Chicago Symphony Orchestra Goes On Strike

April 1, 2019

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At odds with management over salary and pension issues, musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), members of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL) went on strike at midnight, March 11. CSO musicians, who otherwise would have been in rehearsal, began picketing outside Orchestra Hall on the morning of March 11. The musicians held their first press conference March 12. Maestro Riccardo Muti arrived and was met by a brass ensemble of Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians. “Maestro, we’ve prepared a little music for you,” said Steve Lester, double bassist and chair of the musicians’ negotiating committee. The brass began to play, while Muti stood listening with approval.

Before making public comments, Muti greeted his CSO colleagues warmly, with hugs, kisses, and handshakes all around. “I am here with my musicians,” said the conductor. “Today we were supposed to have rehearsal. We try to get a better situation for their life, their pension, their work.” The Maestro was applauded by the crowd.

On March 14, the musicians marched in the rain. Cook County Board President and Mayoral Candidate Toni Preckwinkle joined in a press conference. “I think it’s insulting that billionaires should say to ordinary working people—in this case musicians—that they have enough,” she says.

The following week brought a fine arts rally with support of ICSOM, TMA, SAG-AFTRA, Actor’s Equity, and AGMA. Eight members of the Illinois Democratic Congressional Delegation stopped by with a letter of support from Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). Two free concerts are planned by the musicians as a gift to the City of Chicago.

Musicians and management have been negotiating for 11 months. Talks resumed for two days (March 15-16) with the musicians’ negotiating team presenting an offer that would have not only saved the musicians’ defined benefit pension plan but also saved the institution money. What has become clear is that CSO management has no interest in continuing with the current pension structure, although it is willing to spend millions on converting the plan to a defined contribution plan.

This demonstrates that the fight over pension isn’t about money but rather is about shifting risk to the musicians. CSO musicians also assert that the proposed management salary offer of a 5% pay increase over the next three years will not keep CSO competitive with peer orchestras.

You can show support for CSO musicians through social media with the hashtags #csomusicians, #standwithyourmusicians, and #keepyourstandardshigh. A Facebook profile frame is also available. More information can be found at the musicians’ website: www.ChicagoSymphonyMusicians.com.

 “Picketing is a scary, cold, and lonely experience,” says CSO ISCOM Delegate Miles Manner of Local 10-208 (Chicago, IL). “Seeing the solidarity on the street and on social media goes a long way.”

As of this writing, no more bargaining sessions are scheduled. Picketing will take place every day until an agreement is reached.

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