In Tuesday’s (2/8) Detroit Free Press, Mark Stryker reports, “Management and musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra met today to try to hammer out a settlement in the bitter strike that has now entered its 19th week. While a media blackout prevents either side from discussing details, two board members confirmed that negotiations took place but added that they had not been told whether progress had been made or not. The bargaining session comes on the heels of a new formal contract offer made late last week by management, which has requested a response from the musicians by Friday. While management has not characterized the proposal as a ‘final offer,’ officials have said the strike, which has caused the cancelation of nearly half the season, has reached a critical juncture. Glenda Price, secretary of the executive committee of the board, said Monday that if the two sides don’t reach a deal by the end of the week, the season would ‘probably’ be canceled. Still, she cautioned that the decision had not been made and that the goal remains getting a contract in place.”
Posted February 8, 2011
