Washington DC settles orchestra strike within hours
OrchestrasIt seems the walkout worked. Shortest strike on record?
WASHINGTON—After a brief strike period, the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) leadership are pleased to announce they have reached a new 18-month labor agreement with the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, AFM Local 616-710. The growth contract, valued at $1.8 million in new costs, will increase wages by 4% in year 1 and 4% in year 2 with negotiations to commence in early 2026. The package also includes expanded healthcare options at reduced costs for the musicians (a savings of more than $1,000 annually from reductions in employee contributions), the addition of paid parental leave, updates to audition and tenure processes, and funding of a third full-time librarian position requested by the musicians. The new contract will bring the base salary for musicians to $165,268 in year 1 and $171,879 in year 2. The NSO musicians will retain their position as one of the highest compensated orchestras in the country. This 18-month contract will provide all parties time to come together to settle a longer-term agreement that demonstrates our respect for their artistic contributions and maintains the orchestra’s competitiveness in the field. This agreement also allows the Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra to operate in a way that is fiscally responsible and sustainable.
The NSO’s 2024–2025 Season Opening Gala concert on Saturday, September 28, and all future performances will now proceed as scheduled.
See my comment from the previous day. I was completely wrong and happy to be wrong on predicting a long and futile strike. Only question left is who blinked first?
I attended the opening gala and was quite disappointed. It seemed the performance suffered from inadequate preparation, possibly due to the strike. Overall, it felt mediocre and superficial, with a ‘forced climax’ throughout that was quite off-putting.
Yunchan’s debut didn’t meet my expectations, particularly in the first movement. While he appeared to be a shy and likable young man, the performance didn’t live up to the hype.