If you’ve been following events at the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) this past week, you’ve probably scratched your head in confusion more than once. What started off as a comparatively typical request to reopen the master agreement following news of dire financial conditions has culminated in one of the most theatrical displays from a stakeholder group we’ve seen in some time.
Labor Relations
Things That Make You Go Buh?!? Craviso To Louisville
The news started trickling in toward the middle of last week but an article by Gabe Bullard in the 9/16/2011 edition of WFPL.com made it official when it reported that consultant Ralph Craviso had been selected by the Louisville Orchestra (LO) and their musicians to become involved in the mediation of their labor dispute. The only question in my mind upon hearing the news was “What, was Governor Scott Walker busy?”
Louisville's Dance In The Dark
The 8/22/2011 edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal published an article by Elizabeth Kramer that reports on the fallout following the American Federation of Musicians’ (AFM) decision to place the Louisville Orchestra (LO) on its Unfair List in response to orchestra CEO’s public statement that the orchestra would pursue using non union represented musicians if they fail to come to an agreement with the AFM.
One Step Forward, Two Steps Back In Louisville
(UPDATED 10:15am CT – AFM PLACES LO ON UNFAIR LIST) The 8/15/2011 edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal published an article by Elizabeth Kramer which reports that the judge overseeing the Louisville Orchestra’s (LO) bankruptcy approved the organization’s latest reorganization plan. According to the article, the judge approved the plan, in part, with the belief that it “would give the orchestra and its musicians an opportunity to focus on contract talks.”
Editorial Cartoon: Philly Style Cooperation
It seems that the interpretation of unity is more flexible than ever as Peter Dobrin’s article from the 8/17/2011 edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Philadelphia Orchestra Association (POA) musicians sent a letter to their board that formally rejects the orchestra’s recent strategic plan along with taking issue over how their supposed role has been publicly portrayed.