NY Philharmonic Musicians Agree To 4 Years Of Wage Cuts; Nashville Symphony Will Give Stipend To Furloughed Musicians

This May 12, 2020 file photo shows David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center,
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File – This May 12, 2020 file photo shows David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center,
closed during COVID-19 lockdown, in New York. The New York Philharmonic, silenced from performances at Lincoln Center since March by the novel coronavirus pandemic, has agreed to a four-year labor contract with its musicians through Sept. 20, 2024, that retains wage cuts throughout the entire deal.
NY Philharmonic Musicians Agree To 4 Years Of Wage Cuts 

The New York Philharmonic, silenced from performances at Lincoln Center since March by the coronavirus pandemic, has agreed to a four-year labor contract with its musicians through Sept. 20, 2024, that retains wage cuts throughout the entire deal.
The orchestra said Monday that both sides had ratified the agreement, which calls for players to earn 75% of minimum scale through Aug. 31, 2023, which comes to $2,214 weekly. Compensation increases to 80% of scale through the first six months of the following fiscal year, which comes to $2,362 weekly, and 90% for the following six months, $2,657.
The deal includes increasing percentages of overscale payments, bonuses if the philharmonic exceeds financial projections and a provision allowing up to 10 Sunday performances per season, concerts that previously had been prohibited. The philharmonic also obtained full media rights to its performances.
Colin Williams, an associated principal trombone who chairs the orchestra’s negotiating committee, said in a statement that the orchestra gave up more than $20 million in wages as part of the deal.
The Philharmonic said the pandemic caused operating losses of more than $10 million in the fiscal year ending Aug. 31 and projected it will lose $21 million in ticket revenue during its canceled 2020-21 season. The philharmonic had laid off 40% of its administrative staff and cut remaining salaries by up to 30%.

Nashville Symphony Will Give Stipend To Furloughed Musicians

The Nashville Symphony has reached an agreement with its musicians’ union to provide them with a stipend while live performances are suspended.

The agreement announced on Friday gives musicians $500 per week and continued health insurance through the end of next July. In return, the musicians will produce virtual performances, participate in educational initiatives, and help develop a plan for a safe return to the concert hall, according to a joint news release from the symphony and the Nashville Musicians Association.
The musicians were furloughed on July 1 after the symphony board of directors voted to suspend concerts through July 31, 2021. The organization has suffered what President and CEO Alan Valentine called “staggering financial losses” due to the pandemic.

Nashville Musicians Association President Dave Pomeroy said in the release that it was fortunate they could reach an agreement “to give some assistance to these world-class musicians, and help them get through this unprecedented time.”