In a recent article published in the 03/05/05 edition of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the article’s author, Sarah Bryan Miller, challenges one of the basic concepts which have successfully driven the increased artistic and financial accomplishment of orchestras since the early 1960’s. The concept of having musicians set financial goals for the organization via contract negotiations.
Negotiations
An Inside Look At The SLSO Mediated Negotiations
Update: In the spirit of equal-time, the St. Louis Symphony management have been offered multiple opportunities to express their interpretations of the recent mediated negations, to expand on their positions, and to respond to statements made by the SLSO musician’s representative. As of 2/23/05 they have respectfully declined that opportunity although the offer continues to remain open.
The mediated negotiations in St. Louis last week had high hopes for producing an agreement among patrons and supporters of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. It was the first time representatives from the SLSO management and the musicians’ negotiation committee sat down at a bargaining table to talk in nearly six weeks.
Contributing To A Solution In St. Louis
Even though the negotiation impasse between the managers and musicians of the St. Louis Symphony has cancelled concerts since the beginning of January, supporters can still make a difference in helping the situation from deteriorating any further. Donating to maintain healthy musiciansFor the musicians, the most urgent need is to be able to maintain their health insurance payments. Although the musicians receive benefits from the American Federation of Musicians strike/lockout fund, …
Breaking News – Mediation In St. Louis
It seems that some positive progress is underway in St. Louis as both sides have agreed to utilize the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) in order to find a solution to their negotiation impasse. According to SLSO Director of Communications, Jeff Trammell, the SLSO management has agreed to use the services of the FMCS. Mr. Trammell did not comment on whether or not the SLSO management was willing to reconsider …
Reader Response: They Should Get Their Money Back
Adaptistration reader Brad in New Jersey took the time to send in an intriguing observation and offer a suggestion regarding the Axelrod Instruments purchased by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. “My wife and I maintain a large collection of wines and once we discovered that a few cases of what we thought were a particular wine turned out to be phony, the seller just used counterfeit labels. In that case we …