Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
In Friday’s (9/29) Philadelphia Inquirer, Lizzy McLellan Ravitch writes, “The union representing members of the Philadelphia Orchestra has accused their employer of unfair practices, as members are in the midst of voting on a contract offer management presented this week. Negotiations have gone on for months between the Philadelphia Orchestra Kimmel Center Inc. and Philadelphia Musicians’ Union Local 77. The union’s contract expired on Sept. 10. Still, the musicians played their opening night performance of the 2023-24 season on Thursday. In the charge, filed with the National Labor Relations Board on Friday, the union alleged that orchestra management has communicated misleading and incorrect information about the negotiations to the union members. ‘The union filed these charges because we believe that management’s actions have not only been disrespectful—they have also violated federal labor law,’ said Local 77 President Ellen Trainer. Orchestra management says it has been bargaining in good faith … orchestra spokesperson Ashley Berke said Friday. ‘These are meritless charges clearly designed to divert attention from the fact that the musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra have a strong offer from us on the table.’… According to orchestra management, it includes a 13.5% increase to their base salary.”
