Tuesday (5/28) on WHYY’s NewsWorks site (Philadelphia), Shirley Min reports, “After months of negotiations, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra and the union representing its musicians have finally found some middle ground, as both sides agree to a tentative three-year contract. Delaware Symphony board chair Tatiana Copeland and local musicians’ union spokesman Glenn Finnan met face-to-face last Wednesday, ending what had turned into an 8-month impasse. … New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon arranged the meeting. Gordon stepped in when he said Copeland indicated, ‘she was ready to walk.’ … The main sticking point hampering negotiations, Copeland says, revolved around the number of set appearances throughout the year. ‘The board on principle wanted no guaranteed services… Glen Finnan pretty much looked me in the eye on the meeting and said, “If we don’t have some guaranteed services, we’re not signing this contract.” Services, in this case, are rehearsals or performances. Consequently, the DSO agreed to a sliding scale over the course of the three-year agreement, with 10 services scheduled in year one, going up to 20 in year three. … The agreement hammered out between Copeland and Finnan still needs approval from the musicians and the DSO board. Copeland says the board will vote during its next scheduled meeting June 12.”
Posted May 29, 2013
