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For information about concerts the Columbus Symphony musicians
are presenting please visit the concert web site at

http://www.mcsconcerts.org

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August 7, 2008

The Columbus Saga, Briefly
by Leonard Leibowitz, ICSOM Counsel
[and counsel to the Columbus Symphony musicians]

This text is from the August 2008 Senza Sordino, the official publication
of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians
http://www.icsom.org/archive/senza/senza_46_08/senza_46_3.pdf

On January 18, 2008, the Columbus Dispatch reported the results of a “Strategic Plan” prepared by the board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO). The plan concluded, and the Dispatch reported, that the CSO budget was to be cut immediately by $3 million—from $12.5 million to $9.5 million. This was to be accomplished, in part, by firing 22 of the 53 full-time musicians and cutting the 46-week season by 12 weeks.

The plan had never been discussed with the musicians during its development and the first they heard of it was weeks before the first scheduled bargaining session. At that first bargaining session, management made that proposal for a one-year contract to the union team (“Committee”). The union (Central Ohio Federation of Musicians, Local 103) responded with a proposal for a three-year contract with a six percent cut in musicians’ compensation in the first year, smaller cuts in the second, and recovery in the third. The union’s proposal, of course, did not include the firing of any current players, but a willingness to discuss a reduction in the size of the orchestra, gradually, by attrition. The CSO response to this proposal was to drop the demand for firing any musicians, but instead, proposed a reduction in the total compensation of the 53 full-time musicians by 40% and cutting the per service rate for subs and extras from $150 to $100—a 33 1/3% reduction for these musicians who enjoy few benefits and no job security. That proposal, of course, simply moved money around and the proposed budget would remain at $9.5 million.

When that was rejected, the next proposal from the CSO was that any money raised over and above the $9.5 million would be “shared” with the musicians. An interesting proposal in light of their position that it was impossible for them to raise any more than $9.5 million in Columbus. When the union asked about a multi-year agreement, the response was affirmative, provided that each year was to be budgeted at $9.5 million. Nevertheless, in a further attempt to accommodate the board, the union even proposed that if they insisted on that magical $9.5 million, the union would accept it, provided that the musicians’ share would be $5 million—still a reduction from the previous musicians’ compensation of $5.6 million by over $500,000! This, too, was rejected and the management continued to insist that the musicians’ share be slashed to $3.6 million.

Because the management was obviously not bargaining in good faith, the union proposed that the “bargaining” end and that the dispute be submitted to impartial binding arbitration. Once again, that proposal was rejected. The response of the union was to suggest that a consultant/mediator from the orchestra field be invited to help. That suggestion was likewise rejected.

At that point the CSO team turned their previous proposal into a “final offer.” In order to dispel any notion that the Union and the Committee were not truly representative of the orchestra, the Union agreed to take it back to the bargaining unit, albeit with a recommendation that they reject it. And reject it they did—60 to 0. At the meeting, not a single musician expressed any interest in their “final offer” despite the Committee’s admonition that rejection could mean the shutdown of operations.

Upon learning of the vote and after one more meeting with the union team, the CSO confirmed that no proposal from the union would be acceptable which did not contain a $9.5 million budget and a 40% cut in musicians’ compensation. With no further meetings scheduled, the board then announced their intention to cancel the seven-week summer season. In our opinion, for a number of reasons, such a “shutdown” constituted an illegal lockout. When the union would not relent, the board followed through on the threat and the summer season was cancelled. At the same time, the board announced that the CBA was terminated. A grievance was filed and the filing of an unfair labor practice will follow.

After cancelling the summer season, the board finally agreed to consultation/mediation with the executive director of the Nashville Symphony, Alan Valentine. Immediately upon reaching that agreement, management insisted upon bringing in a labor mediator as well. This had never been discussed—the CSO simply chose the mediator and invited him. Nevertheless, in order not to kill the mediation, and because it is only mediation and not arbitration, the union agreed to add the labor mediator.

The mediation lasted three days, and despite the best efforts of the mediators, the “final offer” of the management which was presented to the Committee was rejected by the Committee and ultimately by the overwhelming vote of the orchestra. As of this writing no further meetings are scheduled.




July 23, 2008

CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.

