“Shreveport Symphony Orchestra musicians and management have finalized negotiations on a three-year collective bargaining agreement,” reads an unsigned article in Tuesday’s (6/16) Shreveport Times (Louisiana). “The agreement will be signed at 5 p.m. Wednesday … [and] carries the organization through the 2016-17 season [with] modest pay increases for musicians along with larger numbers of guaranteed services and increases in travel reimbursements, according to a news release. ‘This new contract, along with the agreeable way in which it was reached, bodes well for the future of the organization,’ said Rick Rowell, chairman of the orchestra committee. ‘While the increases in pay for musicians are small, this contract demonstrates significant forward momentum in the effort to expand the effectiveness of the SSO in providing access to world’s greatest music.’ … Under the terms of the new contract, symphony management will have greater flexibility to respond to opportunities and create musical events, including educational programming for students throughout the area. ‘I’m extremely pleased by the news,’ said music director Michael Butterman. ‘This agreement reflects a unified vision and sense of common purpose that is shared by all members of the SSO team. With this in place, we will be better able to work cooperatively and plan strategically in our efforts.’ ”
Posted June 18, 2014
Pictured: Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Photo by Neil Johnson
