Contract Agreement Reached, Strike Lifted

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: www.POMusicians.org.


Contact:
 
John Koen, Chairman, Members Committee
          cello.koen@gmail.com
          (707)-653-5636