Atlanta Stakeholders Dig In On Eve Of Contract Expiration

With the current agreement set to expire on midnight, 9/6/2014, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) musicians issued a press statement that makes it clear that a deal is unlikely; moreover, they single out ASO President & CEO Stanley E. Romanstein as the individual responsible for revenue performance shortfalls.

The genuinely interesting element within the musicians’ statement is the bit about them accepting the cuts in exchange for assurances that they would not be approached at the end of the agreement for similar concessions.

The musicians were assured that this cut was a one-time only concession that would be met in equal measure by additional fundraising. CEO Stanley Romanstein has failed to raise the funding necessary to balance the budget.

Howard Pousner published a response from the ASO via the Journal-Constitution’s Arts & Culture blog that provides a sharp contrast to musician assertions.

Responding to the charges, ASO spokesman Randy Donaldson said late Thursday afternoon that the musicians failed to acknowledge that the orchestra leadership in the last two years has secured $4.5 million in corporate donations, being paid over three years, as well as an anonymous donation totaling $1 million over two years.

Both sides also disagree on whether or not the current ASO offer is best characterized as one filled with additional concessions or improvements.

Donaldson said ASO management also disputes the musicians’ suggestion that it and Woodruff leadership are demanding further salary concessions from the musicians.

“The important thing is, that management, as part of its current proposal, proposes an increase for the musicians over the life of the contract.”

Details about the actual offer have yet to be made available but in the meantime, it will be interesting to see if this labor dispute follows the path laid down by the Metropolitan Opera and two of its unions by temporarily delaying plans to initiate a lockout in order to allow a Federal mediator an opportunity to assist in reaching a deal.