Among the largest budget orchestras, one of the most competitive issues is the ability to attract and retain the very best talent and perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the primary components in that equation is base wages. So I thought it would be helpful to take a look at what sort of impact the recent Philadelphia Orchestra concessionary agreement has on the big budget orchestra competition landscape.
Negotiations
What A Week
It’s been an eventful week and much of the news covers everything from dark to light. So let’s see about getting caught up by starting on the east coast and work our way out west.
How Low Can They Go In Louisville
Not that it should come as any surprise but the labor dispute between the Louisville Orchestra (LO) and its musicians sunk to a new all-time low following the facilitated labor agreement negotiations. Here’s what transpired over the past few days.
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?”
Expect Things To Get Worse In Louisville Before They Get Better
It’s almost as if the Louisville Orchestra (LO) has punched the reset button when it comes to labor dispute tactics, thereby placing both sides all the way back to square one; do not pass go, do not collect $200. In particular, the orchestra announced on 8/24/2011 that it has cancelled all concert events through the end of October, but the real indications of regressive mindset are buried in the statement they released announcing the cancellations.