In Tuesday’s (12/4) Spokesman-Review (Spokane, Washington), Chelsea Bannach reports, “The Spokane Symphony musicians and board of directors announced today they have reached an agreement settling a four-week strike. After a weekend of intense bargaining, the musicians voted Monday night to approve a two-year contract that includes an 11 percent pay cut and three weeks unpaid personal leave. The pay cut comes in the form of reduced guaranteed services, which include rehearsals, concerts and educational events. The pay cut means core musicians will make about $15,539 a year, down from $17,460, in 160 guaranteed services. … In the negotiations leading up to the strike, the symphony proposed a 13.3 percent pay cut in a contract that had no second-year guarantees, and the musicians said they would concede to a 6.6 percent cut. Musician spokesman Adam Wallstein called the agreed-upon contract painful, but said the musicians are happy to get back to work. Five concerts were cancelled while the musicians were on strike. ‘The Nutcracker’ [with State Street Ballet] begins Thursday. The board said last week it would use recorded music for the performances if an agreement was not reached in time.”
Photo by Martin Woldson
Posted December 5, 2012
