestra and its musicians’ union announced Tuesday that they have reached a new two-year agreement,” writes Chris Kocher in Tuesday’s (9/29) Press & Sun-Bulletin (Binghamton, N.Y.). “At the heart of the disagreement between the philharmonic and Binghamton Local 380 … were mileage expenses for musicians…. Under the new contract, which replaced one that expired on May 21, the philharmonic will pay 33 cents a mile for musicians who live between 40 and 100 miles from the Forum in downtown Binghamton … down from 41 cents per mile under the previous contract, and wages are frozen at $85 per service…. The agreement will save the philharmonic around $35,000 per season, or about half of the projected $70,000 in mileage expenses under the previous contract, said Brittany Hall, the philharmonic’s executive director…. The new contract creates an ongoing committee that includes musicians and philharmonic management to foster discussion about the philharmonic’s long-term future, she added. That strategy includes revamping the group’s marketing efforts, fundraising and board participation. The philharmonic’s season will resume Oct. 31.” In the article, Principal Clarinet and Local 380 President Sarah Chandler notes that the canceled September 26 concert may be rescheduled.
Posted October 1, 2015
Pictured: Musicians of the Binghamton Philharmonic
