Contract negotiations continued this week and after over six months of bargaining, management still proposes to cut our salaries back to 2003 levels, squandering years of growth.
This isn’t the first time management has demanded cuts. During the recession, musicians agreed to a 13.5% pay cut—saving the orchestra over $2.3 million since 2010. Yet as the economy recovered, the symphony’s budget has actually gone down, from a high of $13.1 million in 2009 to $11.9 million in 2014.
Once again, the musicians are being told to pay for a pattern of short-sighted management. We continue to bargain, but we are concerned that management still insists full-time work be cut from 46 to 39 weeks. Fort Worth deserves an orchestra that reflects its vital role in our community.
This week we submitted our third financial counter-proposal with significant additional savings to the orchestra, as well as a one year pay freeze. In turn, we call for a fair contract and credible fundraising plan that grows our orchestra during a time of economic strength in the region.
This isn’t the first time management has demanded cuts. During the recession, musicians agreed to a 13.5% pay cut—saving the orchestra over $2.3 million since 2010. Yet as the economy recovered, the symphony’s budget has actually gone down, from a high of $13.1 million in 2009 to $11.9 million in 2014.
Once again, the musicians are being told to pay for a pattern of short-sighted management. We continue to bargain, but we are concerned that management still insists full-time work be cut from 46 to 39 weeks. Fort Worth deserves an orchestra that reflects its vital role in our community.
This week we submitted our third financial counter-proposal with significant additional savings to the orchestra, as well as a one year pay freeze. In turn, we call for a fair contract and credible fundraising plan that grows our orchestra during a time of economic strength in the region.
RSS Feed
