“The National Labor Relations Board dismissed an unfair labor practices claim made by the musicians union against the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra management,” reports Andrea Ahles in Tuesday’s (7/5) Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, TX). “In late March, the American Federation of Musicians Local 72-147 filed the complaint with the federal labor board, alleging that symphony management had changed its access to Bass Hall after the union held a sit-in at symphony offices…. At the time, FWSO was accompanying Texas Ballet Theater in rehearsals and performances of Cinderella at Bass Hall. A federal labor investigator found that the changes were not made by symphony management but by Bass Hall. ‘The evidence showed that any changes made to employees’ access were not implemented or requested by the Employer, but rather, they were made by the Employer’s landlord, a third-party property owner,’ said the National Labor Relations Board.… Earlier this year, the union authorized a strike as management said it would impose concessionary contract terms that included 8 percent wage and benefit cuts.… Both sides agreed to a contract extension, which will expire on July 31…. Last week, both parties agreed to enter federal mediation and expect to continue contract talks soon.”
Posted July 6, 2016
