In Thursday’s (1/3) Star-Tribune (Minneapolis), Graydon Royce writes, “In the first thaw in an icy labor standoff, management and musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra agreed Wednesday to create a ‘fresh start to negotiations.’ Meeting for the first time since musicians were locked out on Oct. 1, negotiators agreed to seek a framework for ending an impasse that has shut down the ensemble and frustrated fans of classical music. Since talks broke off on Sept. 30, the two parties have lobbed bitter statements at each other on websites and through the media. The rhetoric softened noticeably on Wednesday. ‘I was encouraged by the meeting,’ said board chairman Jon Campbell. A spokesman for the musicians said only that the players ‘agreed to a fresh start.’ The board offered a four-point plan for musicians to consider: Return to the organization’s former mission statement, with two changes to emphasize community service and financial stability; Share more financial data with musicians, including forecasts through 2015; Invite musicians to submit a proposal for a ‘mutually agreeable independent financial review’ to verify the orchestra’s financial condition; Offer a schedule of dates for more meetings. … Meanwhile, union and management negotiators at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra also met Wednesday for the first time in nearly two months. Both sides have agreed ‘not to publicly disclose what transpires in the meetings,’ according to a joint statement released last week.”
Posted January 4, 2013
