In Wednesday’s (10/5) Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Dobrin writes, “A breakthrough in the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case could emerge as soon as Wednesday, as management and labor try to hammer out a deal under the supervision of a U.S. bankruptcy judge. But if a new contract does not include continued participation in the national musicians’ pension fund, the fund will begin litigation involving donors and board members, fund leaders say. Sources reported ‘some movement’ in talks Sunday and Monday under the supervision of Stephen Raslavich, chief judge of U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Musicians had not received a final offer from management as of Tuesday, the sources said. Raslavich asked the musicians’ union not to discuss a developing deal on wages and pension with players, who returned from vacation Tuesday for the start of the orchestra’s 2011-12 season. … It was still not clear whether, under the terms of a contract that may be coming together, the American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund would continue to serve as the retirement plan for musicians.”
Posted September 5, 2011
