One has to wonder: where was this person hiding all this time? Why didn't orchestra development personnel identify him/her well in advance of this mess? Oh wait, for all intents and purposes the FWSO development office is non-existent--or at least headless, as there have been five (or is it six?) VPs of Development over the past five years.
From what has been released, here's what we know of the four-year contract:
- A wage freeze in years 1 and 2.
- 2% increase in year 3.
- 2-1/2% increase in year 4.
- Eliminate 7 vacation days.
Bass Hall, Fort Worth: $4100 per rehearsal/performance in rent. |
The next performance of the FWSO will be on New Year's Eve and the remainder of the season will go forth as originally scheduled.
So, it's over but can it be called a victory for the players? Not really although this is a far cry from Amy Adkins's "last, best, and final offer" presented before the strike began. Still, the organization can take much from this mess:
- The statement announcing the end of the labor dispute, released last night, stated, This agreement was reached after two days of federal mediation and more than a year of good faith bargaining. Focus on the last three words. There was no good faith bargaining because management--time and time again--refused to meet.
- The FWSO pays something to the tune of $4100 in rent every time they open the doors of Bass Hall, whether for concerts or rehearsals. In Dallas? Meyerson Hall is had for $1 per year! Of course, the DSO helped to raise money to build the place while in Fort Worth, the bulk of the money came from the family of the current Chair of the FWSO Board. Oh.....wait......
Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas (damn gorgeous!) $1 rent for the whole year! |
- As earlier stated, the Development Office is in a shambles. Right now, that is the most important task of the Board, CEO Adkins, and all of the stakeholders of the organization. The economy long ago recovered in Fort Worth. Any statements that "the money isn't there" are patently false. This needs to be fixed or heads need to roll.
And the silent Music Director has finally offered very non-committal platitudes:
May it be so, at lease until the next "negotiation".
Amazing what 700 large can do! Really though, if that's all it took to break the strike this is absolutely pathetic. Communities need to support orchestras, but typically no one cares until it's too late. Withholding money via decreased donations, attendance etc. is just death by a thousand cuts.
ReplyDeleteIt's apparently the same story in both Ft. Worth AND Pittsburgh. Again, the cash was right there in front of them. It doesn't seem that difficult to go out and ask.
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