In 2010, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra musicians “took a 13.5 percent pay cut to shore up an $819,000 loss in revenue,” writes Edward Brown in Friday’s (10/29) in Fort Worth Weekly. “The nation was reeling from the effects of a recession, and corporate and private donors were cutting back on gifts. For the musicians, it was a temporary setback. Or so they thought.… In July, FWSO musicians … began negotiations for a new three-year contract with management. FWSO president and CEO Amy Adkins, with the approval of the nonprofit’s board of directors, proposed cutting the concert season from 46 weeks to 43, decreasing artist fees for the Concerts in the Garden series by 25 percent, and eliminating three weeks of paid time off. The loss in wages would mean a nearly 23 percent loss in salary since 2010 once inflation is accounted for.… Orchestra members are responding with a ‘Growth not Cuts’ campaign. In front and inside Bass Performance Hall, they are handing out flyers and green bracelets emblazoned with fwsomusicians.com.… [Musicians’ union President Ken] Krause said there’s no talk of striking in the immediate future.” The contract expired on July 31, and the orchestra continues to play during negotiations. Talks resume on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Posted November 2, 2015
