Pacific Symphony Musicians Threaten Strike

The latest news in the Pacific Symphony musicians strike, according to reports:

The Musicians of the Pacific Symphony have unanimously rejected the employer's recent contract offer and reaffirmed the strike authorization they had previously granted to their union leadership. Bob Sanders, President of Orange County Musicians' Association, Local 7 of the American Federation of Musicians states "Our bargaining team wanted to reassess the position of the bargaining unit with their full knowledge of where the parties stand at the present time. The orchestra offered its support resoundingly."

Local 7 and Pacific Symphony management have been bargaining since July to renew their Labor Agreement, which expired August 31, 2016. At issue is the musicians desire to have a predictable schedule, a guaranteed annual wage, and a contract that increases work offered. Pacific Symphony, the nation's 22nd largest symphony orchestra by size of annual budget, currently operates with annual expenditures of approximately $20 million while providing less work and a lower wage for musicians than any other large orchestra around the country.

According to Local 7 bargaining committee chairman and Pacific Symphony violist Adam Neeley, "Pacific Symphony musicians, when compared with their colleagues who play in orchestras of similar size and scope, are the only orchestral musicians in the country who don't have the assurance from year to year of a fixed schedule or annual wage. While our employer has offered a form of annual service guarantees, the offer on the table fails to grow work in the coming years, leaves musicians guessing when they might be called for services, and would leave the musicians exposed to possible cost-saving cuts."...

The parties have no bargaining dates set. According to Neeley, "we will perform the upcoming concert with the Pacific Chorale out of respect for our longtime relationship with them. After that, we cannot ensure how much longer we can continue to perform without a contract. We feel strongly that these serious concerns must begin to be addressed."

The Pacific Symphony Orchestra has released the following statement about the latest contract negotiations:

Since its contract with the musicians union expired on August 31, Pacific Symphony has continued to act in good faith to negotiate a new contract. Our offers have been designed to address union concerns about predictability of work and annual wages. The board maintains its commitment to a contract that provides stable and meaningful work for musicians while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization. For now, all programs will continue as scheduled.

Over the past 37 years, Pacific Symphony has become an innovative, successful organization embraced by Southern California. Musicians, of course, are our greatest asset in serving the community. Together, through our concerts, our award-winning education and community engagement programs, our work with health and human services organizations, and our multiple community-based offerings, we are proud to serve more than 300,000 people every year.

Photo Credit: Vern Evans