In Tuesday’s (9/20) Courier-Journal, Elizabeth Kramer writes, “A labor relations expert who began his career in the airline industry and has since worked with orchestras for more than a decade has been chosen to facilitate negotiations between the Louisville Orchestra and its musicians to help craft a new collective-bargaining agreement. Ralph Craviso spoke with representatives from both sides via conference calls late last week and might come to Louisville for face-to-face meetings this week, said Henri Mangeot, executive director of the Louisville Labor Management Committee. … During much of his earlier career, Craviso worked with Continental and American airlines and while living in Dallas got involved with the Dallas Symphony. Since the mid-1990s, he has assisted many orchestra managers in negotiating contracts, including with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Sacramento Symphony, which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1996 after failed labor negotiations.” Kim Tichenor, head of the players’ negotiating committee, and orchestra Chief Executive Robert Birman both declined to comment. “Craviso will visit pending the finalization of his contract, which is being processed by The Community Foundation of Louisville. His fee is being paid by an anonymous donor who initiated the hiring of a consultant via Mayor Greg Fischer’s office.”
Posted September 21, 2011
