Woodruff Wins Concessions In ASO Labor Dispute
Thu, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
In the eleventh hour of an ultimatum from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and their parent board, Woodruff Arts Center (WAC), insisting that musicians accept a sharply concessionary agreement or face five weeks of canceled events (including a Carnegie Hall appearance), the ASO musicians acquiesced and accepted the full range of terms in their employer’s
Leafleting In Richmond (VA)
Wed, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
One of the latest additions to this season’s list of labor discontent is the Richmond (VA) Symphony Orchestra (RSO) where the previous collective bargaining agreement (CBA) expired on August 31, 2012. Since then, the group has been engaged in play-and-talk but the musicians went public on 9/20/2012 and issued a statement reassuring patrons they would
CSO Strike Is Over, But Why Aren’t There More Details?
Tue, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
It looks like the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) strike is likely over. According to the Chicago Tribune, both parties have announced a tentative agreement has been reached but details won’t likely be released until the musicians officially ratify the agreement at a 9:00am CT members meeting.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra Musicians Strike
Mon, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
On Saturday, 9/22/2012 the musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) called a strike exactly one hour before a concert scheduled that evening for 8:0pm CT. A brief message from the CSO musicians’ negotiating committee to their members asserts the following:
It’s Time For Your Civil Discourse Recertification
Fri, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
It’s that time of year again, where labor disputes begin charging up emotions and on more than a few occasions, those emotions come spilling out in blog comments and social media. At best, emotionally driven comments designed to lash out only serve to detract attention from any meaningful thoughts or observations contained in the comment
Jacksonville Symphony Declares Impasse, Imposes Contract
Thu, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
According to an article by Charlie Patton in the 9/18/2012 edition of the Florida Times-Union, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra’s (JSO) board has declared an impasse and will impose the terms of its most recent offer. That offer includes a 20% reduction in base compensation, four less weeks in the season, and no less than 45
Louisville Sneaks By Under The Radar
Wed, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
In the hubbub of Indy, Atlanta, San Antonio, and the Twin Cities it might have been easy to miss the excellent article by Elizabeth Kramer published in the 9/1/2012 edition of the Louisville Courier-Journal that reports on the orchestra’s return after a protracted work stoppage.
That’s An Excellent Question
Tue, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
On 9/17/2012, reader Jonathan Gresl posted a comment to ask if I could write an overview of the differences between defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans and how they interact with the field. That’s an excellent question and I’m happy to oblige.
How Troubled Orchestras Can Bounce Back And Flourish
Mon, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
WQXR’s latest podcast from their Conducting Business series, which focuses on issues affecting the classical music landscape, includes a discussion about the state of American orchestras and the current rash of labor disputes. The panel includes host Naomi Lewin, Graydon Royce, music critic at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Jesse Rosen, president and chief executive of the League of
A Voice From Academia Weighs In On Atlanta
Thu, Sep 9, 2012
by Drew McManus
On 9/11/2012, Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas Dean Peter Witte published a letter at his Posterous site that was originally composed to the editorial board of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The letter examines his perspective on the current ASO work stoppage and it is a worthwhile read in that Witte is
