According to Charleston, S.C.'s Post and Courier, the musicians of the Charleston Symphony Orchestra have voted to leave the union that has represented them for years--Local 502 of the American Federation of Musicians.
Out of 175 eligible orchestra members, 76 cast a ballot on the issue. They voted 49-27 to leave the union, notes acting principal trumpet Michael Smith, who also chairs the orchestra's negotiating committee. Individual musicians may choose to remain in the union, but the union will no longer serve as the CSO musicians' bargaining agent.
Smith told the Post and Courier's Adam Parker, "For the health of our organization, it's really important that the musicians have a collaborative working relationship with the board and management." He added, "Under the previous conditions it became virtually impossible to do that."
Twice in recent years, contract negotiations between CSO musicians and management have nearly ground to a halt. The orchestra's precarious financial situation caused one of the near-standstills, further complicated by the ensemble's existing obligations to its musicians.
The combined woes forced the Charleston Symphony Orchestra to end its 2009-10 season early--with some musicians and managers even considering bankruptcy.
On the surface, the CSO musicians' decision to sever ties with AFM 502--especially so in a right-to-work state like South Carolina--certainly seems ill-advised. As with organized labor, orchestral unions intend to serve as advocates for the rights and interests of the worker.
Ultimately, losing the representation of the American Federation of Musicians might just mean less bargaining power for CSO musicians in future contract negotiations with the orchestra's management.
Of course, Charleston is hardly alone here. Long-term contract disputes have decimated the Minnesota Orchestra, as well as having adverse effects on many other musical organizations.
Will other U.S. orchestras, no doubt suffering similar fates, choose to walk out on their unions? Moreover, will such desertion help, or hurt, them in the end?
Either way, Classicalite is waiting--breath abated--to see what happens next down in the Holy City.
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