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I think Pittsburgh and Philadelphia should swap.

bort wrote:I think Pittsburgh and Philadelphia should swap.

We'll, that is a solution... not sure if either party of either situation would go for it, but kudos for thinking outside of the box.

That was quick.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20161 ... 73-11.html

PRESS STATEMENT, October 2, 2016

We, the Musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra, with the deepest respect for our music, our audience, the City of Philadelphia, and the world's musical community, have today ratified a new contract. This agreement covers the next 3 years, and gives us modest increases of 2%, 2 1/2% and 2 1/2%. These increases do not achieve our goal of being compensated on a level comparable with other leading American Orchestras.

The Philadelphia Orchestra Association has indicated to us that it will be engaging in new methods to enhance the position of the Orchestra in the community and to reach new donors. The musicians have committed to working with the Association in these endeavors.

The musicians believe that the vast majority of the recommendations made by Michael Kaiser should be adopted by the Association. We will be closely watching to see if this occurs.

When we reluctantly went on strike a few days ago, we had no expectation that we could quickly restore this Orchestra to the compensation and working conditions for which we are striving. But we felt that, after years of decline which threatened to become irreversible, this was the only way in which we could call attention to a situation we regarded as desperate.

Three years from now, we look forward to ratifying a contract which will truly restore the Philadelphia Orchestra to its rightful place among the great orchestras of the world.

We hope to see you at any of our October 4th Audience Appreciation Day concerts. Further information can be found on our website: http://www.POMusicians.org

The new deal, reached with the help of a federal mediator, calls for wage increases of 2 percent in year one, and 2.5 percent increases each in years two and three, which brings base pay to $137,800 in the third year of the contract. Many musicians earn more, and principal players substantially more.

A federal mediator for a two day old strike??

Three Valves wrote:The new deal, reached with the help of a federal mediator, calls for wage increases of 2 percent in year one, and 2.5 percent increases each in years two and three, which brings base pay to $137,800 in the third year of the contract. Many musicians earn more, and principal players substantially more.

A federal mediator for a two day old strike??

Smart...lock the doors, and get a deal done....

"This agreement covers the next 3 years, and gives us modest increases of 2%, 2 1/2% and 2 1/2%."

Wage increases of 2, 2.5 and 2.5 percent (in today's economic climate) are considered "modest"?

Over 3 years, that figures to be a raise of roughly $9159, on the base salary; "many musicians (will) earn more, and principal players substantially more."

What's the rate of inflation nowadays?

I know two guys in different financial careers. One gets big fees for his work. I asked the other one why anybody would ever pay those fees, the amounts are big. His answer, "if you're good, they'll pay".

It also helps if the fees are hidden...

roweenie wrote:"This agreement covers the next 3 years, and gives us modest increases of 2%, 2 1/2% and 2 1/2%."

Wage increases of 2, 2.5 and 2.5 percent (in today's economic climate) are considered "modest"?

Over 3 years, that figures to be a raise of roughly $9159.

What's the rate of inflation nowadays?

"Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, will also end 2017 at 2.4%, up just a tick from the 2.3% rate we expect this year."

by DAVID PAYNE, Kiplinger Staff Economist
September 16, 2016

Seems in the ballpark to me

windshieldbug wrote:

roweenie wrote:"This agreement covers the next 3 years, and gives us modest increases of 2%, 2 1/2% and 2 1/2%."

Wage increases of 2, 2.5 and 2.5 percent (in today's economic climate) are considered "modest"?

Over 3 years, that figures to be a raise of roughly $9159.

What's the rate of inflation nowadays?

"Core inflation, which excludes food and energy, will also end 2017 at 2.4%, up just a tick from the 2.3% rate we expect this year."

by DAVID PAYNE, Kiplinger Staff Economist
September 16, 2016

Seems in the ballpark to me

I find this interesting. People on Social Security didn't get a raise in their benefits this year, and the year before only 1.7%, because they are tied to the rate of inflation. Furthermore, it's predicted to go up .82% in 2017.

It's too bad for those folks that David Payne doesn't work for the SSA.

There's quite a difference between 2.3% and 0.0%, or 2.4% and 0.82% - I wonder who's telling the truth.....

BTW, how can anyone know what the rate of inflation will be for a year that hasn't even begun yet?

As a side note, who is writing these press releases for the orchestra? As a person who in his second career routinely risked his life for less than half of what these folks receive for their services (and was eligible for food stamps for the first 3 years of it), in his entire career never worked under a current contract (sometimes as long as three years expired), and was denied, by law, the right to strike, I find it off-putting to use adjectives like "desperate" to describe the situation of people who make upwards of $130,000 per year.

(This is not to say I'm advocating "class envy", or even that I'm complaining - I knew what it was I was signing on to, as did they - if you're trying to get sympathy from the public, just be careful how you word things, that's all...)