“The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra strike is over, and they’re scheduled to play again at Heinz Hall,” reports Bob Batz Jr. in Wednesday’s (11/23) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “The musicians, who went on strike Sept. 30, today ratified a new five-year contract that includes a 10.5 percent pay cut in the first year, but thanks to a contribution from an anonymous donor, the actual pay cut will be 7.5 percent. Wages will be restored to pre-strike levels in the fifth year. The contract keeps 99 musicians and two librarians, but leaves three vacant orchestra positions unfilled…. To celebrate the settlement, on Dec. 2 and 4, the PSO will perform free ‘The Music Has Returned!’ concerts at Heinz Hall…. Musicians’ salaries are frozen in the second year; there’s a 3.3 percent increase in the third year; a 2.0 percent increase in the fourth year; and restoration to the 2016 base salary—approximately $107,000—in the fifth year of the contract. It runs through Sept. 5, 2021. The two sides also agreed to transition the existing defined benefit pension plan to a defined contribution plan…. Louise Sciannameo, the PSO’s vice president for public affairs, said that the Highmark Holiday Pops concerts will be performed as scheduled on Dec. 9 through 18.”
Posted November 28, 2016
