Fastexy Exchange-Philadelphia Orchestra and musicians agree to 3-year labor deal with 15.8% salary increase

2025-05-06 12:51:02source:FinLogiccategory:Contact

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Fastexy Exchangethe Philadelphia Orchestra Association have ratified a collective bargaining agreement calling for minimum salaries to increase by 15.8% over three years.

The deal announced Saturday night with Local 77 of the American Federation of Musicians covers Sept. 11 this year through Sept. 13, 2026. Increases in the agreement include 6% in the first year, 4.5% in the second and 4.5% in the third. The agreement replaces a four-year contract that expired Sept. 10.

“Following the unprecedented disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, our joint challenge was to find a new and financially responsible path forward,” Ralph W. Muller and Michael D. Zisman, co-chairs of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc., said in a statement.

The union said the deal requires management to increase the number of musicians hired each year and to ensure the contractual level of 105 musicians and two librarians is met. Substitute and extra musicians will earn 100% of what full-time musicians earn by the third year of service and ensure payment if their engagements are canceled with less than two weeks’ notice.

Other news Music Review: An expanded soundtrack marks 50th anniversary of ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’Concert Review: Lauryn Hill’s 25th ‘Miseducation’ celebration passes with a grade curveMaking music is a family affair for Alisa Weilerstein and Rafael Payare

The deal eliminates a lower rate of overtime for playing movies and calls for two days of rest after most Sunday concerts.

“This contract is a victory for the present and future for the Philadelphia Orchestra,” David Fay, a double bass who has who played with the orchestra since 1984 and chairs the musicians’ members committee, said in a statement. “We appreciate the leadership of our musical director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, whose deep respect for us as musicians was evident in his support for a fair contract.”

Base salary in 2022-23 was $152,256, including electronic media agreement wages. Each musician received a supplemental payment of $750 or $1,500 in each year of the contract, the union said.

Nézet-Séguin, the music director since 2012-13, wore a blue T-shirt supporting the union during an open rehearsal at Saratoga on Aug. 11.

The orchestra filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and emerged a year later. Musicians struck on Sept. 30, 2016, causing cancellation of that season’s opening night, then announced an agreement two days later.

More:Contact

Recommend

Angie Murimirwa: From hiding in the bathroom to Time's most influential people list

I don't mean to humble brag, but I am on a first name basis with one of the most influential people

At least 24 killed, including at least 12 police officers, in attacks in Mexico

Three separate armed attacks in Mexico on Monday left at least 24 people dead, including a dozen pol

Russian drone debris downed power lines near a Ukraine nuclear plant. A new winter barrage is likely

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia fired almost a dozen Shahed drones against Ukrainian targets and falling