1585 BETHEL RD., SUITE 100-COLUMBUS, OHIO 43220-2010 – PHONE: (614) 457-6371 – FAX: 457-6372



For Immediate Release

July 23, 2008

FORMAL CHARGES FILED AGAINST THE COLUMBUS SYMPHONY WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

MUSICIANS TO PRESENT BENEFIT CONCERT LED BY ALESSANDRO SICILIANI THIS SATURDAY

Today the Central Ohio Federation of Musicians, Local 103, AFM filed unfair labor practice charges against the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Inc. for violating the collective bargaining agreement between the Union and the Board by locking out the Musicians of the CSO on June 1, 2008 and for failing to bargain in good faith with the Union in an effort to negotiate a successor agreement for next season.

The Board ceased all wages required under the current contract effective June 1st and terminated all benefits effective July 1st. A formal grievance previously filed by the Union as a result of the lock out will receive a hearing by an arbitrator from the American Arbitration Association in late October or early November. The Union expects to prevail which will result in a debt to the Musicians of approximately $820,000.

Since the Board publicly announced its plan last January to cut $3 million dollars from next season’s budget, a 25% reduction to $9.5 million, it has not wavered from that position. Since last April when negotiations began, the Board has consistently demanded that the Musicians accept cuts much greater than 25%, far beyond anything that most working people could afford to accept in central Ohio.

In response to today’s announcement by the Board of the cancellation of all concerts through November, Douglas Fisher, President of Local 103 said, “While this news is no surprise to us we are deeply disappointed that the real leaders and decision makers in Columbus, the people who are controlling the CSO Board, are allowing the deliberate execution of the orchestra. Columbus is now the largest city in the country without a comparable full time orchestra.”

This Saturday, July 26th at 7:30PM in Veterans Memorial Auditorium, the Musicians will present a concert which will unite them with former CSO Music Director Alessandro Siciliani in a program of operatic favorites and the Dvorak 8th Symphony. Today the Musicians invited all members of the CSO Board to attend.

The final orchestra concert of the summer will take place on Saturday, August 2nd with CSO Music Director Junichi Hirokami leading the Musicians and members of the Ohio State Marching Band in a program to be announced. For tickets and further details on both concerts, please visit www.mcsconcerts.org.

For further information please contact Douglas Fisher at 614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also, please visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official website of the CSO Musicians for additional information.




CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.

1585 BETHEL RD., SUITE 100-COLUMBUS, OHIO 43220-2010 – PHONE: (614) 457-6371 – FAX: 457-6372

For Immediate Release

May 29, 2008

Columbus Symphony Musicians Seek Mediation and Continued Operations–

Cincinnati and Cleveland Orchestra Musicians Urge Support from the City

The Musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra are seeking support from the Governor, Mayor, and City Council to urge the CSO Board to accept non-binding mediation in an effort to resolve the five-month old crisis and to continue operations beyond the end of this week. On Memorial Day, the Musicians met with Board representatives to discuss a new financial plan proposed last week by the Musicians. After several hours of discussion, the Symphony rejected the Musicians’ plan because the Board refused to recognize the average “in-kind” donation component of $1.6 million each season in the creation of the Symphony budget for next season.

The Musicians then proposed to the Board a comprehensive Mediation proposal and are waiting for a reply. Yesterday, Columbus Symphony Orchestra Committee Chair Jim Akins, wrote on behalf of the Musicians to Governor Strickland, Mayor Coleman, and City Council President Mentel, asking them to contact CSO Board Chair Robert Trafford to urge the Board to accept the mediation proposal in an effort to save the orchestra.

The Musicians also received a joint letter signed by members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra urging the City to find a way to support and sustain the orchestra (see copy attached).

For further information please contact Douglas Fisher at 614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also, please visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official website of the CSO Musicians for additional information.

####

 


A Joint Letter from the Musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra

May 20, 2008

The musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra are writing to express our dismay at the decision of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra management and board of trustees to cease operations on June 1, 2008. This decision can only be attributed to short-sighted leadership. Thriving orchestras in smaller cities such as Nashville, Kansas City, Fort Worth and Raleigh/Durham demonstrate the possibilities for success in stark contrast to the Columbus Symphony leadership’s lack of vision.

