“The Spokane Symphony administration and symphony musicians, members of American Federation of Musicians Local 105, announced today that they ratified a new three-year contract last month,” writes Azaria Podplesky in Friday’s (7/20) Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA). Specific terms of the new contract were not announced. Disagreements over a previous contract led to a musicians’ strike in 2012. “According to a statement from Rachel Dorfman, secretary/treasurer of American Federation of Musicians Local 105, the contract includes a cost of living increase, Family Medical Leave Act language, processes that address air quality at outdoor concerts and scheduling language that will ‘help our musicians balance their multiple jobs so that it is more possible for them to be able to make a decent, living income.’ Spokane Symphony Executive Director Jeff vom Saal said,… ‘Our goal is to attract and retain the very brightest, most talented and capable orchestra members possible, while remaining fiscally disciplined…. We also spent time crafting ways to ensure our orchestra members get the flexibility they need for their personal health and well-being, while allowing the symphony to continue presenting a wide range of concerts, programs and events.’ ”
Posted July 24, 2018
