Can anyone find a flashlight? Or even a ray of sunshine to fall on this strike, now extended into its second week?
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| Can someone help light the way? |
PSO president and CEO Melia Tourangeau hasn't yet found a reasonable solution to this impasse. As in so many contractual disagreements, the sticking point is a financial one. Management's solution? A 15% cut in base pay. Oh, but future years would offer two and three percent givebacks in years two and three of the agreement!
The orchestra is projecting shortfalls of up to $4.5 million in upcoming years. This summons the question: Why the heck did the orchestra undertake a lengthy European tour this past spring? Surely management knew that the financials were dire at that time, but everyone flew off to Europe as if nothing was wrong. Short-sighted? Blind, even?
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| What this really necessary--especially with regard to cost? |
The Post-Gazette reports, “Let’s be clear: If they want us to come together and figure this out, they’ve got to come back to the table and work with us on this,” Ms. Tourangeau said of union members. But that isn't going to happen while management remains entrenched.
Micah Howard, a bassist who chairs the orchestra committee, said musicians would resume contract discussions if management will reconsider its most recent offer. That plan includes the 15 percent pay cut, among other changes.
But, but, but......
Earned revenue for the fiscal year, posted on the PSO website, showed that ticket sales increased by 4 percent — the first increase in over 10 years. And according to the PSO site, this season’s subscriptions are beating last year’s. The case is the same with regard to fundraising, which was record-breaking, as demonstrated by a 25 percent increase of the PSO’s annual fund (from the Pitt News).
So, the musicians continue to offer free concerts wherever they can, and picket lines continue outside Heinz Hall. Other tenants of the Hall have offered solidarity by refusing to cross the line, but none of that brings either side closer to just
sitting down and talking! And the reputation of the PSO, as well as its city, will decline.
Regarding the orchestra's tour: most of it is paid for by corporate sponsorship, with ticket sales and other donor gifts making up the difference. I think this is a common approach to big tours - they're underwritten.
ReplyDeleteI understand that this is probably how tours are funded. One has to believe that the PSO knew of its pending financial hardship when soliciting sponsorships and other gifts. To turn around a few months later and offer a "last, best, and final" offer demanding concessions from the musicians is at least, questionable financial stewardship.
DeleteHear, hear.
ReplyDeleteThe disparity between financials presented by management vs. musicians is significant - that's another area of stewardship to question.