“The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians voted to reject what union spokesmen described as a ‘take it or leave it’ contract proposal that would have returned them to Meyerhoff Symphony Hall to open the 2019-20 season this weekend—but at the expense of summer concerts and a pay cut,” writes Mary Carole McCauley in Wednesday’s (9/11) Baltimore Sun. “The musicians’ vote to reject two contract options proposed by management … means that the work stoppage will continue and that the season, which had been slated to begin Saturday, will likely be postponed…. The symphony will not attempt to hire replacement musicians…. The musicians have been working without a contract since January…. The first option of the deal the musicians rejected was for a one-year contract that would have expired Aug. 31, 2020…. The second option would have extended the expired contract through Dec. 31, in the hope of hammering out a long-term agreement over the next four months…. The musicians … have planned a ‘celebration of Baltimore’ concert at 4 p.m. [on Saturday] at New Shiloh Baptist Church…. Marin Alsop, the BSO’s music director, will take the podium. U.S. Rep Elijah Cummings and City Council President Brandon Scott, both Democrats, are scheduled to make remarks.”
Posted September 12, 2019
