From Texas the news comes that San Antonio Symphony musicians and Music Director Sebastian Lang-Lessing have offered to accept pay cuts during the 2016-17 season to help the orchestra out of financial difficulties. Musicians will get paid for 27 weeks only instead of the contracted 30.
The Grand Rapids Symphony (Michigan) is said to have reached a tentative five-year agreement after more than seven months of negotiations. The new agreement must still be ratified by the board and the musicians before terms are released.
In Fort Worth however, the battle for a new contract has taken a new step. The orchestra’s musicians performed a sit-in at symphony offices on Thursday after management cancelled upcoming contract negotiation meetings. Board President Amy Adkins said management simply postponed the meetings and planned to send almost a dozen possible new meeting dates to the union.
