“Furloughed musicians of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra say management … terminated employer-provided health insurance for the musicians when a current furlough began June 7,” writes David Lindquist in Monday’s (6/29) Indianapolis Star. “James Johnson, the orchestra’s CEO, said the musicians … chose to accept an earlier series of cash payments rather than coverage…. ‘It was not our intention, by any means, to deprive our musicians of health insurance during this time,’ Johnson said…. ISO staff members and stagehands are receiving health insurance coverage while being furloughed, and Johnson said the musicians could have been in the same situation…. ‘At no point did the ISO make any proposal to our representatives that included an offer to maintain health insurance coverage for the musicians after June 7,’ said Brian Smith, a double bass player and chair of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Committee…. Johnson said he wants ‘to begin discussions with the musicians very soon.’ … A two-week furlough began March 27 and ended when the orchestra received a Paycheck Protection Program loan…. The current furlough is open-ended.… In April [there were] layoffs of nearly half of the administrative staff.” The current musicians contract is set to expire on September 6; the orchestra’s first planned concert of the new season is September 18.
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