Indy Musicians Press Release

from Robert Goodlett, Indianapolis Symphony
September 7, 2012

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Musicians make last ditch effort to save the first two concerts of the season. Symphony Society last week threatened to cancel concerts.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Musicians (ISO musicians) announced today that after a series of negotiations to settle on a new contract, they have proposed a two- month contract extension to keep the music on the stage.

Last week, the Symphony Society threatened to cancel the Classical season opener on September 14thand 15th with Krzysztof Urbanski and the Pops season opener on September 21-23 with Jack Everly and Time for Three if the musicians did not agree to their demands by today.

“This week, working with a mediator, the musicians and the society have made some progress,” said Richard Graef, chairman of the ISO musicians negotiating committee. “This proposed two-month contract extension will keep the music on stage for the people of Indiana and allows for a period where we ‘play and talk,’ which has occurred in previous contract negotiations with the Society. It is unprecedented for the musicians to offer concessions during the ‘play and talk’ period.”

As set forth in the proposed contract extension, the musicians would play at a weekly rate of $1250, which is 16.7 percent lower than their current weekly rate.

Since 2003, the concessions made by the ISO musicians in their contracts have saved the Society more than $7 million.

The musicians also have provided 15 dates between September 13 and November 8, 2012 to the Society so both parties can continue negotiations.

Per the request of the mediator, both the musicians and the Society agreed to withhold public comment on the negotiations this week. That period ended today at approximately 5:51 p.m.