We urge the Columbus community to find the dedication and the continuing financial support necessary to sustain a vital major symphony orchestra for the following reasons:

* Columbus is Ohio’s largest city and the capital of Ohio. The lack of a prominent orchestra there would reflect poorly on the cultural level of the entire state.

* The highly-educated, creative knowledge worker is the future of business development in all cities. A symphony orchestra is as much a part of attracting and retaining these workers as universities, libraries, museums and other parts of the cultural infrastructure.

* One of the great American cultural accomplishments of the 20th century was to bring access to top-quality performing arts to cities across the country. The loss of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra would represent a setback for the 21st century.

* The Columbus Symphony is the backbone of the Columbus arts community. Any child who studies music lessons or plays in a youth orchestra, or anyone who attends opera, ballet or chamber music performances, has likely encountered Columbus Symphony musicians. These musicians have dedicated both their professional careers and their lives to the enrichment of the entire metropolitan area.

* Music is a vital part of our heritage. Whether people know it from Bugs Bunny cartoons or a symphony subscription, it speaks to something universal in the human soul.

We call upon the Columbus community to find symphony leadership that will broaden the orchestra’s ties to the community and champion its music, rather than use a few other struggling orchestras as an excuse for under-performing. Ohio’s capital city should set its goals high and accept nothing less than success.

Signed,

The Musicians of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra

 

 


May 26, 2008

Today in negotiations the musicians' new financial plan of May 20 was proposed and rejected. Subsequently the following proposal was made and we are now waiting for a response from the Board of Trustees.

CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.

1585 BETHEL RD., SUITE 100-COLUMBUS, OHIO 43220-2010 – PHONE: (614) 457-6371 – FAX: 457-6372

Proposal to the Board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra to Continue Operations beyond May 31, 2008

May 26, 2008

The Central Ohio Federation of Musicians, Local 103, AFM on behalf of the Musicians of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, propose to the Board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra that operations continue beyond May 31, 2008 under the following conditions:

1. All previous proposals exchanged between the Symphony and the Local shall be immediately withdrawn.

2. Negotiations shall commence as soon as possible with the assistance of a third party mediator selected by mutual agreement between the Symphony and the Local.

3. A Mediation Committee comprised of five (5) people who are not current board members, musicians, staff members, or Local members, and who are selected by mutual agreement between the Symphony and the Local, shall be formed to assist the third party mediator, the Symphony, and the Local to reach an agreement.

 



May 20, 2008

MUSICIANS PRESS CONFERENCE



Bruce Ridge, Chair of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians
makes a presentation at the press conference of May 20, 2008

 

Above: Douglas Fisher, president of the Central Ohio Federation of Musicians and second bassoonist of the
Columbus Symphony Orchestra briefly summarizes at a press conference in Columbus on May 20, 2008.

 

View the entire May 20 Press conference on

Part 1 Bruce Ridge, Chair of ICSOM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTkeyGU6zmw

Part 2 Dan LaMacchia, see his reports below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgwdneP95z8


 

Symphony De Novo (343K pdf)

CSO Fact Sheet (127K pdf)

 

Part 3 CSO Chair James Akins and Doug Fisher
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZUbWyjSj_A

Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfvbmrNQRT0

Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T65BoaD9R00



Summary of the Financial Plan Proposed by the Musicians
of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for the 2008-09 Season

May 20, 2008

(see the press coverage of this)

Income:

Total Cash from Ticket Sales, Donations, Sold Services, and Grants $9,500,000
Total "In-Kind" Services and Donations (based on four-year average) $1,600,000
Total Income $11,100,000

Expense:

Total Musician Expense $5,000,000
Total Non-Musician Expense $6,100,000
Total Expense $11,100,000

- Achieves a balanced budget based upon cash income of $9.5 million, which the board and corporate leadership believes to be the maximum amount possible

- Recognizes the consistent and substantial amount of "in-kind" services and donations which support non-musician expenses

- Results in a $500,000 reduction in musician expense, which when added to the $1.3 million in concessions given three years ago equals $1.8 million in total musician concessions

- Allocates 45% of the total expense budget to musician expenses, which is in the middle of the ICSOM orchestra average range of 40% to 50%

- Preserves the present number of full-time and per-service musicians

- Maintains the orchestra's high quality which has taken decades to achieve



All figures obtained from American Federation of Musicians' "Wage Scales and Conditions in the Symphony Orchestra" for ICSOM (International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians) Orchestras, 2007-2008 Season.

