Musicians of the SPCO

Musicians of SPCO say Management’s failure to compromise jeopardizes continued viability of Orchestra

St. Paul, Minnesota (March 6, 2013) -The Musicians of the SPCO said today that they are disappointed by Management’s refusal to compromise resulting in the breakdown of contract talks.

No new talks are scheduled.

According to Carole Mason Smith, Chair of the Musicians’ Negotiating Committee, Management is still insisting that Musicians give back $1.5 million per year for the next four years. Management has not changed its position for the past 14 months.

Mason Smith said the Musicians have already given back $1.7 million in savings due to the lockout that began in October of 2012. That provides the required savings for the first year.
As part of their latest proposal, the Musicians have offered to give back an additional $3.4 million in concessions over the next three years. Those concessions include across the board salary cuts and an agreement to decrease the number of musicians in the ensemble from 34 to 28.  Management, however, insists that the Musicians provide approximately $4.5 million in savings over that same time period.

“We remain about $1 million apart spread out over three years,” Mason Smith said.  “This small difference may lead to the cancellation of the balance of the season and seriously imperil the future of the SPCO.  Management must come to realize that negotiations require compromise, and Management must find the courage to believe that an additional $1 million can be found to support the SPCO over the next three years.”
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