After a five week lockout and five months of negotiations, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has reached an agreement with union officials. The deal includes a substantial pay cut for the ISO's musicians.
The ISO and Local Three of the American Federation of Musicians have agreed to a short and long term contract. In addition to a shortened playing season, the new agreement includes $11.5 million in concessions from the musicians, and a 33% pay cut for the first year of the contract.
ISO Spokesperson Jessica DiSanto says a shorter ‘bridge’ agreement will allow the musicians to begin work immediately, and the five year agreement will take effect early next year.
“It allows us the time to raise some significant dollars from some new sources that we feel very confident we can do, but need some time with. It allows us the time we need, and then the five year agreement begins early February,” she says.
DiSanto says several community members stepped forward during the lockout and voiced their support for both the symphony and its musicians.
In a statement, musicians’ union spokesperson Richard Graef says the negotiations have been challenging, but he and the other musicians are glad to be working again.
Several concerts had to be canceled because an agreement between the two sides could not be reached. The symphony season begins this weekend, with Maestro Krzysztof Urba?ski conducting the Lilly Classical Series.