*These figures were not available for the 2007-2008 season; 2006-2007 figures were used instead.

There are 50 ICSOM Orchestras, however the Kennedy Center Orchestra had no budget information included.


April 25, 2008

PRESS RELEASE

CENTRAL OHIO FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS LOCAL 103 A.F. OF M.

1585 BETHEL RD., SUITE 100-COLUMBUS, OHIO 43220-2010 – PHONE: (614) 457-6371 – FAX: 457-6372

Douglas J. Fisher
President

Vaughn F. Wiester
Secretary-Treasurer

Michael Buccicone
Vice-President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2008

Columbus Symphony Musicians Unanimously Vote to Reject Board’s “Final Offer”

Last night, the members of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra unanimously voted by secret ballot to reject the CSO Board’s “final offer” for a new contract which would take effect next season. The offer called for a 40% annual salary cut from all 53 Full-Time Musicians with no restoration in additional years. The current minimum annual salary is $55,200. Under the Board’s proposal it would be slashed to $33,000. The Board’s offer would also require Musicians to pay 30% of their monthly health insurance premiums, up to $480 per month for Musicians with family coverage. In addition, the wages per rehearsal and concert for part time Musicians would be reduced from $150 to $100. The value of these cuts from the Musician’s pockets would be approximately $1.4 million for next season.

Previously the Board rejected the Musician’s proposal to accept a 6.5% annual salary cut, to reduce monthly health insurance payments in return, but to share in future premium increases, and to leave vacant any non-principal chair during long term leaves of absence throughout the contract. Depending on the final number of vacancies, this would result in savings next season of approximately $500,000. Three years ago, the Musicians agreed to an 11% annual salary cut which resulted in total savings over the past two and a half years of $1.3 million.

Early in the negotiation process, the Musicians proposed that a third party consultant who specializes in orchestra management be selected by mutual agreement and brought in to evaluate the situation and to make recommendations to both the Board and the Musicians. The Board immediately rejected that proposal insisting that no assistance was needed to resolve matters. They later offered to accept the assistance of a consultant, but only in the future after a new contract is reached.

The Board has told the Musicians that there may not be enough money to continue operations beyond the end of this month without agreement on a new contract for next season. Because the Board’s proposal was presented as a “final offer”, they will not consider any further proposals from the Musicians.

Douglas Fisher, President of the Central Ohio Federation of Musicians, Local 103 AFM, the union which represents the CSO Musicians stated, “We are disappointed that the Board has rejected immediate assistance from an orchestra management consultant to advise both them and the Musicians. The longer this crisis continues the more Musicians we will lose. So far we have lost four high-profile Musicians to other full time jobs next season and that number will likely increase. It has taken decades for this small group of Musicians to develop into the high quality ensemble that it is today. Because there are only 53 full time Musicians, losing even a small number of them has a profound effect on the orchestra’s quality.”

Jim Akins, Chair of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Committee and Principal Tuba said, “Key economic data even in today’s economy proves that central Ohio has the means to support this orchestra at an even higher level and that our region is as strong economically as the four major cities which surround it. Yet the orchestra’s annual budget is two to three times smaller than the orchestras in those cities. Central Ohio deserves an orchestra of high quality and I hope that those who care will step up and refuse to let it die”.

For further information please contact Douglas Fisher at 614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also, please visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official website of the CSO Musicians for detailed financial information on the CSO and how it compares to surrounding cities.

####


How does the CSO compare to the four major cities which surround it?

- The economy of the Columbus region is stronger than, or on par with, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh.

- The annual budgets of the orchestras from those other cities range from $27 to $42 million. The Columbus budget is $12 million.

- The minimum salaries in those other cities range from $75 to $110 thousand each year. Columbus musicians earn $55 thousand.

- The number of full-time musicians in those other cities range from 87 to 100. Columbus has 53

- The endowments of those other cities are all over $100 million. Columbus has only $14 million left, which is held in trust by the Columbus Foundation, after spending all of its unrestricted endowment to pay for the deficits from the past several years.

