It seems that cooler heads have prevailed in Fort Worth. Last week the musicians' union of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra authorized a strike in the face of management's steadfast demand that they take an 8.7 percent pay cut, mostly through a reduction of paid time off. It was announced Friday, however, that the symphony's management had agreed to maintain wages through at least July, while they continue with contract negotiations.
After being talked into taking a more than 13 percent reduction at the time of the country's economic crisis, the 65 full-time musicians that make up the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra seemed ready to go to war over management's recent proposal that they give up an addition 8.7 percent in order to balance the organization's budget.
While speaking to the Kera News, union president Ken Krause made it clear that the musicians feel that any shortcomings in the budget are due to a lackluster approach to securing worthwhile donations:
"They're just not raising the money...I mean that's their job. That's not happening.
"So what they're trying to do is balance the budget on the backs of the musicians."
Despite their disagreements, it was announced Friday evening that Fort Worth Symphony management had agreed to a one-year deal that would leave wages where they were while the continue to negotiate the terms of a longer contract.
Although the fix seems temporary at best, the Symphony musicians released a statement Friday at 8 p.m. that declared a victory for the union and the rights of audience as well as the musicians (via Dallas Morning News):
"Withdrawing their threat to impose pay cuts of 8.7% last Monday, management has agreed to immediately return to bargaining a new agreement and maintain 2014-15 wages and working conditions through July 31, 2016.
"Our agreement is a victory not only for this orchestra, but for our audiences, downtown, and greater Fort Worth.
"But this isn't the end -- we continue to fight for the growth of this orchestra, reflecting Fort Worth's thriving economy and honoring the legacy of Cowboys and Culture."
Hopefully, the powers that be at Fort Worth Symphony will be able to work things out without things becoming quite so volatile in the future.
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