“The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players’ Association made a counterproposal to administrative leaders of the ASO and Woodruff Arts Center on Monday that draws the two sides closer to an agreement,” writes Howard Pousner in Monday’s (10/27) Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “ASOPA proposes starting this delayed season with its count of 77 remaining musicians…. Management would then be contractually obligated to build to a minimum of 84 by the end of the 2016-17 season and a minimum of 88 by the end of 2017-18, ‘with best efforts to restore complement to 90 musicians,’ according to the ASOPA proposal. The last offer from leadership of the ASO and its parent nonprofit the Woodruff (WAC), after three days of federally mediated talks last week, guaranteed the 76 jobs over the four years, with no further downsizing…. An ASO/Woodruff spokesman said its negotiating team was meeting Monday afternoon to review and evaluate the musicians’ proposal, but that a decision probably would not be made public immediately…. The Players’ Association’s Monday counterproposal also [included] a 1 percent raise in 2014-15 and 1.5 percent in years two through four…. ASO/Woodruff leaders had offered a graduated 4.5 percent increase over the same period. The two sides agreed last week on the third major issue, health care coverage.”
Posted October 28, 2014