- Of the top 50 orchestras in the USA, Columbus ranks 26th in annual salary and 48th in number of full-time musicians

Sources:
+ U.S. Census Data, www.factfinder.census.gov
* American Federation of Musicians, www.afm.org


City Comparison by County


*All figures obtained from the 2006 U.S. Census found at www.factfinder.census.gov.

+Cost of living comparison value found at Sperling’s Bestplaces – www.bestplaces.net/col/

**All figures obtained from American Federation of Musicians’ “Wage Scales and Conditions in the Symphony Orchestra” for ICSOM Orchestras, 2006-2007 Season.


A Ten Year Look at Columbus Symphony Finances

Total Income and Expense figures are from Audit reports provided by the CSO.
Total Musician Expense figures from expense statements provided by the CSO.

Over the past ten years:
Total Expense has increased an average of 5.5% each year.
Total Non-Musician Expense has increased an average of 7% each year.
Total Musician Expense has increased an average of 4% each year.
Total Income has increased an average of 2.7% each year.


1997-1998 Season
Total Income $8,239,030
Total Expense 8,080,911
Total Musician Expense 3,758,019
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 47%
Total Surplus for the Season 158,119

1998-1999 Season

Total Income $9,115,917
Total Expense 8,458,399
Total Musician Expense 3,771,371
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 45%
Total Surplus for the Season 657,518

1999-2000 Season
Total Income $9,217,966
Total Expense 8,733,148
Total Musician Expense 4,099,746
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 47%
Total Surplus for the Season 484,818

2000-2001 Season
Total Income $10,655,757
Total Expense 10,556,647Total Musician Expense 4,573,748
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 43%
Total Surplus for the Season 99,110

2001-2002 Season
Total Income $10,402,520
Total Expense 10,379,212
Total Musician Expense 4,628,891
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 45%
Total Surplus for the Season 23,308

2002-2003 Season
Total Income $9,769,816
Total Expense 11,072,526
Total Musician Expense 4,965,135
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 45%
Total Loss for the Season ($1,302,710)

2003-2004 Season (*14 months of data, see note below)
Total Income $13,879,645
Total Expense 14,783,795
Total Musician Expense 5,929,207
Percentage of Total Expense for Musician Expense 40%
Total Loss for the Season ($904,150)

2004-2005 Season
Total Income $12,225,263
Total Expense 12,525,073
Total Musician Expense 4,945,016
Percentage of Total Expense for Artistic Staff Expense 39%
Total Loss for the Season ($299,810)

2005-2006 Season
Total Income $11,816,696
Total Expense 12,639,062
Total Musician Expense 5,028,589
Percentage of Total Expense for Artistic Staff Expense 39%
Total Loss for the Season ($822,366)

2006-2007 Season
Total Income $10,436,301
Total Expense 12,610,768
Total Musician Expense 5,271,660
Percentage of Total Expense for Artistic Staff Expense 42%
Total Loss for the Season ($2,174,467)

*Note: From 1997-98 to 2002-03, the fiscal year began on July 1st and ended on June 30th. In 2003-04, the end date was extended to August 31st and the figures for this year contain 14 months of data. For all seasons thereafter, the fiscal year began on September 1st and ended on August 31st.


Accumulated Deficit since June 30, 2002 = $5,503,503

Average Annual Loss since June 30, 2002 = $1,100,700


March 15, 2008

The Columbus Dispatch - Balance A Top Goal In Symphony Stories?

Today a commentary appeared in the Columbus Dispatch with the truly laughable title, "Balance a top goal in Symphony stories" by Editor Mary Lynn Plageman. Since the Columbus Dispatch, in collusion with the management and board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, broke the first story on the board and management's plan to fire 22 of us and exact a 30% cut in salary and benefits from the rest, all of their reporting has been completely one-sided.

Official spokespersons for the musicians have spent hours speaking with Dispatch reporters on the record, but despite that fact, few quotes have been printed while numerous and lengthy quotes by the board and management have appeared. Since they broke the story last January, the musicians have issued two press releases. Both were completely ignored by the Dispatch.

