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In the DFW area we have three orchestras either refusing to negotiate a union contract or arbitrarily changing the contract to fit the current economic hope and change. For example, the Richardson Symphony was put on the AFM Unfair List for refusing to negotiate after nearly three decades of a union negotiated contract.

Coincidentally, all three orchestras initiated this tactic immediately after a national convention of orchestra managers.

I would be interested in knowing if orchestras in other cities are either refusing to negotiate a contract or are trying to make changes in a current contract without negotiations.

Please feel free to contact by PM if a public forum doesn't suit your situation.

Are the musicians or the management refusing?

Alex-
Just a thought--with your Ray leaving as President of your Local to become the new AFM President, I wonder if these three orchestras aren't going to 'check out' whoever replaces Ray, and maybe this is one of the reason(s)...
mark

jonesmj wrote:Alex-
Just a thought--with your Ray leaving as President of your Local to become the new AFM President, I wonder if these three orchestras aren't going to 'check out' whoever replaces Ray, and maybe this is one of the reason(s)...
mark

I will bet that they are happy to have Ray gone, he is bulldog tough. You never doubt where he stands.

These issues started shortly before Ray was elected.

jacojdm wrote:Are the musicians or the management refusing?

One orchestra is refusing to negotiate a union contract after several decades of doing so and two are trying to change their contract outside of any negotiation.

If I had a signed contract with a business and they wrote me a letter saying they were changing it to their benefit I would refuse to agree. I would guess most of the musicians are refusing to recognize the change.