Musicians of the New Mexico Philharmonic, members of Local 618 (Albuquerque, NM), ratified a new five-year master agreement, effective 2017-2022. This agreement, the third CBA bargained for the organization created in 2011, was reached after 18 months of bargaining, two of which involved federal mediation.

The musicians accepted modest per service rate increases after a 2017-2018 wage freeze and agreed to increased attendance requirements. The musicians granted greater scheduling flexibility to allow the management and board four years to achieve and maintain financial stability. Musicians will no longer hold seats on the New Mexico Phil Board of Directors. However, the board agreed to take part in a free program from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service mediators to improve communications and relationships among New Mexico Phil musicians, management, and the board.