Musicians at Canada’s Vancouver Symphony Strike Over Contract Terms

In Friday’s (9/26) Vancouver Sun (British Columbia), Brieanna Charlebois writes, “Unionized Vancouver Symphony Orchestra musicians have walked off the job, resulting in several show cancellations this weekend. VSO president Angela Elster said in a statement that the company recognizes the right of the musicians to take collective action, but is disappointed about the impact to its audiences. The VSO said the work stoppage means several events will not go ahead this weekend … Audrey Patterson, president of the board of directors for the Vancouver Musicians’ Association union, says the employer’s current offer is a 15-per-cent wage increase over three years, to which the union countered with a 23-per-cent increase over the same term. Vancouver Musicians’ Association Local 145 said … the union’s proposal … was aimed at securing wage increases that ‘would ensure the orchestra remains competitive in attracting and retaining top level musicians.’ The musicians began picketing at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Vancouver at 5 p.m. on Thursday. The union says more than 97 per cent of its members voted in July in favor of job action after its last offer to the employer. Elster says management is ‘eager to negotiate with the musicians’ union.’ ”