Montreal Symphony and Musicians Sign Five-Year Agreement

In Sunday’s (10/29) La Scena Musicale (Montreal), an unsigned report states, “The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) and the Guilde des musiciens et musiciennes du Québec (GMMQ) have announced their signing of a collective agreement binding the Orchestra and its musicians for five years [beginning in] October 27, 2023. The OSM and a General Assembly of musicians adopted by 93% approval the agreement, which was reached between negotiation committees on behalf of employers and unions. The agreement was also unanimously approved … by the OSM Board of Directors…. The financial parameters of this agreement provide, among other things, for annual increases totaling 4.1% in contractual fees and an improvement of seniority bonuses, which have been increased for the period from 2023 to 2028. Moreover, virtually all non-monetary clauses at issue were negotiated and mutually agreed upon … The most significant changes involve auditions and access to tenure, work and services scheduling, tours, sick leave, and pension plans…. Exchanges between the parties proceeded in a climate of remarkable openness and dialogue, facilitating agreement on mutually satisfactory solutions to the issues raised from both sides.”