Chicago strike: Talks break down

The two sides met yesterday, reiterated fixed positions and went their separate ways. The strike is now in its seventh week.

The CSOA said: ‘The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (CSOA) and the Chicago Federation of Musicians (CFM) held a negotiation session today on a new contract for the members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO).  During the session, the CFM presented a counter proposal to the Association’s last, best and final offer presented on April 7.  The CFM essentially reiterated, with very minor changes, its previous proposals, including retention of an open defined benefit plan for all current and new members, untenable wage increases and additional paid time off. The CSOA was unable to accept this proposal.  The parties have not scheduled any further sessions at this time.’

The musicians said: ‘At this afternoon’s negotiations, the Chicago Federation of Musicians offered another compromise proposal which was flatly rejected by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.  The Association restated their ‘last, best, and final’ offer and has not
budged an inch, nor shared any new path for resolution of the six-week old strike.’