Scholarship News

Detroit, MI, United States (AHN) – The Detroit Symphony Orchestra and its musicians have reached a tentative agreement that could end a six-month impasse over a new contract and budget cuts.

Striking musicians said on Monday a compromise had been reached that would require a ratification vote “in the next few days.”

The group held intensive negotiations with management over the weekend after the board of directors voted to seek $88 million to $92 million in fundraising and ticket sales over the next three years to fund an “extraordinarily challenging” proposal to musicians.

It was the first face-to-face talks between the two sides since February, when the orchestra was forced to cancel the remaining winter and spring concerts.

Management warned last week, while making clear that “significant progress” had been made, that a settlement was needed by April 1 to salvage the remaining two months of the current season, to present concerts for the summer season, and to plan 2011-2012 shows.

The orchestra is facing serious funding issues, including defaulting on interest payments to a bank group holding the bonds for a $54 million new building at the the Max Fisher Center, where the organization is based.

Discussions were beginning as early as the recession in 2009 about a new contract. Musicians went on strike last October after the orchestra made a final offer cutting wages by 33 percent in the first year, 31 percent the following year and 30 percent in the third year.

The offer would reduce starting salary for new hires by 42 percent. In addition, all musicians would be required to teach, play small group concerts and perform clerical duties.

Musicians offered to slash their wages by 22 percent in the first year, a reduction they said would give the orchestra $9 million over three years. They refused to engage in “community service” activities, arguing that an average of 20 hours a week is required to practice with the orchestra and the same amount of time is needed for individual preparation.

In early March, musicians offered to end their strike immediately if the orchestra agreed to have unresolved issues decided through arbitration. Management rejected the offer and proposed that a mediator would discuss such issues after musicians returned to work with an agreement not to strike again.

The strike, which is supported by a number of orchestras nationwide, caused the cancelation of five concerts by artists including Bobby McFerrin, the Brass Band of Battle Creek and the Canadian Brass Christmas. A group of patrons, donors and business owners have also formed a group, Save our Symphony, to help keep the nearly century-old orchestra.

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