FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MAY 14, 2016
PHILHARMONIC MUSICIANS PERFORM FINAL CONCERT OF THE SEASON STILL WITHOUT AGREEMENT
Contact - Campbell MacDonald
260-420-4446 – K581@hotmail.com

Musicians of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic will perform tonight’s final concert of the 71st season still without an agreement.

The musicians, represented by the Fort Wayne Musicians Association, Local 58 of the American Federation of Musicians have been in bargaining sessions since their agreement expired December 31, 2014.

The musicians plan to leaflet before tonight’s performance to acknowledge appreciation for their loyal concert goers and supporters and to provide links to the musicians’ social media site for those interested in finding out more about the issues being faced at the bargaining table.

Prior to the 2013 season the musicians accepted a concessionary contract which reduced the core (full time) musicians season length from 40 weeks to 33 weeks. This amounted to a 17.5% reduction in wages, adjusting a section musician’s annual salary down from $27,221.60 to $22,457.82. A full time section musician earns $680.54 per week. The musicians accepted these wage cuts at a time when the Philharmonic was carrying a $2.5 million deficit. The deficit has been erased and the musicians seek a return of their lost weeks.

The Philharmonic has not been willing to commit, in a new agreement, to the restoration of weeks or replacing three core violin positions vacant since 2009.

Bargaining for a new agreement continues. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled.

Further information can be found on our website at www.fwpmusicians.com

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