The Kennedy Center and the union representing musicians in the National Symphony Orchestra have come to an agreement on a short-term 18-month labor contract after a short strike that threatened today’s season-opening gala.
The short-term contract “will provide all parties time to come together to settle a longer-term agreement that demonstrates our respect for their artistic contributions and maintains the orchestra’s competitiveness in the field,” the Kennedy Center said in a statement.
The new deal will increase wages by 4% in the first year and 4% in the second year with negotiations on a longer-term deal to commence in early 2026. The contract will bring the base salary for musicians to $165,268 and then $171,879.
