Cleveland O Players Authorize Strike

The musicians of the Cleveland Orchestra held a press conference yesterday to announce their unanimous vote to authorize a strike, should they not come to terms with management by September 23, when their recently extended contract expires. Opening night of Franz Welser Most’s 25^th and final season is Sept. 17; negotiations have been underway since the first week of July. 

The players are basically looking for more money, although they’re also asking for better work rules to prevent injuries common to their trade, like tendinitis, as well as a more substantial role in auditions “that is more than just symbolic or advisory.” Their current three-year contract had yearly increases of 4 percent, 3 percent, and 3 percent. Not enough, apparently.

“You can’t expect the extraordinary on substandard pay and treatment,” said Brian Pearson, executive secretary at North Shore Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, at the press conference.

“[O]ur labor movement stands with these world-renowned musicians... it is the Orchestra that puts Cleveland on the map nationally and around the world.”

Players negotiating chair violinist Elayna Duitman said that unless salaries remain competitive with other of the major U.S. orchestras, Cleveland might lose its status in the top ranks. Current base salary is listed in one source at $236,000, just slightly below the Chicago Symphony but above most of the other big guns.

The orchestra’s official response to this threat:

“We continue to negotiate in good faith as evidenced by the extension through September 23 agreed by both sides on September 2. 

“We do not comment on ongoing negotiations, and we do not negotiate in the media.”