Musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda.
In Monday’s (9/23) Washington Post, Michael Andor Brodeur writes, “The union representing the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra (the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Federation of Musicians, Local 161-710, American Federation of Musicians) announced on Monday the unanimous outcome of a Friday vote to authorize a strike against the Kennedy Center over a stalled collective bargaining agreement. ‘The union and the Kennedy Center have been in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement since May,’ said a statement from the union, which was issued Monday morning, ‘but remain far apart on wages and other material issues.’ A strike could directly impact a busy opening week for the NSO … At the core of the dispute is what the union identifies as an unacceptable wage gap between NSO musicians and their peers in orchestras of similar size and stature … The NSO union proposed wage increases averaging 6.25 percent per year over the next four years … The Kennedy Center’s proposal, meanwhile, suggests increases that average 3 percent annually over the next four years … The Kennedy Center described its proposal as ‘generous and fiscally responsible,’ citing an increase in wages of 12 percent over a four-year contract [as well as] significantly expanded health care options at reduced costs for the musicians” and other enhancements.
