Hats off to NPR’s Tom Huizenga for writing such a terrific article for the 9/6/2012 deceptive cadence blog. In particular, Huizenga examines the recently inaugurated hot war between the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and its musicians and the post does one of the best jobs I’ve ever encountered at putting things into perspective.
Month: September 2012
San Antonio Symphony Musicians File Legal Charges
Although it feels like it has been flying under the radar a bit in light of events in Indianapolis and Atlanta, events in San Antonio reached a new level on 9/4/2012 when the musicians of the San Antonio Symphony (SAS) issued a press statement to announce they filed an NLRB charge against the SAS for “unilaterally chang[ing] wages, hours, and conditions of employment of employees employed in a bargaining unit for which the charging party is the exclusive representative; and failed and refused to bargain in good faith with the charging party.”
Atlanta Musicians Locked Out
According to a 9/4/2012 press statement from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players Association (ASOPA), the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), by way of their parent organization the Woodruff Arts Center (WAC), has cancelled musician healthcare benefits, thereby initiating a work stoppage by means of lockout.
Indianapolis Symphony Launches PR Campaign
Following an initial press blackout, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) launched a PR campaign related to the ongoing labor dispute with their musicians. They released a lengthy press statement on 9/3/2012 that provides rationale for some of the austerity measures being pursued in the new collective bargaining agreement.
News Flash: Impending National Symphony CBA Terms
A source inside the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) has provided details about the orchestra’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that reinforce the observation that not all orchestras are suffering in the current economy. The NSO musicians conducted a ratification meeting the morning of 9/3/12, the same day the agreement was set to expire and although the results have not yet been announced, the negotiating committee recommending that members ratify the terms for the new four year agreement. Highlights from the proposed terms include: