Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) management proposed this week to more than double musicians’ health care costs, and further reduce the season’s length from 46 to 42 weeks.
“This is just more of the same—management’s proposal would slash our annual salaries to 2003 levels,” said Ed Jones, a tuba player in the orchestra for 15 years. “Although management proposed a tiny increase in our weekly pay, the cuts to the season would mean that I lose over $5,000 a year in wages--with my health care premiums more than doubling.”
Orchestra members, whose base salary is currently $55,000 per year, took a 13.5% pay cut in 2010, saving the orchestra over $2.3 million to help with the bottom line.
“Management had 6 years in a growing economy to solve their financial problems,” said FWSO cellist Shelley Jessup. “Balancing the budget on the backs of the musicians is wrong. We’ll keep fighting for a fair contract that promotes growth, not cuts.”
Contract negotiations continue on May 19 and May 31. The Fort Worth Symphony’s collective bargaining agreement expires on July 31.
“This is just more of the same—management’s proposal would slash our annual salaries to 2003 levels,” said Ed Jones, a tuba player in the orchestra for 15 years. “Although management proposed a tiny increase in our weekly pay, the cuts to the season would mean that I lose over $5,000 a year in wages--with my health care premiums more than doubling.”
Orchestra members, whose base salary is currently $55,000 per year, took a 13.5% pay cut in 2010, saving the orchestra over $2.3 million to help with the bottom line.
“Management had 6 years in a growing economy to solve their financial problems,” said FWSO cellist Shelley Jessup. “Balancing the budget on the backs of the musicians is wrong. We’ll keep fighting for a fair contract that promotes growth, not cuts.”
Contract negotiations continue on May 19 and May 31. The Fort Worth Symphony’s collective bargaining agreement expires on July 31.
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