Last week, the Atlanta Symphony and the Orchestra Players' Association have reached a four-year collective bargaining agreement, ready to open the postponed 70th anniversary season on Nov. 13.
The musicians were locked out in the contract dispute since Sept. 6, and after several weeks of a dim outlook, with the entire season in jeopardy, agreement was reached on the use of mediators from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services, who eventually assisted in the talks leading to the announcement of the agreement. Said Paul Murphy, ASO Associate Principal Violist and president of the musicians’ negotiating team:This agreement brings the restoration of a harmonious relationship within everyone's grasp based on work we must do together to restore missing positions in the orchestra while stabilizing and advancing the financial position of the Woodruff Arts Center and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.
The new agreement calls for a 6% pay increase for the musicians over four years; participation by the musicians in a new high-deductible healthcare plan, which will include increased premium contributions by the musicians and additionally provides substantial savings to the ASO; an initial complement of 77 musicians in year one, a goal of 81 musicians in year two, a commitment to 84 musicians by the end of year three, and 88 musicians by the end of year four.
Similar difficult contract agreements, following strikes and lockouts, have also been reached in the past couple of years in Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, and San Francisco.