Musicians with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philadelphia Orchestra Association have ratified a collective bargaining agreement calling for a 15.8 percent minimum wage increase over three years.
The agreement announced Saturday night with the American Federation of Musicians Local 77 covers September 11 of this year through September 13, 2026. The increases in the agreement include 6% in the first year, 4.5% in the second year and 4.5% in the third year. The agreement replaces a four-year contract that expired on September 10.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented times,” said Ralph W. Muller and Michael D. Zisman, co-chairmen of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Center Corporation. In the wake of the devastation, our collective challenge is to find a new, economically responsible path forward,” it said in a statement.
The union said the agreement requires management to increase the number of musicians employed each year and ensure contract levels of 105 musicians and two librarians are met. Replacement and session musicians will receive 100% of a full-time musician’s income in their third year of service and are guaranteed to be paid if their gig is canceled with less than two weeks’ notice.
The agreement eliminates lower overtime pay for showing movies and requires two days off after most Sunday concerts.
“This contract is a victory for the Philadelphia Orchestra now and for the future,” David Fay, a double bassist who has played with the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1984 and is chairman of the Musicians Committee, said in a statement express. “We are grateful for the leadership of Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, whose deep respect for us as musicians is reflected in his support for a fair contract.”
Basic salary in 2022-23 $152,256, including electronic media agreement salary. The union said each musician will receive supplemental payments of $750 or $1,500 per year during the contract.
Nézet-Séguin, music director since 2012-13, wore a pro-union blue T-shirt during a public rehearsal in Saratoga on Aug. 11.
The band filed for bankruptcy in 2011 and bounced back a year later. The agreement was announced two days later after musicians went on strike on September 30, 2016, resulting in the cancellation of the season opening night.
Svlook
