Contract Negotiations at San Francisco Symphony Continue as European Tour Approaches

“San Francisco Symphony management yesterday distributed a press release about its case in the ongoing contract talks with the Musicians Union Local 6, American Federation of Musicians,” writes Joshua Kosman in Friday’s (2/17) San Francisco Chronicle. “This is unusual because such negotiations are always conducted at close quarters, reaching the press and public only when there is a settlement or when talks stall and there is a possibility of strike or lockout. Neither outcome is likely soon, although the musicians’ contract expired almost three months ago and negotiations began in September…. The SFS administration describes its latest proposal as a ‘three-year contract that keeps the San Francisco Symphony among the top three highest-compensated orchestras in the United States.’… David Gaudry, head of the musicians’ negotiating committee, told SF Classical Voice … ‘Management’s contract offer would set the minimum salary at $170,404 on an annualized basis, over $15,000 per year less than the minimum salary set forth in the contract that expired this past November.’… ‘The musicians wanted to alert the press as the collective bargaining agreement negotiations … are escalating as we approach our European tour at the beginning of March,’ writes piccolo player Catherine Payne on behalf of the orchestra.”