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.
Louisville Orchestra
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.
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.”