In Friday’s (9/24) Fresno Bee (California), Donald Munro writes, “As the Fresno Philharmonic prepares for its season-opening weekend concerts, union-represented musicians and management have not reached agreement on a new contract. The current five-year contract expired Aug. 31. Negotiations with the Symphony Musicians of Fresno, represented by Local 12 of the American Federation of Musicians, have been held throughout the summer but were postponed a month ago so musicians returning from their three-month hiatus could have the chance to meet with their negotiating team. Musicians plan to meet before tonight’s rehearsal. A bargaining session between management and the union negotiating team is scheduled for after the rehearsal. … Don Reinhold, the orchestra’s executive director, said economic constraints and the changing nature of the Philharmonic’s programming require more scheduling flexibility on the part of management. … As for wages, the musicians are asking for an 18% raise over three years. The latest offer from the management was a wage freeze, [bassoonist and local union president Larry] Gardner said. … Season ticket sales are down about 3% this year. Reinhold said that other orchestras in the country have been freezing or reducing compensation because of the bad economy.”
Posted September 24, 2010
