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Home » Orchestra News » Fort Wayne Philharmonic Musicians on Strike


Fort Wayne Philharmonic Musicians on Strike

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Musicians of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players’ Association and Local 58 (Fort Wayne, IN) are on strike for the first time in their orchestra’s history. The musicians, who have been performing under an expired contract since September 1, are demanding fair wages and better working conditions, after making significant sacrifices during the pandemic.

In May 2021, musicians were joined outside the Allen County Courthouse by community members and AFM President Ray Hair during a May Day Rally to Restore Music in Fort Wayne. During the pandemic, musicians were furloughed in 2020 and had been negotiating with orchestra management for a new contract since 2019.

Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players’ Association Chair Campbell MacDonald says players have met with management several times for negotiations and have agreed to a number of their proposals. But, he says, after fewer concerts and cuts to musicians’ wages during the pandemic, management is continuing to offer “unacceptable rates of pay.”

Musicians have proposed a modest raise over their prepandemic salary. The Philharmonic has yet to propose musician wages and concert activity that resemble the orchestra’s historic profile as a full-time regional orchestra.

Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players’ Association and Local 58 musicians picketed in front of the Fort Wayne Embassy Theatre.

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Fort Wayne Philharmonic Players’ Association
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