The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Northern New Jersey Musicians Guild, Local 16-248 of the American Federation of Musicians, have ratified a five-year contract agreement. The agreement between the NJSO and the musicians union is retroactive to September 1, 2017, and runs through August 31, 2022. Under the contract, musician base pay will remain flat for the first two years of the agreement, followed by a 2 percent base wage increase in the third year, a 3 percent base wage increase in the fourth year, and a 5 percent base wage increase in the fifth year. The contract increases scheduling flexibility and defines rehearsal time for education and community engagement services. NJSO President and CEO Gabriel van Aalst stated, “The new five-year contract is an important signifier of our united desire to ensure the future of the organization. I’d like to … thank the Orchestra Committee and the musicians of the NJSO for their collaborative approach to this process.” Orchestra Committee Chair and Assistant Concertmaster Adriana Rosin said, “This agreement helps stabilize the Symphony’s next few years, allowing for an even more vibrant presence in New Jersey and aiming for growth as we approach the NJSO Centennial.” Xian Zhang is the orchestra’s music director.
Posted January 26, 2018
