May 11, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … The musicians of the Oregon Symphony voted Tuesday to accept and ratify a one-year contract between the Symphony Association and Local 99 of the American Federation of Musicians, said Ken Shirk, secretary-treasurer of the local union. The Symphony’s Board of Directors will vote on ratification of the contract, which calls for a 4 percent increase in orchestra compensation, at its regularly scheduled meeting on May 25.
“We are very pleased that the orchestra has voted to ratify,” said Symphony Board Chair Maria Pope. “The final step in the process is for the members of our board to have the opportunity to do the same.
“The proposed contract continues to recognize the excellent work of our musicians,” Pope added. “I’d like to thank Symphony President Bill Ryberg and Vice President and General Manager Mary Crist for their hard work as the negotiating representatives of the association.”
The proposed contract would cover the 2005-2006 season, said Pope.
“Our top priority as an institution has been to support the excellent work of Music Director Carlos Kalmar and the musicians by expanding the donor base to a level that will secure our financial future,” said Pope. “We are currently in the second year of a three-year campaign to do that. When the campaign is completed we will have a much better sense of what we can offer the musicians for the future.”
The proposed contract would increase each musician's salary and benefits by approximately $2,500 and establish expanded and updated nonrenewal procedures. It also would establish new scheduling guidelines to reduce the risk of job-related injuries and ailments.
