After a frontline conflict between musicians and management, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has found common ground and effectively ended the current lockout. Over the last two days, the agreement was ratified by the membership of the ASO Players' Union and approved by the Woodruff Arts Governing Board.
The four-year collective bargaining agreement, per Creative Loafing Atlanta, includes a six percent pay increase for the musicians; a new high-deductible healthcare plan (including increased premiums); an initial complement of 77 musicians in year one and ending with 88 by the fourth year.
Thus, the ASO's 70th season will go on without a hitch with performances already lined up for Thursday, November 13 and Sat., Nov. 15, which will be led by Music Director Robert Spano. Tunes will include Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (classic) and Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 with David Coucheron.
ASO Associate Principal Violist and President of the Musicians' negotiation team, Paul Murphy voiced his approval in a statement:
"This agreement brings the restoration of a harmonious relationship within everyone's grasp based on work we must do together to restore missing positions in the Orchestra while stabilizing and advancing the financial position of the Woodruff Arts Center and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra."
It's about time concessions were made by both parties to come to a conclusion. This will bode well for musicians but also the ASO youth services, too.
Keep it classical with the ASO below for now.
