Spokane Symphony Orchestra

[RyanSchultz]

Friends:

I write to solict your support and empathy for our friends and colleagues of the Spokane Symphony. I had the pleasure of starting the 2011-12 season with them. SSO is a wonderful orchestra with a great hall. This is, in my view, really a shame.

http://spokanesymphonymusicians.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank

"We regret to inform you that the bargaining committee for the Musicians of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra have called a strike, effective at 5:00PM on Saturday, November 3, 2012.

The Spokane Symphony Society had previously imposed their "final" offer on Friday, October 19th. They rescinded that imposed offer on Friday, October 26th following the Union's threat to pursue Unfair Labor Practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board, and further meetings were scheduled on November 1st and 2nd.

After already having voluntarily made nearly $300,000 in concessions since 2009, the Musicians of the Spokane Symphony, cognizant of the ongoing financial challenges the orchestra is facing, recently offered a total of 6.66% in wage reductions to the Symphony, which would result in a base core salary of $16,296. In addition, numerous ideas regarding utilizing services for fund raising and community outreach/education were proposed. However, these offers have been rejected. Musicians cannot sustain a 13.33% proposed annual wage cut down to $15,132, coupled with an unusually restrictive unpaid leave policy that would severely inhibit musicians' ability to pursue employment opportunities elsewhere.

The Spokane Symphony's Society financial proposal has not changed since their final offer, notwithstanding the Union's continued efforts to work with the Society in attempting to reach a livable compromise. The musicians of the Spokane Symphony and their representatives remain willing to engage in productive talks in order to resolve this contract dispute."

[RyanSchultz]

From: Musicians of the Spokane Symphony on facebook


"Attention friends and fans: The Musicians of the Spokane Symphony will be picketing outside the Fox Theater today at 5 pm. Please come and support us in our quest to come to a fair contract agreement.
You can also help bring the music back to the stage by writing to:
The Spokesman Review: http://www.spokesman.com/letters/submit/" target="_blank or
The Northwest Inlander: http://www.inlander.com/spokane/flex-15 ... ct-us.html" target="_blank

Copy to: Spokane Symphony: symphonymarketing@spokanesymphony.org" target="_blank Professional Musicians, Local 105 AFM: promus105@earthlink.net" target="_blank"