Atl Symphony Orchestra Ratifies Two-Year Contract

A two-year labor agreement between the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Players Association (ASOPA), the Atlanta Federation of Musicians, Local 148-462, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra management was announced today. This will allow the Orchestra's 2012-13 season to open as scheduled on Thursday, October 4, 2012, with Music Director Robert Spano and the renowned violinist Midori.

The new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the musicians covers the period from September 23, 2012, through September 6, 2014, and amounts to $2.4 million in annual contractual savings. Additional savings will come as a result of ASO senior staff compensation -which will be reduced by 6% for the duration of the two-year contract- as well as unfilled staff positions, and savings from foregone wages and benefits from the musicians.

Management must still generate at least an additional $2.5 million in earned and contributed revenues to balance the annual projected budget deficit gap of $5 million. The Orchestra's accumulated deficit is approaching $20 million - its annual operating budget is $45 million and its annual revenue is approximately $40 million.