Tag Archives: four-year contract

Orchestra News

Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Expands Season with New CBA

In late June, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (MSO) musicians, members of Local 8 (Milwaukee, WI), and management reached a four-year contract agreement that will cover the 2018-2019 season through the 2022-2023 season. Musicians will see an increase of 1.75% in 2018-2019 and increase of 3.5% in 2020-2021, which will bring base pay to $70,722.96. The pay increase in the 2020-2021 season will come with an additional week of services—increasing the season length to 42 weeks. Substitute/extra pay will increase 12.4% per service over the term of the agreement.

“This four-year agreement, following a holding pattern in recent years of short-term contracts, demonstrates a commitment by the MSO board and management to artistic quality and stability for musicians during this exciting time of transition for the MSO,” says Laurie Shawger of Local 8, chair of the players’ council.

During the contract term, MSO will move into a new concert hall—a former theater space that is under renovation. The orchestra is expected to make its debut in the new hall in 2020. The symphony is also currently searching for its next music director. The new season is planned with a series of guest conductors.

Orchestra News

Nashville Symphony Contract Provides Increases Each Year

The Nashville Symphony Orchestra and its musicians, members of Local 257 (Nashville, TN), have announced a new four-year contract that goes into effect August 1. Under the new agreement musicians will see a 3.5% increase in base salaries in 2018-2019, as well as increases of 3.75% in 2019-2020, and 4.25% for each of the final two years. The contract restores an unfilled first violin position in the first year and restores an unfilled cello position in the second year, returning orchestra membership to 83. The audition process also changed so that screens will be kept up throughout the entire audition to ensure impartiality.

Nashville Symphony violinist and Union Steward Laura Ross says, “As the orchestra has become busier performing an ever-expanding variety and quantity of material, we needed to address workload and working conditions, along with the financial package.”
“This contract helps bring these excellent musicians’ compensation closer to their high level of artistic achievement, and we are proud to represent them as we move forward together,” says Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy.

Ross says the negotiations were “efficient and collegial” and she thanked her colleagues for their hard work. “Thanks to the constant work and communication by both the negotiating committee and the orchestra committee with management,” she says. “We are all proud of the result and the future direction of the Nashville Symphony.”