OREGON
SYMPHONY MANAGEMENT & MUSICIANS
NEGOTIATE NEW TWO-YEAR LABOR AGREEMENT
Portland, OR, Thursday, May 24th…..The
musicians and board of the Oregon Symphony have approved a new two-year labor
agreement, said Oregon Symphony Interim President Mary Crist and
Strategic Planning Consultant Elaine Calder. The new contract
with the musicians' union, Local 99 of the American Federation of Musicians,
covers the 2006/2007 and 2007/2008 seasons and provides for modest increases in
the musicians’ compensation over the two-year term.
“The musicians ratified the new settlement by a substantial margin,” said Union
secretary-treasurer Ken Shirk.
“We are delighted to have reached a mutually satisfactory agreement with our
players,” said Symphony Interim President Mary Crist. “I am grateful to the
negotiating committee of musicians and union management for their thoughtful
approach to the Oregon Symphony’s current situation. We have achieved a
very high level of performance quality under the direction of music director
Carlos Kalmar, but continue to operate with serious financial challenges,” she
added.
The Oregon Symphony board, staff and musicians are currently engaged in a
planning process led by Ms. Calder, Ms. Crist and Board Chair Walter Weyler to
secure a strong financial and artistic future for this important community
institution.
The OSA’s 111th season ends on Saturday, June 2nd
with a performance at the George Fox Auditorium in Newberg. Orchestra
musicians come back to work in August for Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhoods,
a Portland tradition featuring free performances at Arbor Lodge Park and Tom
McCall Waterfront Park. The 2007/2008 season begins in the Arlene
Schnitzer Concert Hall on Saturday, September 22nd with a gala
performance by the orchestra and pianist Van Cliburn playing the
Tchaikovsky piano concerto which won him the Moscow Competition – and the
adulation of millions of Americans – in 1958. Tickets for the 2007/2008
season will go on sale to the general public August 17, 2007.
For further information please contact:
Michael Kosmala
Vice President of Marketing & Community Engagement
503-416-6344
mkosmala@orsymphony.org