In response to their grand editorial trumpeting the paper's support of the board and management's plan, we requested an op-ed piece of equal length and submitted two rebuttals from the Chairman and General Counsel of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians. The Dispatch rejected our request and refused to print either rebuttal.

Finally in a last-ditch effort to convey our side of the story, we requested and were granted a meeting with the Dispatch Editorial Board. In that meeting the editors politely listened and asked intelligent questions which led us to believe that they finally understood the true problems facing the CSO from our perspective. But yesterday's front page story confirmed that nothing has changed and the Dispatch continues to report only one side of the story.

Though there is much in yesterday's story to rebut, the most shocking omission is the fact that early this week we finally received from the management and board, after weeks of classic union-busting tactics, a formal request to meet with them to discuss the situation in accordance with our contract. The day before the Dispatch story appeared, we accepted their request and offered to meet with them as early as this Monday. None of this was reported by the Dispatch and instead, a quote from Executive Director Tony Beadle, falsely claiming that we have refused for weeks to meet with them, was printed.

The Columbus Dispatch has no interest in balanced reporting and today's commentary is an admission of this truth. Why else would they print this defensive piece the day after their latest attack on the musicians?


February 26, 2008

Columbus Symphony Musicians Vote To Allow Live Recording

Next week’s Columbus Symphony Orchestra program will be recorded live for the international recording company Denon, which will release it on compact disc. At the personal request of Music Director Junichi Hirokami, the Musicians voted to allow this recording under a new national recording agreement which allows live recordings to be produced for a tenth of what a normal studio recording of the same program would cost.

“Although the Musicians will be paid far less than usual for this recording, we want to memorialize the artistic summit achieved by the CSO, which has taken decades to reach, before it may be destroyed next season by controlling members of the CSO Board and Executive Director Tony Beadle, who are publicly advocating the firing of 22 Musicians at the end of this summer”, said Douglas Fisher, a member of the orchestra and President of the Central Ohio Federation of Musicians, the Musician’s Union.

Most of the recording expenses will be personally underwritten by former CSO Board Chair Gene D’Angelo. “We are most grateful to Gene for his long standing support of the CSO”, said Jim Akins, Chair of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Committee, which represents the Musicians. “Gene personifies the high degree of passion and commitment for the orchestra that the present leadership lacks, and which is so desperately needed.”

The CSO will record Symphony No. 5 and the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Peter Tchaikovsky for the Denon release. George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue will also be recorded for possible release in the future.

For further information please contact Douglas Fisher at 614-783-3684 or Jim Akins at 614-361-1481. Also, please visit www.symphonymusicians.com, the official website of the CSO Musicians.


January 29, 2008

HUNDREDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD RALLY TO SUPPORT THE COLUMBUS SYMPHONY MUSICIANS AND CONDEMN THE BOARD'S FUTURE PLANS

Since the announcement by the Board of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra less than two weeks ago of their intention to fire 22 Musicians at the end of this August and impose an almost 30% salary and benefit cut from the remaining 31 Musicians by cutting 12 weeks from next season, interest and support has poured in from all over the country and as far away as London and Berlin condemning the Board's plan.

The plan was developed in secret over many weeks and the Musicians and Music Director were deliberately excluded from the planning process. "No orchestra has ever solved its problems on the backs of Musicians", said Douglas Fisher, a member of the orchestra and President of AFM Local 103, the union which represents the Musicians. "The cuts sought by the Board would be devastating to the Musicians and their families and we will not accept them because they will destroy the high artistic quality which has taken decades to build. The deliberate exclusion of the Musicians, the one group of constituents who possess the greatest institutional memory and experience, is evidence of the Board's incompetence and negligence."

Only two and a half years ago, the Musicians agreed to accept salary and benefit cuts worth $1.3 million in return for the Board's assurance that this donation would enable them to leverage additional support and thus stabilize and advance the orchestra in the future. "The Board failed to keep this promise", said James Akins, Principal Tuba and Chair of the Orchestra Committee, which is elected by the Musicians to represent their interests. "Instead of raising money and hiring the right people to run the orchestra, they continued to burn what little endowment was left and hired unqualified and inexperienced people to fill critical Management vacancies. This is not a financial problem, this is a governance problem".

For more detailed and complete information, click here.