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June 19, 2015

HSO musicians bristle at proposed wage cut

Contributed photo The Bushnell in Hartford, which houses HSO operations and concerts.
By Matt Pilon

The Hartford Symphony Orchestra board approved a budget this week that musicians say could lead to a cut their wages of as much as 40 percent.

The 47-member HSO board has 10 seats held by musicians, all of whom voted against the proposal Wednesday, according to Local 400 of the American Federation of Musicians.

Long-time HSO violinist and union negotiating committee member Michael Pollard said Friday that the budget adopted this week indicates that HSO intends to push ahead with a proposal to keep its pay rates flat for another three years for the 33 members of its core orchestra, while reducing the number of guaranteed events for which they are paid from 180 to 115.

Management has also proposed in contract negotiation that 22 "basic orchestra" members be available for more daytime events, which the union said will interfere with their other jobs, often as music teachers.

Core orchestra members make between $23,000 and $24,000 per year, the union said. Pollard said he expects some musicians would be forced to quit if the cuts go through.

Another 20-plus musicians in the service-players tier have been asked to work more daytime events and accept a cut to their work guarantee, Pollard said.

The budget for the coming year assumes an operating deficit of $514,000, down from a deficit of $961,000 last year, according to Pollard.

James Remis, chairman of the HSO board, said in a statement Friday that the adopted budget moves the symphony toward "fiscal stability and growth."

"Unlike the musicians, we chose not to comment on any aspects of the negotiations that are currently underway," Remis said. "We remain optimistic that our differences at the negotiating table will be amicably resolved over the coming weeks, but we remain firm in our commitment to fulfill our now formalized commitment to making the changes necessary to assure the long-term future of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra."

Though the budget is passed, the musicians are still negotiating a three-year contract with HSO, which last year signed a management-services contract with The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Negotiations began in January.

Musicians have criticized management for what they say are substantial allotments in the budget for salaries for managers, conductors, and Music Director Carolyn Kuan, who signed a six-year contract in April.

The union plans to rally in front of the Bushnell on Labor Day.

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