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Letter to the editor

Orchestra votes to ratify

The three-year labor contract includes payroll reductions and a shorter season.

By JOHN FLEMING, Times Staff Writer
Published December 10, 2007

Payroll cuts were required because the orchestra had deficits the past two fiscal years as its budget ballooned to more than $11-million despite dwindling attendance.
	[John Pendygraft | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG - Musicians of the Florida Orchestra voted to ratify a new three-year labor contract Sunday night. But it was a bittersweet conclusion to lengthy negotiations between the American Federation of Musicians and the orchestra's board and management.

The musicians' annual payroll was reduced about $300,000 from the previous contract, with the season cut by four weeks, down to 29 weeks plus a week of paid vacation in 2007-08.

Under the new contract, a musician's base salary this season is $27,450; last season it was $30,090. Next season's base is $28,500. In the third year of the contract, when the season expands a week, the base rises to $30,380.

Weekly pay is up slightly from the previous contract; the cuts come from the reduction in work weeks. Virtually every musician receives more than the base salary because of seniority and individually negotiated deals. Principals are paid extra.

In a key concession by musicians, who have been playing without a contract since September, management was given flexibility regarding the size of the orchestra. Instead of the 80 full-time musicians covered in the previous contract, the size will range from 75 to 80. The orchestra now contains 74 players, and one vacant position, principal flute, has auditions scheduled.

Cuts were required because the orchestra had deficits the past two fiscal years as its budget ballooned to more than $11-million despite dwindling attendance. Subscription revenue is down by $300,000 from last season. Public funding has shrunk as a consequence of efforts at property tax reform.

Management is also feeling the pain, with five staff positions cut last week. In all, the orchestra is slashing $600,000 from the budget and plans a campaign to shore up its finances.

"It's going to be tough for the musicians, it's going to be tough for the management staff," said bass trombonist Harold Van Schaik, chairman of the orchestra committee. "This contract is a leap of faith by all of us."

Chairman James Gillespie today plans to convene the executive committee, which is expected to ratify the contract.

John Fleming can be reached at 727 893-8716 or fleming@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 9, 2007, 23:39:23]