“Two weeks after temporarily laying off staff and musicians, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra is offering them reduced hours,” writes Michele Jarvie in Thursday’s (4/2) Calgary Herald (Canada). “Everyone will be able to work 70 per cent of regular hours per week at home while the CPO is shut down.… Says CPO president and CEO Paul Dornian, ‘We are so relieved to be able to give them a chance to earn more than they would be making on [Employment Insurance] during this difficult time.’ The layoff notices to 83 musicians and staff took effect on March 28 but, behind the scenes, the CPO had been collaborating with its board, management team, musicians’ union and foundation to find a solution. Musicians voted unanimously on March 30 to accept the part-time plan.… After the layoff notices went out, the federal government announced a wage subsidy program covering 75 per cent of lost salaries. Dornian is confident the orchestra will qualify for that. ‘You have to show a 30 per cent reduction in revenues,’ … he said.… All performances up to and including May 16 have been postponed or cancelled…. The cancellations are expected to cost the orchestra up to $2 million in lost revenues.”
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