“The Cleveland Orchestra musicians have reached and ratified a three-year contract agreement with management, effective in the current season through 2020-21,” states an unsigned article at Musical America (subscription required). “The orchestra, which ended fiscal 2018 in the red, with a deficit of $1.3 million on a budge of $53 million, will give its musicians two percent annual pay increases plus increases in benefits in life insurance, retirement, and long-term disability. Base pay before the increases was around $135,000. The musicians in turn will give management ‘greater flexibility.’ ” The orchestra states that in addition to the pay raise, a new tier of seniority pay for musicians at the 25-year mark has been created to acknowledge their dedication, and that a joint advisory committee will be convened to review the costs and impact of the musicians’ healthcare premiums. “In August, the orchestra received an unexpected bequest of $9.3 million from longtime patron and donor Jean Hower Taber (1922-2017). And one year ago, Board Chair Richard Smucker pledged $15 million to the orchestra.”
Posted January 2, 2019
