In Friday’s (9/16) Grand Rapids Press (Michigan), Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk reports, “The Grand Rapids Symphony opens its 2011-12 concert season today with a new labor contract that will keep the orchestra in business for the next four years. The Grand Rapids Symphony’s Board of Directors on Thursday unanimously approved the four-year pact that freezes wages this season but promises raises in the next three seasons. ‘This four-year agreement is extraordinarily significant, and it represents a significant commitment to our community,’ said Peter Kjome, president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Symphony. ‘It’s longer than the typical orchestra agreement.’ Musicians of the Grand Rapids Federation of Musicians Local 56 voted last week voted in favor of the contract that maintains the current 40-week season through 2014-15. … The last contract, a two-year pact signed in 2009, cut musician’s salaries 9 to 14 percent, reduced the orchestra’s season from 42 to 40 weeks, froze 401(k) contributions and increased employee contributions to health plans. … Provisions of the new contract call for pay increases of 2 percent in each of the next two years followed by a 3 percent increase in the 2014-15 season. The orchestra will be maintained at 50 full-time and 30 part-time players, though it provides that some vacancies may be left unfilled temporarily.”
Posted September 16, 2011
