Representatives from labor unions and managements participated in candid conversations about building productive relationships at the League of American Orchestras' 67th National Conference, June 5 – 8, 2012 in Dallas, TX. Nearly 1,000 professionals and volunteers from across the orchestra field attended the event, which also featured performances by the Dallas and Fort Worth symphony orchestras.
Calling on delegates to "put the interests of our orchestras ahead of any single constituent interest," League President and CEO Jesse Rosen introduced opening-session speakers Jimmy Settles Jr. of the United Auto Workers and Marty Mulloy of the Ford Motor Company, who described how they built a relationship that led to an innovative collaborative process and a landmark agreement for the auto industry. [Watch video here]The following morning the two speakers were joined by Bruce Ridge, chairman of the International Conference of Symphony Orchestra Musicians; Carla Lehmeier-Tatum, president of the Regional Orchestra Players Association; Robert Levine, president of Milwaukee Local #8, American Federation of Musicians and principAl Viola of the Milwaukee Symphony; Melia Tourangeau, president and CEO of Utah Symphony/Utah Opera; and Brent Assink, executive director of the San Francisco Symphony, for a wide-ranging facilitated discussion of how to bridge differences and improve working relationships, followed by questions. Among the issues raised were how to move beyond painful history and how to productively engage between negotiations.Videos